Note: If you do not officially drop a class that you do
not attend, you will be charged for the class and will be expected to
pay the bill. Be sure to check your term calendar in the Bulletin for
deadline dates.
Textbooks are available from the PSU Bookstore, located
on SW Sixth Avenue. Full refunds are given for returned books during
a short period at the beginning of each term. SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS for
proof of purchase when returning books. Your used books may be sold
back at the end of each term for a percentage of the price you paid
. Ask for details at the PSU bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding your class credit hours
and your immigration status, contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Academic disqualification |
A suspension from the university due to academic difficulties. If
you are placed on academic warning, you will be automatically
disqualified at the end of the following quarter after the warning if you have
not raised your GPA.
|
| Academic standing |
Course hours completed and grade point average required for
a specific year of college that is considered satisfactory progress.
|
| Academic probation |
An enrollment restriction as a result of poor grades. If you are placed on
academic probation, be certain to consult ISSS.
|
| Academic warning |
A notice that your grades are below the academic requirements.
The minimum university grade point average is 2.0 (higher for some
majors) for graduation.
|
| Academic year |
September to June (9 months). |
| ADD/Drop |
The process of “adding or dropping” classes during the beginning
of the term.
|
| ASPSU |
(Associated Students of PSU) Portland State’s student
government. http://www.pdx.edu/aspsu/ |
| CAS |
The Course Applicability System (CAS) provides transfer course equivalency
information and degree progress reports. http://www.pdx.edu/admissions/transfer_courses.html
|
| Core curriculum |
The courses that all students are required to complete prior
to graduation, regardless of their academic major.
|
| Course load |
The number of courses taken per term. |
| Credit hour |
Credit awarded for participation and completion of a course. |
| Credit load |
Total number of credits for which a student is enrolled. At least
12 credit hours for undergraduates/9 credit hours for graduates per term is
a full-time credit load.
|
| DARS |
The Degree Audit Report System (DARS) is a tool to assist in the academic
advising process. It is meant to help advisors and students in the process
of course selection and academic program planning. Students should review
their DARS report prior to meeting with an Academic Adviser.
http://www.dars.pdx.edu
|
| Distance learning |
Providing learning through media (e.g. computer) where the
teacher and student are physically separated.
|
| Elective |
A course selected by the student, which is not a requirement for a
program but still fulfills graduation requirements.
|
| FERPA |
Refers to a student’s right of privacy concerning release of information
without authorized consent. (FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974)
|
| Grade point average (GPA) |
The average of your graded credits. This is counted by term and
overall or cumulatively.
|
| IASC The Information |
& Academic Support Center (IASC) provides academic
advising and other services to newly admitted and newly enrolled students
(after they have attended New Student Orientation); students who are on
academic warning, probation or dismissal; and students who have not chosen
a major. http://www.pdx.edu/advising/
|
| Incomplete |
A temporary grade granted when the student has been unable to complete
the required coursework by the end of the term. Work must be completed within
a specific time. (See the PSU Bulletin.)
|
| Liberal Arts |
A broad overview of academic disciplines within the arts and sciences
that includes languages, history, philosophy, art and the natural sciences.
|
| Major |
The main subject of interest for a student studying for a degree. A major
usually requires approximately 40-60 credit hours of work.
|
| Matriculation |
A student currently enrolled in and successfully making progress
toward the completion of a degree.
|
| Minor |
A secondary field of interest not required for a degree. |
| New Student Week |
Information sessions, open houses, and social activities designed
to welcome new students prior to the beginning of fall term. Schedules will
be mailed in late August.
|
| Odin Account |
An "Odin" computer account will allow students to access online
resources, including email, dial-up Internet access, campus computer labs,
UNIX shell access and disk space for personal files and web pages.
http://www.account.pdx.edu/
|
| The Park Blocks |
The half-mile stretch of trees, grass, and fountains that runs
through the center of campus and is filled with people on sunny days.
|
| Party in the Park |
The first Friday of fall term is host to a festive event
that kicks off fall term and fills the park blocks with food, music, opportunities
to get involved and students.
|
| Placement tests |
Exams given to determine entering students’ level
of knowledge in specific subjects. PSU offers placement tests in a variety
of foreign languages.
http://www.pdx.edu/advising/language_placement.html
|
| Prerequisite Course |
A basic course necessary before admission can be granted into
a higher-level course.
|
| PSU Student Information System (BanWeb) |
The online system used to register for classes, view
student accounts, reserve parking permits and more.
http://www.banweb.pdx.edu
|
| Quarter or term |
A division of the academic year. Each term lasts ten to eleven
weeks. Three quarters or terms make up one academic year.
|
| Registration & Enrollment fees.
|
Official procedure of arranging a class schedule, paying tuition and
You are formally enrolled after the payment requirements for
the applicable tuition and fees have been satisfied.
|
| Required/core course |
A necessary course which fulfills a student’s major requirements.
|
| Special Registration Form |
The form used to add or drop a class, change grade options
or get an override. This form can be found in the Neuberger Hall Lobby.
|
| The Square |
This could either be referring to Portland’s Pioneer Square
or Tri-Met’s Fareless Square, in which bus, trolley, and MAX rides are
free.
|
| Syllabus |
A course description including the requirements for the course, the
student’s responsibilities, and criteria for the final grade.
|
| Transcripts |
An official document that includes all of the student’s
academic courses, grades, credits and academic status. |
| Undeclared/Undecided |
Students who have not yet declared a major. |
| University Studies |
PSU’s General Education curriculum. The goal of
the general education curricula is to assure that all graduates have taken
all, or part of, a common set of coursework designed around the university's
educational goals.
http://www.pdx.edu/advising/general_ed.html
|
| Vanguard |
PSU’s student-run newspaper. You can view it online
at http://www.dailyvanguard.com
|
| Victor Viking |
PSU’s beloved mascot. See him drop and give us twenty during football
season when the Viks get a touchdown.
http://www.goviks.com/
|
| WebCt |
WebCT is an online course management system used by
PSU to provide instructional support via the Internet. Instructors may use
WebCT to deliver online course materials, provide online communication tools,
assess student performance and/or manage student's course grades and activities.
http://psuonline.pdx.edu/ |
Learning how to operate in a new academic situation is
a challenge, and doing so in a different culture and in another language
can be especially challenging. Contact an academic adviser before
you register for classes. Contact: