Definitions of the following terms may be of use to students from outside the US. Most are applicable to higher education throughout the United States. Some are particular to the University of Cincinnati.
Accreditation
Accreditation (or being accredited) means that an institution meets accepted standards and is fully sanctioned to offer academic degrees. The University of Cincinnati is fully accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. In addition,
UC programs are accredited by the appropriate professional organizations to provide training and degrees in specific fields.
back to top of page
Blackboard
Blackboard is the name of UC's online learning system. Blackboard allows instructors to place course materials online, and also contains multiple communication tools that allow instructors and students to communicate and collaborate.
back to top of page
Breaks (winter break, spring break)
Breaks are vacation periods between quarters when there are no classes. Winter Break runs from mid-December until early January. Spring Break is a one-week break in late March. Summer break runs from mid-June to late September. Campus housing is available for international students during breaks and vacation periods.
back to top of page
Class size
This refers to the number of students enrolled in a particular class. Class sizes at UC vary. The faculty-to-student ratio averages 17 to 1. This low ratio means that if you have questions, your instructors are accessible to you. Faculty and teaching assistants have regularly scheduled office hours, and you can also make an appointment to meet with them.
back to top of page
Concentration (also focus concentration and integral concentration)
Majors in the UC College of Business include both a Focus Concentration and an Integral Concentration. These are similar to a major and minor in that they represent a primary subject of study (focus) which you study in depth as well as a secondary subject (integral) that helps you integrate your focus knowledge across many functional areas of business.
back to top of page
Course load
This refers to the total number of UC credit hours for which a student is registered. An undergraduate student load is usually 15 hours per quarter but may vary from 12 to 19 hours depending upon English proficiency as well as other factors. Students on an F-1 visa are required by the Office of Immigration and Naturalization to carry at least 12 hours in order to maintain legal status.
back to top of page
Credit or course credit
Each course has a credit value, similar to a point system. Course credit is stated in terms of hours. One hour of credit represents one hour of class time per week for one ten-week quarter. Therefore, a course which meets three hours a week for ten weeks is a 3-credit course. Most UC courses are three to five credit hours.
For every course you pass, you earn credits toward your degree. When you have met the credit requirements of your academic program, you can graduate.
back to top of page
Examinations or exams (also mid-terms)
The type and number of examinations in a course are determined by the professor. Both objective tests, requiring short, precise answers, and essay tests, requiring more elaborate answers, are given.
Mid-terms are exams given half way through the quarter. Not every course has a mid-term. Final examinations (or "finals") are given at the end of each quarter for most courses, usually covering material from the entire quarter.
back to top of page
Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities are available for students to relax, socialize or gain experience outside of class and study time. UC offers a wide range of activities for students to choose from, based on their personal interests.
back to top of page
Grades (marks)
(also grade point average and GPA)
Each student's quality of work is recorded in the form of grades (A, B, C, D or F). At the end of each quarter, students are mailed a list of their grades from the Registrar's Office. Grades are also posted on the web on Blackboard.
Each grade has a numeric value:
| A (Excellent) |
4.00 |
| A- |
3.6667 |
| B+ |
3.3333 |
| B (Good) |
3.00 |
| B- |
2.6667 |
| C+ |
2.3333 |
| C (Satisfactory) |
2.00 |
| C- |
1.6667 |
| D+ |
1.3333 |
| D (Poor) |
1.00 |
| D- |
0.6667 |
| F (Fail) |
0.00 |
The average of all your grades is your grade point average or "GPA."
Note that most courses are 3-credit courses, but UC courses may have more or fewer credits. In figuring your GPA, grades are weighted based on the number of credit hours earned for each grade. Thus, for example, an "A" earned in a 4-credit course is worth more than an "A" earned in a 1-credit course.
back to top of page
Laboratory or lab courses
Many courses, particularly in the physical and biological sciences, require laboratory work in addition to lecture work. These are called "laboratory courses" or, more often, "lab courses."
back to top of page
Lecture system
Much of the course work at UC is conducted under the lecture system. Except for certain language courses, all lectures are delivered in English. Attendance at all classes is necessary and the student is expected to participate in class discussions.
back to top of page
Major
The program of study in which you are enrolled and which will grant your degree is your "major." University students are said to be "majoring" in a particular program of study. (See also Concentration.)
back to top of page
Marks (see grades)
back to top of page
Minor
A secondary course of study in which you earn a significant number of credits, but fewer than required for a degree, is a "minor." You must follow a course plan approved by your minor department. "Minoring" in a subject is entirely optional, except in the College of Business which requires a "focus concentration" (similar to a major) and an "integral concentration" (similar to a minor) area of study. (See also Concentration.)
back to top of page
Orientation
Orientation is a one- to two-day program designed to introduce new students to every aspect of student life. International Student Orientation takes place prior to the quarter in which you will enroll. Information will be sent to you after you accept UC's offer of admission.
back to top of page
Programs of study
Collectively, the undergraduate programs at the University of Cincinnati make up one of the most comprehensive educational opportunities in the U.S. On your application, you must specify a first choice program. Second or third choices are optional. The online application includes a search function to identify your program choices. UC's paper application includes a listing of programs and program codes. If you use the paper application, make sure that the program code you list is correct.
back to top of page
Quarter system
The University of Cincinnati operates on a quarter system. The "academic year" (mid-September to mid-June) includes three 11-week quarters: autumn, winter and spring quarters. The last week of each quarter is an exam week, when final examinations are given and there are no classes. This is about same amount of time as the semester system (two 15-week semesters per year with an exam week at the end of each) that other institutions use.
Attendance during summer quarter is optional. Campus housing is available for international students during vacation periods.
International students traditionally start their enrollment in the autumn quarter, which is the beginning of the academic year. Since many courses are taught in sequence, students entering the university at other times may find it difficult to arrange a full program of study.
back to top of page
Quiz
A quiz is a short test, often given in class, with or without advance notice, at the discretion of the professor. Not all professors give quizzes. A test given in class without advance notice is often referred to as a "pop quiz."
back to top of page
UC Home 
