Glossary of Advising and Academic Terms
(Here’s what we said – this is what it means!)
Academic Calendar – The calendar giving start and end dates for each semester; the dates to drop a class and get a refund, dates the College is open and closed, the last date to withdraw for the semester, and other important dates. The Academic Calendar is published in the Credit Course schedule each semester.
Academic Catalog – The annual College publication that lists all majors and degrees, all courses and their descriptions, all academic and College policies, and current faculty and staff members. It is available online, on CD, and in print. Students refer to the Academic Catalog to look up their major requirements and to learn college policies.
Advising – Meeting with an Advisor. The process of setting academic and career goals and creating an educational plan which includes developing strategies and using resources and services to reach your goals.
Audit – Taking an academic course, but not planning to earn the credits or receive a grade.
Course Descriptions – Overview of each course, including topics to be covered and pre-requisites needed to enroll in it; found in the Academic Catalog and Credit Courses Schedule.
Credit Courses Schedule – The published schedule of classes offered each semester; gives days and times for each course along with required pre-requisites and descriptions. Students use the Credit Courses Schedule to select classes and build their schedule each semester.
Credits – Units of credit assigned to a course based on the number of hours in class. Credits can be from 1 credit for a brief, once-a-week PE course to 4 credits for a science class that meets in both a lecture and a lab section each week.
Current Student - A student who is taking classes at FCC now, or has taken classes at FCC within the past two years.
Developmental English or Math – Classes that are intended to develop students’ basic academic skills in preparation for college-level courses. Credits are based on contact hours for tuition, but do not count toward graduation as they are not college-level courses. Enrollment in developmental courses is based on placement testing.
General Education courses – Required courses from various academic disciplines that have been designated to provide a broad, general knowledge; courses are found on the General Education Course List published in the credit course schedule each semester..
Major – An academic area of study; also called a program of study.
New Student - A student who has not yet attended FCC, or who is beginning his/her first semester at FCC.
Placement Test – An assessment of academic reading, writing and/or mathematical skills to determine accurate placement of students into classes.
Pre-Registration – That time during the Registration period when students can sign up for classes and pay later! All current students are encouraged to register early during Pre-Registration.
Registration – Signing up for classes online using the Peoplesoft registration system or handing in a Registration form in the Registration and Records Center in J-101.
Semester – A timeframe for academic study. FCC has the following semesters: Fall, Jan Term, Spring, and Summer.
Withdrawal – To officially discontinue attending a course which REQUIRIES students to either drop the course online, or to complete the Drop section of a Registration form submitted to Registration and Records Center in J-101. A student who stops attending a class, but does not officially withdraw, will receive an automatic F grade. Withdrawals must take place prior to the “last date to withdraw” listed in the Academic Calendar for each semester.