Glossary of terms for UOW students
Know the difference between a lab and lecture.
Are you a new student at UOW? Use this glossary of key terms to get through your first few weeks at uni.
Academic Consideration (AC)
The system by which you can apply for extensions on assessments due to extenuating circumstances. For a successful application, you need documentation to support the claim. You must apply for AC before you complete the assessment or exam.
Reasonable Adjustments (RA)
The mechanism that sees students with medical, physical or mental conditions that may hinder their ability to complete assessments. These can see recipients get extensions on exams without documentation. You must make an application to receive RA.
Autumn Session
The first session of the year typically starting in late February.
Census Date
The last day to withdraw from a subject/s without paying for them.
Co-requisite
Subjects you must complete simultaneously in one session.
Course Handbook
The go-to for understanding what subjects to complete to gain your degree. These change yearly, so reference the handbook from the year you first enrolled. For example, if you enrolled in a Bachelor of Business in 2021, you’ll reference the 2021 handbook for your entire degree.
Credit
Marks between 65 –74
Credit points
The points system used to measure the study load of a subject. You need to successfully complete a certain number of credit points to graduate. For a typical three-year degree, this is usually 144.
Distinction
Marks between 75 – 84
Double-Degree
Completing two degrees simultaneously.
Fail
Marks between 0 – 49
Full-time study
Enrolling in a total of 48 credit points (normally 4 subjects) per session.
General Electives
Undergraduate subjects that are open for enrolment by any undergraduate student, often to make up the total number of credit points required for their degree.
High distinction
Marks between 85 – 100
Labs
A class where practical work is done. This could be an experiment in a laboratory or work in a studio.
Lecture
An oral presentation to the whole cohort within the subject where you’ll learn key theory. They occur at the same time each week and can range between 1 – 3 hours in length.
Major/Minor
Your choice of specialisation within your degree. You can choose from a range of majors and minors, requiring you to complete certain subjects.
Moodle (eLearning)
The platform you use to access resources and content for subjects.
Part-time study
Enrolling in less than 18 credit points per session.
Pass
Marks between 50 – 64.
Prerequisites
Subjects you must complete and pass before enrolling into another subject.
Session
The periods in which the academic year is divided.
Spring session
The second session of the year, typically starting in July.
Summer session
The session that runs from November till late February. This session is not required to finish your full-time degree progression. You can take up to two subjects if they are offered if you wish to complete your degree earlier or make your study loads during Autumn and Spring lighter.
Student Online Services (SOLS)
The online platform used to manage your enrolment and details. You can complete tasks such as enrolling in subjects, checking results, and accessing Moodle through SOLS.
Subject outline
Similar to a class syllabus, the subject outline contains information on lectures, academic contacts, and deadlines and details for assessments and exams.
Tutorials
Smaller classes where you further discuss the previous week’s lecture topic.
Tutorial enrolments
The date and time when you pick your tutorials. In this instance, the term 'tutorial' refers to any class you need to enrol in for a subject, including practicals, computer labs, studios, seminars and workshops.
Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
The number that determines your average mark across the subjects you have completed. This can be used as selection criteria for scholarships, programs, and subjects.