A unit is the standard measurement of college and university work. One unit equals one hour of classroom work in most classes, predominantly those in lecture or lecture-discussion formats.
Students should expect to spend two hours of outside preparation for each one hour spent in class. Laboratory classes have three hours of work per week per unit. (Specialized performance classes such as athletics, drama and music require more than three hours per week per unit.)
Quarter units are equal to two-thirds of a semester unit. Conversely, a semester unit is equal to one and a half quarter units.