Glossary

Note: terms and references apply specifically to Brandon University.

 

Academic Session
Classes offered during a particular time frame. (e.g. September to December).

Admissions Application
Official application which must be completed for acceptance to Brandon University. The application process is the first step to becoming a BU student.

Admissions Status
Regular – Manitoba applicants for regular admission must satisfy the following minimum requirements: High School graduation as recognized by Manitoba Education and Training with no “M” or “I” courses in the program or Senior 4 equivalency (G.E.D.) as recognized by Manitoba Education or Training or Tier 4 of Brandon University’s EAP program.

Mature – Mature students are those who do not meet the regular admissions requirements. Students must be 21 years of age by the last date of examination for the first session in which they wish to register.

Transfer – Transfer students are those who have regular student status at another accredited institution and who are seeking admission to Brandon University.

Visitor – Applicants who intend to transfer Brandon University credit elsewhere must obtain a “Letter of Permission” from the Registrar of their home university, which guarantees transfer of credit for courses taken.

No Credit – Applicants who do not meet the foregoing admission requirements may be considered by the University Registrar on an appeal basis.

Dual Credit – see Dual Credit.

After Degree (AD)
A two year degree designed for students with a BA, BSc, BGS, B.Mus or equivalent degree who wish to study education.

Alumni
Graduates of the university.

Bachelor Degree
The first university degree or undergraduate degree usually 3 or 4 years in duration (full-time).

Bobcat
Brandon University’s varsity team name and official mascot.

BUHEP
Brandon University Hutterian Education Program. A special education program for members of the Hutterite community.

BUNTEP
Brandon University Northern Teacher Education Project. A community-based program with the purpose of preparing northern Manitoba residents for careers as teachers.

Bursary
A non-repayable monetary grant based on financial need.

BUSU
Brandon University Students’ Union.

Calendar
A university publication detailing university regulations, courses and course descriptions, scholarships and awards.

Campus Manitoba
Campus Manitoba (CMB) is a program designed to facilitate access to post-secondary education within the province of Manitoba through regional centres. Campus Manitoba offers university courses from Brandon University, the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. Regional coordinators also provide logistical support for students in distance learning courses at Red River College, Assiniboine Community College and Keewatin Community College.

Canada West
Canada West Universities Athletics Association. Conference where university athletic teams compete from Manitoba to British Columbia.

Certificate Programs
Thirty credit hours of Brandon University courses leading to a certificate in Business Administration, Justice System and Labor Studies.

CIS
Canadian Inter-University Sports. CIS is the national organization that oversees Canadian university athletics.

Course
A subject successfully completed that will count towards an academic degree.

Credit Hour
3 credit hours – 3 hours of lectures per week for one term.
6 credit hours – 3 hours of lectures per week for two terms.

Dean
The administrative head of a faculty or school (e.g. Dean of Education).

Degree
Official recognition for completion of an approved program of study (e.g. BA, MMus).

Department
The main subject areas in a faculty (e.g. botany, chemistry, zoology – Science Faculty).

Dual Credit Admission
Dual credit admission provides individuals with an opportunity to attempt a maximum of 9 credit hours of course work before graduating with a high school diploma. No credit is granted at Brandon University until the individual has satisfied the requirements for admission under the Regular, Mature or Transfer categories. Students must be in good standing (i.e. they have completed or are enrolled in all the compulsory courses required to meet their high school graduation requirements); have a minimum cumulative average of 80% across all their 30 and 40 level courses completed at the time of application; and they come highly recommended by their secondary school Principal (or equivalent) or designate to pursue dual credit studies.

Elective
A course taken towards a degree program that is not required as part of that degree program.

Faculty
The University’s major disciplinary sub-divisions (e.g. Arts, Science, Music, Education, Health Studies). Also the teaching staff of the University, faculty or department.

Full Course
6 credit hours – 3 hours of lectures per week for two terms.

Grade Point Average
Your grade point average or GPA is the average, on a scale of 0 to 4.3, of the grades you have received. Your transcript will actually show three different grade point averages.

The Sessional GPA is the average for all courses taken during a particular session, for example the 2003-2004 regular session

The Degree GPA is the average for all of the courses applicable to your degree. Failed courses, repeated courses, or courses listed as “extra” (usually ones from another faculty) are excluded

The Cumulative GPA is the average for all courses taken, including failures.

Graduate Degree
A student working towards a degree beyond a Bachelor degree. (e.g. Master of Education, Master of Music, Master of Rural Development)

Graduation/Convocation
An official ceremony held in May to confer degrees.

Half Course
3 credit hours – 3 hours of lectures per week for one term.

Humanities
One of three major sub-divisions for a liberal education, which includes such subjects as English, History, Languages, Philosophy, and Religion.

Laboratory
A practical component to accompany lecture or course material. Most “labs” are three hours in length and usually held in the afternoon.

Liberal Education
Requirements for undergraduate students in some programs; the 3 sub-divisions are Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences.

Major
Area of concentration within a degree program (e.g. Bachelor of Arts – Sociology major).

Master’s Degree
Advanced academic program focusing on a particular subject or area of study. Master programs are generally two years of full-time study and require successful completion of an undergraduate degree (or its equivalent to gain admission) (e.g. MEd, MRD, MMus).

Minor
Area of secondary concentration within a degree program (e.g. Bachelor of Arts – English minor).

Natural Science
One of three major sub-divisions for a liberal education that includes such subjects as Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Zoology.

Official Transcript
An official student record listing courses taken, marks and grade point average.

Orientation
Workshops and activities to acquaint new students to Brandon University. Orientation is an annual event held at the beginning of the Fall term in September.

PENT
Project for the Education of Native Teachers – a project for people who are already employed in Manitoba schools as teachers’ assistants.

Pre-Professional Programs
Academic preparation at the undergraduate level to qualify for admission to selected professional faculties (e.g. Dentistry, Journalism, Medicine, Social Work).

Prerequisite
A requirement in certain courses that must be completed before registration will be permitted.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
A process for assessing prior learning attained outside the usual academic environment and where the recognized credits can be used to complete a degree program.

Registration
The official enrolment into university courses.

Regular Session
University courses offered from September to April.

Residence Requirement
Of the 90 credit hours required to graduate with a three-year Bachelor of Art or Bachelor of Science degree, students must obtain either the final 30 credit hours or at least 48 credit hours at Brandon University.

Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance.

Social Science
One of three major sub-divisions for a liberal education, which includes such courses as Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Native Studies, and Sociology.

Sessions
Fall/Winter Session
University courses offered from September to April (regular academic year).

Spring Session
University courses offered in May and June.

Summer Session
University courses offered in July and August.

Term
First term: September – December
Second term: January – April

TREK BU
Annual pre-registration event held for first-year students planning.