Load Management

Effective load management is crucial for academic success, especially in an online learning environment like MMDC. Load management involves understanding the maximum number of courses you can take, the policies for requesting an overload, and the regulations surrounding prerequisite and co-requisite courses. This guide provides detailed information on these aspects to help you plan your academic journey effectively, ensuring you stay on track and achieve your educational goals within the timeline you've personally set without overwhelming yourself. 

Maximum Course Load

The maximum student load per regular term is generally seventeen (17) or as prescribed by the curriculum of the student based on the program and specialization. 

Enrolling in 17 units a term renders the student a full-time status. 

Overload

An overload is defined as enrolling in more than the maximum course load per term, typically over 17 units. In some cases, this allows students to take additional courses beyond the standard load.

• Eligibility Criteria:

  • Academic Standing: A strong academic record is required to request for a study overload. 
  • Completion Status: A student requesting for study overload must be on their graduation year, or on their last 3 terms of study. It is strongly recommended however to maintain a low number of units to enroll in during the internship term which is the last term before graduation.
  • By Approval: Overload requests are for evaluation and approval by the Program Heads to ensure students can manage the additional courses without negatively impacting your academic performance.

• Application Procedure:

  • Application Period: Request for study overload must be requested after the grade posting day of the preceding term and before the start of the enrollment period when the student plans to take a study overload.
  • Formal Request: Student submits a formal request addressed to their Program Head. This request should include your reasons for needing the additional units, such as the need to graduate on time, prerequisites for advanced courses, or other academic goals.
  • Advisor Consultation: An academic advising session will then be scheduled to discuss the feasibility and implications of taking an overload.
  • Review and Approval: Approval is based on your academic history, current performance, and justification for the overload.

• Conditions and Restrictions:

  • Limits on Overload: Even if approved, there may be an upper limit on the number of additional units a student can take, to prevent overextension. This is based on the evaluation and approval of the Program Heads.

Pre-Requisite Course Regulation

Pre-requisite courses are courses which must be taken, completed and passed during the term before advanced courses may be taken. 

• Purpose: 
  • Prerequisites ensure that students have the necessary background knowledge and foundational skills to succeed in more advanced courses. They help maintain academic standards and improve the learning experience.

• Policy:

  • A student must complete and pass a prerequisite course before enrolling in subsequent courses. The Camu enrollment system will block enrollment in courses for which prerequisites have not been met to ensure compliance.
  • Prerequisites are listed in the Curriculum Plan and Per Term Course Offerings to help students plan and make it easy to see which courses need to be taken before advancing.

  • As prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education, courses taken and completed without satisfying the prescribed pre-requisites shall not be given credit. 

  • A student who receives a grade of INC (Incomplete) in a pre-requisite course shall not  be allowed to take its advanced courses. The student must first complete/pass the pre requisite course before he is allowed to take any of its advance courses.

  • In certain cases, a student may request to take a prerequisite alongside the advanced courses by obtaining approval from the Program Heads. This is typically granted to graduating students and if you can demonstrate equivalent knowledge or experience.

Co-Requisite Course Regullation

A co-requisite is a course which must be completed before or enrolled concurrently  with, the course for which it is prescribed.

Similarly, Lec and Lab courses needto be taken concurrently per term.