Official Student Handbook 1993-94
Section 2 - GLOSSARY FOR NEW STUDENTS

ACADEMIC PROBATION - An academic status which alerts the student to
   the fact that his/her cumulative index has fallen below 2.0.

AVERAGE LOAD - Most students carry five courses which usually total 15
   to 16 credit hours. A full-time freshman may take a maximum of 17
   credit hours and a minimum of 12 hours. The maximum may only be
   exceeded with special permission from your faculty advisor and the
   dean of your college.

B.A. - Bachelor of Arts. The B.A. is a degree indicating that the
   student has selected courses from a variety of disciplines and, at
   the same time, has taken a substantial amount of work in one or
   two areas. The B.A. prepares the student for professional work or
   graduate study, depending upon the way the student selects
   required courses and electives.

B.S. - Bachelor of Science. The B.S. is a degree offered by all the
   colleges. Each degree varies in requirements, but all degrees
   consist of a specific program of required courses with fewer
   electives than the B.A. The B.S. is an in-depth, structured
   degree, preparing the student for a professional career or
   graduate study in the field he or she has chosen.

BLUE BOOKS - Most University essay tests are written in these exam
   books which may be purchased at the University Bookstore.

BLUE HEN - The "Fightin' Blue Hens" is the nickname of the athletic
   teams at the University of Delaware. The name refers to a regiment
   that fought in the Revolutionary War and is a tribute to their
   fighting ability. The yearbook is also entitled the Blue Hen.

COLLEGE - A degree-granting academic unit of the University. There are
   eight undergraduate colleges, each headed by a dean: College of
   Agricultural Sciences; College of Arts and Science; College of
   Business and Economics; College of Education; College of
   Engineering; College of Human Resources; College of Nursing; and
   College of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation. There are
   two graduate colleges: the College of Marine Studies; and the
   College of Urban Affairs and Public Policy.

COMPLEXES - Structurally similar groups of residence halls in the same
   physical location (e.g., Harrington complex).

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION - An oral or written examination whereby a
   student may receive credit from the University without
   registration for a course. This examination tests the competency
   gained through independent study, professional experience, or
   similar learning experience.

CREDIT HOUR - A credit hour is a unit of measurement used in
   determining the quantity of work taken by a student. It is roughly
   equivalent to one hour of class per week for each week of the
   semester. Most courses are three credit hours.

CUMULATIVE INDEX - A number which represents the average of all the
   earned grades. To arrive at a cumulative index, divide the total
   number of quality points earned by the total credit hours
   completed.

DELCAT - The libraries' electronic on-line card catalog system.

DROP/ADD - During the first two weeks of the semester, students can
   change their course schedules.

E110 - "Critical Reading and Writing," which is the required freshman
   English course emphasizing writing. Requirements include five
   themes plus a research paper. (Official course number has been
   changed to ENGL 110.)

FACULTY ADVISOR - An advisor acts as a major source of information and
   aids in course selection, degree planning and career counseling.
   All students are assigned advisors from the department or college
   in which they are enrolled.

FINALS - Examinations administered at the end of a semester.

FULL-TIME - Any matriculated student registered for 12 or more credit
   hours at the undergraduate level. Students pay full tuition and
   may live on campus.

G.P.A. - Grade point average.

GREEK - A member of a fraternity or sorority.

HABITRAIL - Student pedestrian overpass across South College Avenue.

HALL DIRECTOR - Manager of a residence hall who is responsible for the
   overall administration of the hall and supervision of the RAs.

HOURLY - A major examination. During an average semester, a student
   can expect to have one to four hourlies per course.

I.D. - University student identification card.

LISTENER - Registration in a course without receiving credit or grade;
   class attendance is required but class participation is not.

MAJORS - Principal programs or specializations of academic study.

MALL - The tree-lined area extending from Old College to Laurel Hall
   (home of the Student Health Service).

MATRICULATED - Any student officially admitted and enrolled at the
   University.

MID-TERMS - Examinations administered mid-way in the semester.

MID-TERM GRADES - Grades given only to freshmen, halfway through the
   first semester, to indicate the progress a student is making.

MINORS - Programs of academic study which require less intensive and
   comprehensive coursework than majors but offer greater coherence
   than taking a random group of courses in a specific subject area.

OLD COLLEGE - The oldest academic building on the campus is located at
   the corner of Main Street and North College Avenue. The
   surrounding campus buildings north of Main Street are frequently
   considered part of "Old College."

PART-TIME - The status of a matriculated student who registers for
   less than 12 credit hours. Tuition is paid on a per-credit-hour
   basis and the student may not live on campus.

PASS/FAIL - One course each semester may be taken with this
   designation. A letter grade is not given; the student either
   passes or fails. Credits earned in this way count only as
   electives, not as fulfilling either major or group requirements.

P.D.I. - A card which is electronically programmed to allow a student
   to gain access to his/her residence hall.

POINTS - Used as cash to buy food in on-campus dining service
   facilities; each point is equal to a penny.

PROLONGED ABSENCE - A lengthy absence from classes must be reported to
   your dean.

QUALITY POINT - The numerical value assigned to a letter grade per
   credit hour. A=4 quality points per credit hour, A-= 3.67, B+=
   3.33, B=3.00, B-= 2.67, etc.

RA - Resident Assistant. Upperclassmen who are members of the
   residence hall staff in each hall. They are available to all
   residents for discussion and advice.

REVIEW - The campus newspaper, available free of charge in the dining
   halls and at the Perkins Student Center Main Desk each Tuesday and
   Friday.

R.O.T.C. - Reserve Officer Training Corps. The University has two
   programs, Army and Air Force.

SEMESTER - A 14-week period of study. There are two semesters in an
   academic year.

SHUTTLE BUS - This free bus service runs along South College Avenue
   from north campus to the Delaware Field House. Alternate routes
   are available around campus and in Newark.

TA - Teaching assistant. A graduate student who assists a faculty
   member with a course or, in some cases, may teach a course.

WINTER SESSION - A special five-week session between the fall and
   spring semesters, which offers non-traditional as well as
   traditional courses, and study abroad opportunities.

WVUD - The student-operated campus radio station (91.3 FM).