Undergraduate student advising glossary

Terms index

Terms

24 hour clock: Also know as "military time," this 24 hour clock is the time-keeping method used in the class schedule. The day runs from midnight to midnight. For instance, 2:00 pm would read as 14:00.

Academic Coordinator: Academic coordinators provide initial advising as well as on-going assistance in meeting WSU graduation requirements.

Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV): Currently registered students at WSU Vancouver are members of ASWSUV, the student government body. Students are represented through an elected student senate, an appointed judicial board, and an executive staff. Together the senate and executive staff plan and implement social, recreational, and cultural programs with a budget funded through Services and Activities (S&A) Fees.

Bachelor's Degree: The undergraduate degree offered by four-year colleges and universities.

Certificate program: A program designed to build skills in a specific area. Some may require a bachelor's degree prior to starting.

Certification: Minimum requirements (or standards) to major in a specific program.

College requirements: Requirements developed by the college under which a field of study falls. May include specific courses and grade point average (GPA).

Core requirements: The courses required in a specific major.

Cougar Center: Located in the lobby of the Student Services Center, Cougar Center staff are able to offer detailed information regarding admissions, financial aid, and registration. Cashiering services are also available.

Credit: Students must earn 120 credits to earn a degree. Most WSU courses are 3 credits.

Degree: The formal title on the student's diploma and transcript.

Degree Audit Report (DARS): DARS is an automated record that shows students their progress toward completing an undergraduate degree in a particular major.

Electives: Courses not required for major or minor, but can be applied toward graduation.

Engaged Learning and Career Action Center for Students (ELCA) ELCA offers advising for pre-major and undeclared students. All WSU Vanouver students may access ELCA's Career Services, Tutoring, and Academic Success programs.

Faculty Advisor: Certified students in specific majors meet with a faculty advisor each semester for course schedule advising and information about job opportunities, internships, research opportunities, graduate school, and letters of recommendation.

Financial Aid: Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment from federal, state, institutional and private sources. These types of aid are combined to create an "award package." The types and amounts of aid students receive are determined by financial need, available funds, student classification, academic performance, and sometimes the timeliness of application.

General Education Requirement (GER): Lower-division coursework that satisfies University graduation requirements. 40 semester credits of GER classes are required for graduation from Washington State University. GERs are waived if a student transfers into the University with an approved Associate's Degree.

GUC TBS: This stands for General University Classroom, To Be Scheduled. This is a notation that indicates a room has not yet been assigned.

Lab: Labs are hands on learning opportunities where undergraduates work with faculty or graduate students to apply concepts and theories. Labs can be connected to lectures such as Chemistry 105 or they may stand alone such as Biology 390.

Lecture: The full class meets during the lecture portion of a class and the primary emphasis is on the instructor lecture.

Lower-division Courses: 100- and 200-level (freshman or sophomore) courses.

Major/Major Concentration: A major is a set of courses that introduce students to an in depth study of an academic area.

Minor: Students who have completed 60 semester hours and are certified in a major, may certify a minor with the approval of the department concerned.

Prerequisites: Courses that prepare students for higher level courses.

Pre-major: Students who have selected a major but have not yet certified in that major.

Pre-health: Students interested in graduate and professional programs in health.

Registered Student Organization (RSO): Registered Student Organizations (RSO's) form an important part of the educational experience at WSU Vancouver and are vital to student life. RSO's are driven by students, developed for students, and directed by students. RSO's may be unique to WSU Vancouver or be local chapters of national or state organizations.

Registration, Orientation, Advising, and Resources (ROAR): ROAR consists of half- and two-day orientation programs offered across the summer. ROAR is designed to help students transition to college life.

Schedule Line Number (SLN): This is the unique number that every class section throughout the WSU system is assigned. This is the number that you will enter into myWSU to register for each individual class.

Section: Different class time choices for the same course. For example, English 101 meets at a number of different times. Section one, or Engl 101 01 is offered at 12:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Section two, or Engl 101 02 is offered at 14:50 on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Semester: Half of an academic year. A semester is 16 weeks in length. Fall semester starts in August and ends in December. Spring semester starts in January and ends in May.

Transcript: A permanent record of all the classes taken and grades earned by the student while in high school or college. It may also show honors or awards.

Transfer Credit Report (TCR): The TCR offers information about how courses completed at other institutions will apply toward WSU requirements.

Transfer Credits: Some students attend more than one college during their college careers. When they move or transfer from one college to another, they can transfer certain credit hours or classes from the previous college to the current one. The current college determines which courses will count toward its graduation requirements.

Tuition: The amount colleges charge for each hour of class time. Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees, room, or board (food). Tuition charges also vary from college to college.

Undeclared: Students who are exploring major options and have not yet made a selection.

Undergraduate: Another word for bachelor's degree or 100 through 400 level courses.

Upper-division Courses: Refers to 300- or 400-level (junior or senior) courses.

VanCougar: The VanCougar is the student newspaper that keeps students informed about campus news and life.

Writing Portfolio: A graduation requirement that includes the submission of writing samples from class work and the completion of one timed writing exercise. See your academic coordinator for more information.

myWSU: This web-based student information system has features to help students complete online University business quickly and easily. Services for current undergraduate, graduate, and non degree seeking students are provided. Office of Student Involvement (OSI): OSI is the "hub" of student activities on campus. Funded primarily by Services and Activities (S&A) Fees, these various programs are designed to enrich the WSU Vancouver student experience through leadership, on campus employment, service, recreation, fitness and communication skills development.