Official Student Handbook 1994-1995 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).