Glossary of University Terms
Like any professional domain, a university uses specialized ' jargon'. Here are some of the most common terms that you may come across when doing your research or when speaking to university representatives. Remember, we are here to help. If you would like clarification on any additional words or expressions, or would simply like to request additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us: admissions@smu.ca.
'A' number: your student ID number. You can find your A number in all communications from Admissions.
Academic Advisor: an individual who helps students map out their academic plans, select courses, and adhere to academic regulations. Click here to learn more about your Academic Advisor.
Academic Calendar: created each academic year, the Academic Calendar provides guidelines for first year course selection, academic regulations for each major offered at Saint Mary’s University, and descriptions for each course that could be offered during an academic year at the University. It is important to hold on to your copy of the Academic Calendar because it represents your contract with the University.
Academic year: consists of two semesters and runs from September to April. First semester lasts from September to December and second semester lasts from January to April. Saint Mary’s also offers summer course offerings during two summer sessions: May-June and July-August.
Advanced Standing: Students who have begun postsecondary studies at other universities or colleges and wish to come to Saint Mary’s to complete their degrees are considered to be “transfer students.” Advanced Standing is the number of credit or course equivalents you will be awarded towards your degree at Saint Mary's University, based on the courses you completed at other accredited universities or colleges.
Bachelors: the first degree you can complete after completing high school. Saint Mary’s offers bachelors degrees in Arts , Business and Science. A Bachelors degree is typically a four-year program.
Bursary: an amount of money given to a student based solely on financial need. Click here to learn more about bursaries offered at Saint Mary’s University. Compare with “scholarships” below.
Certificate: a program of study which can be taken as an add-on to a degree or separate from a degree. For example, you might take a Bachelor of Arts plus a Certificate of Japanese Studies, or a Bachelor of Commerce plus a Certificate in Human Resource Management.
Credit hours: the total number of hours required to complete a degree program. For example, a four year Bachelors degree is comprised of 120 credit hours. A course completed in one semester consists of three credit hours, while a full-year course consists of six credit hours. Students completing a full course load during the regular academic year complete 30 credit hours.
Dean: the chief administrative officer of a Faculty. This person is also an experienced professor who oversees all aspects of the academic program within his or her Faculty.
Department: a unit within a Faculty, specializing in one major area of study. One of the professors in the department acts as Department Chair.
Diploma: like the Certificate, a Diploma is earned after completing a certain number of courses. For example, students can earn a Diploma in Engineering before completing the final two years of a Bachelor of Engineering.
Faculty: When spelled with a capital F, refers to an academic unit offering its own programs, for example Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Science. When spelled with a small f, refers to instructors in a Faculty.
GPA: grade point average. Each letter grade has an associated numeric grade point value. A grade point average (GPA) is an average of these grade points, and is used to measure your progress. For example, you may need to achieve a minimum GPA to renew a scholarship.
Major: a specialization in a specific discipline that makes up about a third of your degree program. Generally students choose a major based on their area of interest or their strengths.
Minor: similar to a major, but consists of fewer courses. Students often choose a minor as a second area of interest to complement their major.
Pre-requisite: a course that should be successfully completed before enrolling in a higher-level course.
Registrar’s Office: the office holding student records for all students at the institution. The Registrar’s Office also issues transcripts, organizes convocation, and coordinates course registration.
Residence: refers to a variety of living situations on the University campus—rooms, apartments, and suites.
S number: your username to access computers on campus. Once you have received your A number from the Admissions Office, you can obtain your S number by visiting activate.smu.ca.
Scholarship: a monetary award offered based on academic merit. Compare with “bursary” above.
Self Service Banner: an online portal used by Saint Mary’s students to add/ drop courses, pay tuition, view account balances, obtain exam schedules, perform degree audits, and more.
Transfer Student If you pursued any post-secondary education after high school, be it college or university, last year or a decade ago, Saint Mary’s University considers you to be a Transfer Student. You are not alone. 25% of undergraduates at Saint Mary’s University started their studies somewhere else.
Visiting Student You are considered a visiting student if you are currently enrolled in a degree or diploma program at another university/college and want to take courses at Saint Mary's University.
Undergraduate: describes the level of study which you can begin after completing high school, and includes a Bachelors degree, a Diploma, or a Certificate. Saint Mary’s is a primarily undergraduate university, which allows students to have research opportunities and personal contact with professors during their first degree.
For definitions of additional terms relating to transcripts and academic regulations, please click here.