Important terms
Learning the academic jargon
Course Description
Course descriptions, found in the Course and Program Catalogue, give you information about a particular course, such as the course name, number, credit units (c.u.) and the term(s) in which it is offered.
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Course Reference Number (CRN)
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Credit Unit (c.u.)
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Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA)
Your cumulative weighted average or CWA, calculated as a percentage, is a general indicator of your academic performance. A CWA is based on two factors: the grade you receive in a course, and the number of credit units the course is worth.
To calculate your CWA:
Multiply your mark in each course by the number of credit units the course is worth. This will give you the “weighted mark” for the course.
Add the weighted marks for all of your courses together. Add the total number of credit units taken.
Divide the total weighted marks by the total number of credit units you have attempted.
Example:
Step 1 – Convert all final grades to weighted marks
65% in ENG 110.6 => (65 / 100) * (6 c.u.) = 390
82% in LIT 100.6 => (82 / 100) * (6 c.u.) = 492
59 % in BIOL 120.3 => (59/100) * (3 c.u.) = 177
Step 2 – Find the average
(Total weighted marks/Total credit units) = (390+492+177) / (6+6+3) = (1059 / 15) = 70.6%
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Exchanges
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Full-Time Student
At the University of Saskatchewan, an undergraduate student is considered full-time if they are registered in 9 or more credit units per term during regular session (September to April). Students can use this eligibility calculator to determine if their spring and summer registration meets the criteria to be considered full-time.
Students with a permanent disability who are approved for a reduced course load will be considered full-time students when taking 6 credit units per term.
Please note that the definition of full-time can vary depending on the institution and government agency you are involved with. When dealing with issues such as student loans or visas, make sure to check directly with the applicable agency or institution to determine how many credit units must be taken for them to consider a student full-time.
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Independent Studies
Independent Studies courses are designed to give students the flexibility to take USask courses regardless of where they live. Students receive a course guide outlining required assignments and readings. These courses may use audio or videotapes, CDs, DVDs, and online resources. When registering, class section numbers beginning with X are Independent Studies classes. Internships allow students to gain valuable work experience while pursuing their degree. An internship is a period of extended and intensive field study experience. Internships are done through specific departments and can be arranged by that department. They are not always for USask credit, but they will show up on a student’s transcript.
For more information, please visit the Off-Campus and Online webpage.
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Junior Level Courses
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Lab
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Lecture
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Network Services ID (NSID)
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Part-Time Student
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Personalized Access To Web Services (PAWS)
PAWS is a customizable web environment used by all members of the university community. It contains a variety of web-based tools and is the portal that students use to check their campus email, register for courses, view their grades or transcripts, access their financial information, access course content/Blackboard Learn, and much more. ICT Services offers training, online manuals, and video tutorials to help students become more familiar with using PAWS.
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Prerequisite
A prerequisite is a course or requirement that you must successfully complete before registering in a specific course. They are listed in the course descriptions found in the Course and Program Catalogue. Note that some university courses require high school prerequisites. Please read the course description carefully.
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Quarter
Quarters are condensed academic periods of study during the spring and summer session. Some courses are offered in a time-intensive format over a period of one month (instead of the regular four month term). Spring and summer terms are broken down as follows:
- Quarter 1 – May
- Quarter 2 – June
- Quarter 3 – July
- Quarter 4 – August
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Regular Session
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Section
Differentiates between the different times that a course is offered, its location, and who it is taught by (ex: ENG 110.6 (03)). It is important to know what particular section of a course you are registered in because the same course can be taught by different professors, at different times, and in different locations. Generally, for 3 c.u. courses, odd-numbered sections are in fall term; even-numbered sections are in winter term.
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Senior Level Courses
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Spring/Summer Session
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Syllabus
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Taught Abroad
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Term
Used to refer to academic periods of study:
- Fall Term (T1) - September to December
- Winter Term (T2) - January to April
- Multi-Term (T1T2) – September to April
- Spring and Summer Term 1 – May to June
- Spring and Summer Term 2 – July to August
- Spring and Summer Multi-Term – May to August
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Term Abroad
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Tutorial
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Web Based Class
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