As a move to improve its delivery of instruction, Mapúa pioneered in the country the quarter system or the Quarterm, which divides the academic year into four terms. Since 2002, the University has proven the increase in effectiveness of its instruction with the Quarterm through the students’ performance. Below is the comparison between the semestral system and the Quarterm.
|
Semestral |
Quarter |
Units Full Program (BS ChE) |
208 |
208 |
Units per Term |
22 max |
15 max |
Courses per Term |
7-8 |
4-5 |
Units per Year |
44-53 |
60 |
Hours per Week per Unit |
1 |
1.5 |
Classroom Hours per Week |
22 |
22.5 |
Terms per Year |
2 plus summer |
4 |
Weeks per Term |
18 |
11 |
Years to Graduate |
5 |
4 |
Quarterm Calendar
Term |
Start |
End |
Vacation |
1 |
1st week of August |
3rd week of October |
1 week |
2 |
4th week of October |
3rd week of January |
2 weeks Christmas |
3 |
1st week of February |
3rd week of April |
1 – 2 weeks inclusive of Holy Week |
4 |
2nd week of May |
3rd week of July |
1 week |
Competitive Edge
Quarterm provides an opportunity to students to be in the mainstream of a productive career in the shortest possible time. The system allows a full engineering program to be completed in about four to four and a half years, and an IT program in about 3.25 years at no additional cost. Graduates have the option to pursue advance programs leading to an MS degree, or further take a specialized program to upgrade their academic credentials and enhance their competitiveness in a highly selective global job market environment.
Greater Focus
Instead of taking 7 to 8 courses per term (for semestral), a student will be taking fewer courses in any given quarter. While the examinations may be spaced at shorter intervals, the total number of examinations a student takes in any given term is less. Less “shifting of gears” will be required as a student juggles his study hours for the different courses.
Improved Performance
Mapúa’s implementation of the QuarTerm has shown improved performance among its students. Higher grades have been obtained with more students qualifying for academic scholarships. Mapúa graduates under the QuarTerm have also shown impressive performance in the board examinations.
Flexibility
Under the QuarTerm, students have the option to finish a five-year program in just about four to four and a half years, or a four-year program in just about three to three and a half years.