can someone explain how US credit system works

[todds]

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i'm from canada and a little confused on how the credit system works

for the requirements, schools want 8 semester hours of chem, 8 semesters hours of bio and so forth..but to graduate w/ a degree, you need to complete 120 semester hours

im guessing 8 semester hours = 1 full year...over here 6 credits = 1 full year..do i calculate my gpa according to semester hours? and what is a full course load in the US

Over here, its usually 30 credits per year is a full course load...usually 5 classes per semester...any info would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[Sprgrover]

At most US schools 12 semester/quarter hours is the bare minimum for full time status. Courses are usually worth three credit hours (meaning that you attend at least three lecture hours for that course per week). The majority of science courses have a three credit hour lecture component and a one or two credit lab component. Sometimes these are combined into a single grade worth four credits, for example, or are listed on the transcript as two courses: lecture and lab.

 

[princessfiona]

I am also a Canadian student- and I've figured out that a full year in science (biology,chem,phys) with a lab component is 8 credits, courses full year without lab are 6 credits. Nice to get credit for time spent in lab.

The GPA- I don't know if it is on the same scale-- if so then the GPA average for acceptance in US dental schools is lower than Canada.

 

[todds]

so...for example if i got an A in both semesters of chemistry w/ lab component, then itll be worth more in my gpa calculation than an "A" in another class w/o lab component?...if thats true..than thatll be sweet