This document provides definitions and explanations of common university terminology or "jargon" to help current students understand acronyms and language used in their studies. It defines terms like academic transcript, alumni, census date, credit, deferred, elective, faculty, lecture, major, minor, plagiarism, and testamur. The purpose is to help students feel more confident navigating their degree by clarifying confusing university terms.
Whether it’s your first semester at uni or your last as a uni student, getting your hands on the textbooks you need can be stressful. This useful guide will give you plenty of options for sourcing textbooks, from buying and purchasing to borrowing from the library, so you can be organised for your classes and get prepared for study earlier. If you have any questions about textbooks, chat to your lecturers, contact any of the services listed in this Slideshare, or AskUSQ.
If you or someone you know is currently studying, how do you know what time commitments are expected? Tackle the expectations and realities of study time so you or your student can be prepared for study success!
Not sure where uni and study is going to fit into your already busy family routine. Support, advice, comfort and encouragement is at your fingertips, so click on and help your family smoothly adjust to your uni life.
We know that juggling everything at uni is no easy feat. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can be tricky to manage, but we've determined at least 4 times when you should get involved and embrace your FOMO. For opportunities to get involved with uni life, check out https://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/life.
Being the first in your family to study at uni can often be challenging, particularly if your friends and family aren't familiar with uni or what it involves. Having the right support around you can make all the difference. Here are our tips for where to look for support throughout your studies.
A key success factor for university study is your support crew. But, how can they help you if they don’t know what’s going on? Here is some advice to help you out.
Whether it’s your first semester at uni or your last as a uni student, getting your hands on the textbooks you need can be stressful. This useful guide will give you plenty of options for sourcing textbooks, from buying and purchasing to borrowing from the library, so you can be organised for your classes and get prepared for study earlier. If you have any questions about textbooks, chat to your lecturers, contact any of the services listed in this Slideshare, or AskUSQ.
If you or someone you know is currently studying, how do you know what time commitments are expected? Tackle the expectations and realities of study time so you or your student can be prepared for study success!
Not sure where uni and study is going to fit into your already busy family routine. Support, advice, comfort and encouragement is at your fingertips, so click on and help your family smoothly adjust to your uni life.
We know that juggling everything at uni is no easy feat. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can be tricky to manage, but we've determined at least 4 times when you should get involved and embrace your FOMO. For opportunities to get involved with uni life, check out https://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/life.
Being the first in your family to study at uni can often be challenging, particularly if your friends and family aren't familiar with uni or what it involves. Having the right support around you can make all the difference. Here are our tips for where to look for support throughout your studies.
A key success factor for university study is your support crew. But, how can they help you if they don’t know what’s going on? Here is some advice to help you out.
This is a tongue-in-cheek look at effective online teaching practices, tips, and suggestions based on the SUNY Learning Network's experiences in effective online teaching and learning, online faculty development, and online course design.
Feel free to use this with attribution.
how to cope up challenges as a students and teenager?with 10 tips about mend...jerricco john cabunagan
are you problematic with your studies as a student here some tips can help you how to cope up challenges as a student and 10 tips to mend a broken heart
10 Study Tips to Make Studying More Effective and Achieve Your GoalsRita Lee
Studying can be a real challenge if you do not know exactly how to make it much easier and organized. This process, as well as many others, requires planning, a creation of the pleasant environment, a search of suitable learning devices etc. There are numerous ways to enhance and ease studying, but here are top 10 tips that will undoubtedly contribute to the better academic achievements making them much simpler and accessible.
Stuff We Wish We Had Been Told Before We Went to College (2016 Edition)Ned Kenney
We asked several dozen of the smartest, most thoughtful people we know what they wish they had been told before going to college. Here's what they said.
The Parent's Ultimate Education Guide is an outstanding book that teaches parents how to maximize each child’s learning abilities. Keep your K-12 child motivated to stay in school and to engage in creative learning. Prepare your child for college or trade school early. This resource will teach you how to maximize your students academic suiccess
Stuff I Wish I Had Been Told Before I Went to College (2017 Edition)Ned Kenney
We asked several dozen of the smartest, most thoughtful people we know what they wish they had been told before going to college. Here's what they said.
Presented to the Bronxville High School Class of 2017 on May 25, 2017.
This is a tongue-in-cheek look at effective online teaching practices, tips, and suggestions based on the SUNY Learning Network's experiences in effective online teaching and learning, online faculty development, and online course design.
Feel free to use this with attribution.
how to cope up challenges as a students and teenager?with 10 tips about mend...jerricco john cabunagan
are you problematic with your studies as a student here some tips can help you how to cope up challenges as a student and 10 tips to mend a broken heart
10 Study Tips to Make Studying More Effective and Achieve Your GoalsRita Lee
Studying can be a real challenge if you do not know exactly how to make it much easier and organized. This process, as well as many others, requires planning, a creation of the pleasant environment, a search of suitable learning devices etc. There are numerous ways to enhance and ease studying, but here are top 10 tips that will undoubtedly contribute to the better academic achievements making them much simpler and accessible.
Stuff We Wish We Had Been Told Before We Went to College (2016 Edition)Ned Kenney
We asked several dozen of the smartest, most thoughtful people we know what they wish they had been told before going to college. Here's what they said.
The Parent's Ultimate Education Guide is an outstanding book that teaches parents how to maximize each child’s learning abilities. Keep your K-12 child motivated to stay in school and to engage in creative learning. Prepare your child for college or trade school early. This resource will teach you how to maximize your students academic suiccess
Stuff I Wish I Had Been Told Before I Went to College (2017 Edition)Ned Kenney
We asked several dozen of the smartest, most thoughtful people we know what they wish they had been told before going to college. Here's what they said.
Presented to the Bronxville High School Class of 2017 on May 25, 2017.
How Long Of A Study Gap Is Accepted In The USA.pdfswceeducation
Navigating study gaps in the USA? Find insights on acceptable durations and tips for a seamless academic transition. Plan your educational journey with assurance and make the most of your experiences.
Researching Graduate School: The BasicsEmily Batlan
Developed in 2012 from a variety of resources specifically for University of Washington Undergraduate Evening Degree Completion Program students who are in the initial stage of the graduate program search process. Document was used in subsequent workshop Researching Graduate Schools: The Basics workshop specifically for UW Evening Degree students.
“Type of College Degrees” explains different college degrees ranging from an Associate’s degree to a Doctoral degree. The article discusses about the pertinent aspects of Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and a Doctoral degree.
Entrepreneurship is defined as the starting of new businesses, usually by an individual who identified a gap in the market and trail blazed their way to success as sole owner and CEO. But you don’t have to share this passion of building your own business to see the value in utilising the same skills for your future career aspirations! We explore the relevancy of entrepreneurial skills for your career in this free one-hour webinar, and hear from a USQ student about how she found success by nurturing these skills and taking a chance.
When you hear the word resilience, what do you think of? Do you think of bouncing back from study let downs? Or perhaps maintaining consistent passion to reach your study goals with each new semester? By developing emotional intelligence, resilience can be a by-product used to help you through all of your study hurdles. This free, one-hour webinar will have you re-thinking your perception of resilience, open your mind to the importance of creating emotional intelligence and provide you with awareness of yours and others’ feelings to help ensure your career success.
Failure. It’s a taboo subject. When starting university, you may be overwhelmed with study support, extra assessment assistance and resources, as well as being provided with multiple opportunities to accept help from your lecturers. But what happens if you fail, or don’t do as well as you had hoped? What happens when you accept that failure without learning from it? In this free one-hour webinar, you’ll hear about why learning from different types of failure is important, how to positively reframe that failure for future success and how to incorporate strategies to cope with any study let downs you may experience in future.
All too often, we are advised to keep motivated in order to excel in our studies, but what does being motivated even mean? Why are we still struggling to find it, maintain it and identify its significance for our future careers? In this free one-hour webinar, join USQ research expert Dr Fein as he delves into the theory behind keeping motivated, and then discover how a USQ alumnus used it to pursue her dreams as a world record-breaking athlete and entrepreneur.
Be honest, have you heard of a student that hasn’t been stressed at some point during their time at university? In this free one-hour webinar, you’ll learn from local researchers and professional experts why managing your stress is imperative to your study success and how the power of positive reframing can influence your wellbeing. Take some time out from the books, watch along and start turning that stress, into a little more success! Presented by USQ Senior Lecturer in Psychology Dr Yong Goh and Registered Psychologist Cara Bricknell.
To see more from the Beyond the Books Online Series, visit our website. https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars
Looking for a way to separate yourself from the crowd? Taking on an intrapreneurship mindset may be just the answer you need. This webinar delves into what intrapreneurship really means and how developing entrepreneurial characteristics can be beneficial to your career success. The webinar is presented by USQ staff member, Dr Paul Newbury.
To see more from the Beyond the Books Online Series, visit our website. https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars
Looking to find work-life-study balance? This webinar delves into the challenges that students face when it comes to balancing study, work and family. With only 24 hours in a day, this one-hour webinar could help you re-prioritise and get your work-life balance back on track. The webinar is presented by USQ staff members Michael Healy and Stacey Dawson.
To see more from the Beyond the Books Online Series, visit our website. https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars
Discover the surprisingly easy ways to make small, but significant changes to your budget. From how to identify spending leaks, to what discounts, grants and financial services you may be eligible for as a USQ student, this session will equip you with the financial tools and strategies to help you make the most of your student budget. This webinar is presented by USQ staff members Clare Moseley and Robyn Idewa Gede who provide welfare and financial guidance to USQ students on a daily basis.
For more advice and resources to help with budgeting be sure to check out the following free resources.
https://social.usq.edu.au/tags/budget
To see more from the Beyond the Books Online Series, visit our website.
https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars
Your first semester of Uni can be overwhelming, especially when you start getting assessment. If you're feeling a little lost this guide will take you through the steps you need to take when approaching your first assignment.
This free, one-hour webinar goes beyond the basics of interview skills and dives deep into the details of how you can deliver informative, impressive and memorable responses in your next job interview. Our presenter, Michael Healy, is an Employability Coordinator at USQ, supporting students to progress their careers. In this engaging presentation, he shares his take on the both the common and unique challenges of succeeding in an interview.
For more free resources to help you excel in your career, visit USQ Social Hub or tune in for more Beyond the Books Online Series.
https://social.usq.edu.au/tags/career
https://social.usq.edu.au/tags/interviews
https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars
You’re dumb.’ ‘You’re not good enough.’ ‘You’ll never succeed at this.’
You’d never say these things to someone else, so why let your inner critic undermine your own efforts and accomplishments? Learn how you can use self-compassion to quieten your inner critic and stop holding yourself back from success in your studies, relationships and career. Having worked as a psychologist for over five years, our presenter Niamh Keane is used to demonstrating compassion for others in her professional career, but also understands how challenging it can be to turn down the volume on your own negative thoughts. Niamh explains what self-compassion is, why it’s important and how you can use it to quieten your inner critic.
For even more sways to combat your inner critic, check out the following resources on USQ Social Hub:
https://social.usq.edu.au/tags/mental-wellbeing
https://social.usq.edu.au/uni-lifestyle/2017/02/headstrong
For more free resources from the Beyond the Books Online Series, visit our website:
https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars
It can be difficult to balance family time with study time but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Use these tips to combine study with family time, no matter how old your child, and make the most of the time you have to achieve your study goals.
For more tips to help you be a successful studying parent, check out Jess’s blog How being a mum helped me become a better student or Shane’s blog 4 tips for tackling study as a new dad.
Establishing work-life balance can be complicated enough, but when you’re a studying parent, juggling it all can feel even more out of reach. We take a look at the concept of balance and help you to understand why work/study/family/life flexibility might be a better fit and help you to take control of the juggling act!
If you’re new to the role of studying parent and are still trying to find your study/family groove, these tips might help both you and your family adjust to a new routine. To discuss how you can take advantage of the flexibility and support available to you at USQ, get in touch with your Student Relationship Officer.
Are you a studying parent? Are your kids telling you they're bored when you're trying to study? We have created a template for you to keep your kids busy while you study.
At USQ we offer a range of preparation programs and alternative entry options as we believe everyone should have the opportunity to access tertiary education!
If you’ve considered studying a pathway program online, take a moment to review these webinar slides.
Effort doesn’t necessarily translate into good grades. If you want to achieve assignment success, you’re going to need a solid plan. Learn tips and actionable strategies to help you plan and write HD-worthy assignments, every time.
To find out more about how the the Beyond the Books Online Series can help you get ahead at uni and in your career, visit https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars/
When working towards achieving your goals (for example, getting a degree) it can be easy to become disillusioned when the going gets tough. Having a clear understanding of your values, often referred to as your ‘life’s compass’, can make it easier to tolerate short-term sacrifices or obstacles that stand in the way of your success and keep you motivated on the end goal.
In this webinar, registered psychologist Asha Honeysett will discuss how to align your goals and values in order to utilise them for life satisfaction and academic success.
For more information about the Beyond the Books Online Series, view our FAQs or email webinar@usq.edu.au.
Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
Starting your own business can feel like a big risk. This webinar, presented by Jock Fairweather from Little Tokyo Two, will provide you with practical strategies and advice from someone who has found success in creating a business and who helps entrepreneurs reach their goals on a daily basis. By helping you understand common start up mistakes, this webinar will provide you with the confidence you need to forge your own path and reap the rewards of your successful venture.
Looking to upskill or reskill? Postgraduate study online is a great option. This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools for success in online learning.
If you're considering studying a pathway program online, this webinar is for you. By tuning in, you will be well on your way to discovering your online study options so you can start heading in the direction of your goals.
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERPCeline George
The map views are useful for providing a geographical representation of data. They allow users to visualize and analyze the data in a more intuitive manner.
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
How to Split Bills in the Odoo 17 POS ModuleCeline George
Bills have a main role in point of sale procedure. It will help to track sales, handling payments and giving receipts to customers. Bill splitting also has an important role in POS. For example, If some friends come together for dinner and if they want to divide the bill then it is possible by POS bill splitting. This slide will show how to split bills in odoo 17 POS.
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
2. JARGON JOURNAL FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
University of Southern Queensland 2
Like anything new, university can be a little confusing
at first, especially when it comes to getting your
head around university terminology and acronyms.
Sometimes it can feel a little frustrating trying to
interpret the language, especially if you’re the first
person in your family to study at university.
Over the course of your degree you will become more
familiar and confident with university jargon, but if you
want a head start, this list will help you, so you have
more time to focus on what’s important… your studies!
Academic transcript
An academic transcript is the official record of your grades to date. This document shows the level of
achievement you have obtained across all the courses you’ve studied so far.
Alumna
This is the term used to describe a single female graduate.
For example, ‘Today we’re joined by USQ alumna Jessica.’
Alumni
Once you graduate from a university you become a member of their alumni, which is a network
of graduates from a particular university. Being an alumni often means that you get the chance to
network with former classmates and explore ways you can support each other in your careers. The
term ‘alumni’ refers to any group of graduates, regardless of gender.
For example, ‘I’m really excited about the next USQ alumni event. I can’t wait to catch up with everyone!’
HOW TO UNTANGLE UNI LINGO
AND GET ON WITH YOUR STUDIES!
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Alumnus
This is the term used to describe a single male graduate.
For example, ‘We’re pleased to introduce USQ alumnus Jack.’
Ask USQ
Ask USQ is an online resource support tool that is available 24/7 to all students and includes answers
to frequently asked questions.
Census date
Census dates are the specific days by which all enrolment and/or payment details must be finalised.
If you’re thinking about dropping a course or changing your enrolments for the semester, you’ll need
to make any adjustments before the census dates, otherwise you may face financial and/or academic
penalties. It’s important to note that the financial census dates and academic census dates usually fall
on different days. Your USQ wall calendar and the USQ website can provide further information on
the census dates for each semester.
Commonwealth Assistance Form
A Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF) is used by students who are wanting to defer their
course fees and are enrolled in commonwealth supported places, or those who are eligible to obtain
commonwealth assistance.
Co-requisite
Co-requisite courses are two courses that contain material and learning that complement or
supplement each other and must be studied at the same time. This means that if you have two co-
requisite courses, you need to be enrolled in both at the same time.
Course
Also known as: subject, class, unit
Similar to high school, content or coursework at university is broken down into different and smaller
blocks of learning. Each university refers to these blocks differently. Some call them subjects (similar to
high school) and others call them units or classes. At USQ, we refer to each block as a course.
For example, ‘Most of my courses are really good this semester, I’ve just got one that’s challenging me.’
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Course code
A course code is the unique code assigned to a course that helps you and the university to identify
particular courses, search for information and complete enrolments. Course codes include a
combination of letters and numbers. The letters indicate the area of study that the course belongs
to. The first number in a course code generally indicates the suggested year within which a student
would study that course. For example, in the course code PRL2003, the letters PRL represent the study
area of Public Relations and the number 2 suggests that this course is appropriate for a student’s
second year of study.
Credit
Also known as: credit point, RPL (recognition for prior learning), exemption
While studying at university, either when submitting your initial application or during your studies, you
may be eligible to apply for credit for previous learning or work experience. Applying for credit means
you’re asking for the university to recognise past study or work experience and allow that knowledge
to contribute toward your current or desired university program. If successful in your application for
credit, the university will advise you of the number of credit points you’ve been granted and this may
mean you won’t have to study the full number of units required for your program, which could help
you to complete your studies sooner.
For example, ‘I was granted credit for my work history so now I only have to study 22 units instead of 24.’
Deferral
Deferral is kind of like reserving a seat for a later date. If you want to study at university and have
been offered a place but aren’t ready to begin your studies now (for example, if you’re taking a gap
year), you can respond to your offer by formally deferring your studies. Current students also have the
opportunity to defer study during their program for up to two years. This means that the university
will hold your place within the program.
For example, ‘I’ve got a great opportunity to work overseas for 6 months. I think I’ll defer and start my studies when
I get back.’
Elective
Electives are a chance for students to further complement their studies or to branch out and sample
courses from other schools and possibly even other faculties. Electives offer a taste of another
study area, however, not all program sequences include electives so you will need to look at your
recommended enrolment pattern or speak with your Student Relationship Officer if you want
to find out more about your options.
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Faculty
Faculties are used to group together several schools of study. USQ has two faculties, the Faculty of
Business, Education, Law and Arts (BELA) and the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences (HES).
Faculties offer specialised support, opportunities and guidance to students studying within their specific schools.
Forum
A forum is an online group-chat that takes place within USQ’s StudyDesk. Each course that you study
will have its own forums that are overseen by the course lecturer. Any student enrolled in a course,
whether they study on-campus and online, can contribute questions, comments or ideas to these
forums and all students can view each other’s posts and responses.
For example, ‘Did you see the lecturer posted some more notes about the assignment in the forum last night?’
Full-time study
A student who is enrolled in 6 or more courses during one academic year is classified as a full-time
student. Throughout the duration of their program, students may change from full-time to part-time
study and vice-versa as their commitments and circumstances change. This information is especially
important to keep in mind for students who are receiving Centrelink payments based on their study loads.
Grade Point Average
Also known as: GPA
For each course you complete you will be given an overall course grade which combines the results of
all assessment items and exams that you’ve submitted for that course. Your GPA combines all of your
total course results so far into one number that represents your overall level of academic achievement.
Some students include their GPA in their résumés and some jobs may require you to have a particular
GPA in order to apply. Your GPA may fluctuate throughout your studies, depending on the course
grades you receive each semester. USQ students can view their current GPA on UConnect. The
highest GPA you can receive is a 7 and a 4 is a pass.
Graduand
Often confused with: graduate
When a student is certified as having completed all the requirements of their academic program, but has
not yet had their award conferred (in other words, the student is eligible to graduate but has not yet been
awarded with their testamur from the Chancellor of the university), they are referred to as a graduand.
For example, ‘Could all 2015 graduands please form a line across the stage?’
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Graduate
Often confused with: graduand
When a student has completed all the requirements of their academic program and has had their
award conferred (they’ve received their official testamur), they are called a graduate. In other words,
once you’re presented with your testamur, you are officially a graduate!
For example, ‘Congratulations to the graduates of 2015!’
ICT maintenance day
ICT runs regular scheduled maintenance days throughout the year to ensure USQ Systems are up to
date and an optimal service is provided.
UConnect Announcements are posted prior to system maintenance days and outline what systems
will be unavailable.
Lecture
Also known as: class
Students attend lectures to learn about their course material. Each course will usually have at least
one lecture time per week that students will attend (online students can participate and view lectures
from home). All lecturers (the name given to teachers at university) are different and some may run
their lectures interactively, while others may choose more traditional teaching styles. Students are
expected to do prior- and post-lecture readings as well as take notes during their lectures.
For example, ‘Thanks for lunch, I’ve just got to get going to my next lecture.’
Major
Within a program, majors, minors and electives are used to structure the selection of courses that a
student studies. Majors are used to define the main area of study within a program and can then be
complemented by minors and possibly electives. Majors typically comprise of 8 or 12 units (which translates
to approximately the same number of courses). Some programs allow students to study a double-major.
Meet-Up
In Meet-Up sessions, small groups of students work together on learning activities and assessment
planning to help them develop a deeper understanding of their course material and be well prepared
for assignments and exams. Meet-Up sessions are run for specific courses and are led by other
students who have already finished that course and performed well. This first-hand experience and
peer-to-peer learning style is popular among students at USQ.
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Minor
Minors are smaller sub-groupings of courses that can complement a student’s major. If you’re
interested in a topic but don’t want that to be the main focus of your study, you may be able to study
it as a minor. Minors provide a smaller sample of a particular study area. Some programs may allow
students to study only one minor sequence, or they may have the option to study two.
Mortarboard
Also known as: grad cap, graduation hat
Mortarboard is the official name given to the iconic black graduation cap worn by undergraduate,
post-graduate and masters students when they attend their graduation ceremonies. Doctoral
graduands wear a different kind of cap called a bonnet.
Part-time study
A student enrolled in less than 6 courses per academic year is classified as a part-time student. At
USQ, many students balance study with work and family commitments, so enjoy the flexibility of
being able to study part-time.
Plagiarism
In simple terms, plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without acknowledging
them appropriately, and therefore presenting their work and ideas as though they were your own. The
USQ library offers a range of resources to help students reference properly within their assignments
and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism at university is considered a serious form of academic misconduct and
penalties may apply.
Post-graduate study
Also known as: Post-grad study
Post-graduate programs are studied once a student has completed an undergraduate program or has
the required type and amount of industry experience. They are typically shorter and more specialised
programs of study.
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Pre-requisite
Also known as: pre-rec
Before you can be considered for entry into a particular program or course, you may need to have
completed what is called a pre-requisite. A pre-requisite is something that a student must do (such
as complete a course, sit an interview or submit a portfolio) before they can progress any further into
that course. For example, some courses have pre-requisite courses that students must complete first
to make sure they have a good foundation of knowledge before progressing into more complex or
specialised course content.
Program
Often confused with: degree
A program is the sequence of study that makes up a degree qualification. In other words, your
program is the road map of your study; it sets the boundaries and scope of your learning and gives
structure to the different courses available at university. Programs are made up of a combination of
majors, minors and electives. Different types of programs will have different structures. For example,
not all programs include electives and some programs may allow students to study a double-major.
For example, ‘I’m thinking I might like to change my program next semester.’
Program duration
Program duration is the length of time within which students can complete their studies for that
particular program. These timeframes apply to all students, whether they’re studying full-time or part-
time. For most programs, students are given 6 years to complete their studies, however, in exceptional
circumstances longer study periods may be negotiable.
Recommended enrolment pattern (REP)
USQ provides recommended enrolment patterns to help students structure their enrolments. An
REP outlines in what year and in what semester courses should be studied. REPs take into account
pre-requisites and structure courses so that more difficult and intensive courses are undertaken
in later years of study. USQ encourages students to follow their program’s REP, however, they
are not compulsory and ultimately, students control their enrolment pattern. Students can find
the recommended enrolment pattern for their program by searching their program in the USQ
Handbook and clicking on the Recommended Enrolment Pattern link in the bottom left-hand corner.
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Residential College
Also known as: Res college, college, on-college
At USQ, our on-campus student accommodation facilities are called residential colleges. Living ‘on-
college’ is an affordable option for students who want or need to live out of home in order to study at
university. A range of fully catered, self-catered and semi-catered accommodation is available through
our residential colleges.
For example, ‘I’ve met some really great people living on-college.’
Residential school
Also known as: Res-school
Residential schools give students studying via distance education the chance to come on-campus for
face-to-face lectures and intensive workshops to develop their skills and learning. Residential schools
usually last for several days and accommodation is available on-campus at Toowoomba, or students
may arrange their own off-campus accommodation. Some Residential Schools are compulsory, others
are voluntary.
Schools
Also known as: departments
Within faculties, there are different schools (like categories) of study. Under each school is the
variety of programs that are offered in that study area. For example, within the Faculty of Business,
Education, Law and Arts is the School of Commerce. The school of Commerce includes programs
related to accounting and finance. Faculties and schools are used to break down and categorise the
many study options and courses that universities offer to make sure students have structure and
support throughout their studies.
Student Services and Amenities Fee
Also known as: SA Fee, student amenities fee
The Student Services and Amenities Fee was introduced by the Federal Government in 2012 to
provide university students with a wider range of services and resources related to health and welfare,
orientation and support, student development and enrichment and study assistance programs.
The amount of the fee you will have to pay will depend on your student’s individual study load per
semester and must be paid at the beginning of each semester. At USQ, the Student Services and
Amenities Fee funds great initiatives like USQ Phoenix Central, Career Hub, HeyU Magazine,
Social Hub and The Beyond the Books Online Series.
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Student contribution
This refers to the amount of money that a student is required to contribute towards their university
studies. This contribution amount applies only to students studying in a Commonwealth Supported
Place and the amount you are required to pay may vary depending on what program of study you
choose to undertake (some cost more than others).
Student Relationship Officer
Also known as: SRO
At USQ, students are assigned their very own Student Relationship Officer (SRO) who they can
contact any time they need assistance or support. SROs have a great knowledge of the University’s
resources, processes and procedures and are there to help students navigate the challenges they may
encounter during their time at university.
Testamur
Also known as: graduation certificate
As a university graduate, you are presented with a certificate that signifies you have successfully
completed your program of study. This certificate is officially called a testamur, however many
students refer to this document as their graduation certificate.
Tutorial
Also known as: tutes
Tutorials are run to complement lectures and usually, depending on the number of students enrolled
in a course, there will be multiple tutorials run throughout the week for the same course. Tutorials are
therefore usually smaller than lectures and are a hands-on opportunity for students to ‘break down’
the information they have learnt in their lectures, participate in learning activities, discuss assessment
items and prepare for exams. Tutorials can be run by lecturers, tutors or students in their later years of
study.
Undergraduate program
Also known as: undergrad
Typically completed over 3 or 4 years, undergraduate programs are studied by students who have not
previously graduated from university. In other words, these are the programs available to first-time
university students.