Sometimes it seems like the the world of higher education has its own language. Below you will find a listing of common terms used by many schools in their calendars and other literature. If you are trying to find a specific term, click on its first letter in the alphabet below to jump to that section of the glossary. | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | A Academic Resources The section of the Registrar’s Office where faculty and peer advisors are available to assist students with course selection, program requirements, etc. Admissions The section of the Registrar’s Office where advisors are available to answer questions about entrance to the University. B Bachelor’s Degree The first degree sought by a university student. Bookstore The Bookstore stocks new course textbooks, as well as a wide selection of general interest and reference books. Bursary A sum of money to provide financial assistance to students, based primarily on need, but sometimes including other conditions such as enrollment in a specific program of study. A student must apply for a bursary. C Calendar The publication which lists programs, courses, and academic rules and regulations. Some schools refer to it as a catalogue. Cashier’s Office The Cashier’s Office accepts all student tuition and other fee payments. Catalogue See calendar. Certificate programs Credit achieved in a certificate program is the equivalent of one to two years of university study, and may be applied towart a bachelor’s degree. Co-operative education Integrates work experience and academic studies; work semester jobs are related to a student’s major. Counseling Staffed by psychologists and graduate trainees, Counseling Services provide confidential support in many areas of concern, such as vocational counseling, lifestyle planning, relaxation planning, self-help programs, and understanding and resolving conflicts affection academic and personal development. Credit Hour The weight given to a course. A typical course provides three credit hours meaning labs, lectures, and tutorials account for three hours of instruction per week for one semester. A “full course load” will normally consist of five courses to total fifteen credit hours per semester. Some universities refer to these as hour credits or units of work. D Dean The academic head of a Faculty. Degree The designation (e.g. Bachelor of Science) earned by completion of a university program. Department or School An academic unit responsible for teaching a subject, e.g. Department of Biology, School of Kinesiology. E Elective A course which is not prescribed in your program and which you may choose. F Faculty An organizational academic unit made up of similar teaching departments and headed by a Dean, e.g. Faculty of Science, etc. “faculty” may also refer to the teaching staff of a university. G Grade Point Average A method of expressing a student’s average performance. Also the leading cause of student suicide on most campuses. Graduate Student A student working towards an advanced degree such as a Master’s or doctoral degree. H Honors Degree A program involving additional course work and maintenance of a specific average. Hour credit See credit hour. L Lab The practicum section of an applied course involving experimental research. Lecture The large class instructional segment of a course, usually two or more hours per week led by a professor. Lower Level Courses numbered 100 to 299, usually completed during the first four full semesters of a degree program. M Major The subject area in which a student concentrates within an academic program. Majors are usually declared at the beginning of the second full year of a degree program. O Orientation Sessions for new students, held before a semester begins, to familiarize them with university life. P Prerequisite A requirement that must be met before a student can take a particular course. Professor A person who does research and teaching at a university; usually holds a Ph.D. in a field of expertise. Program An organized group of courses (both elective and required) taken by a student. Many of the required courses are in a student’s major area of study. R Registrar The office of the Registrar is responsible for the admission, registration, and records of students; for the production of calendars; for the scheduling of classes and examination; for the issuing of transcripts and degrees; for the awarding of scholarships; and for the administration of bursaries and loans. Registration The choosing of your courses one to two months before each semester begins. S Scholarship A sum of money awarded to a student on the basis of academic merit. Semester An academic year is usually divided into two or three semesters. Seminar A small class, normally held in senior years, which makes possible greater discussion than in a lecture. Student Society A group of students and staff that promotes, directs, and administers all student activities at a university. T Teaching Assistant A person, normally a graduate student, who leads the tutorial or discussion section of a course. Transcript The official record of a student’s courses, grades, and program at an institution. Tuition The fees students pay toward the cost of their studies. Tutorial The small-group discussion segment of a course, usually one hour in length. U Undergraduate Student A student working toward a bachelor’s degree or certificate. Unit of Work See credit hour. Upper Level Courses numbered 300 to 499, usually completed during the final four full semesters of a degree program.