HELPFUL WEBERBIZ WORDS
wondering what that word means? Here are some helpful hints to help you decifer all those collegiate terms.

Word

Definition

Credit or Credit Hours

The number of hours assigned to a specific class. This is usually the number of hours per week you are in the class. A typical Weber State course is 3 credit hours.

Lower Division

Lower-division courses introduce students to an academic discipline. They provide an overview of foundational theories, concepts, and methods. Usually courses numbered 1000-2999. Typically considered to be freshman or sophomore level.

Upper Division

Upper-division courses build on the foundational knowledge gained during lower-division classes. These courses take an advanced approach and often require students to possess prior knowledge in the field. Usually courses numbered 3000-4999. Typically considered to be junior or senior level.

General Education

Classes that give students basic knowledge of a variety of topics. Students must take general education classes in order to graduate.

Major Requirement

Requirements that must be met for completion of a program of study. These may include a minimum number of credit hours, required GPA, prerequisite and elective courses within the specified major, and/or minor areas of study.

Faculty Office Hours

Time set aside by professors or teaching assistants for students to visit their office and ask questions or discuss the course they teach. Your professor or teaching assistant will tell you at the beginning of the term when and where office hours will be every week.

Core (GE)

Classes that give students basic knowledge of a variety of topics, such as English, math, history, and information literacy. Students must take general education classes in order to graduate.

Breadth (GE)

Classes that give students basic knowledge of a variety of topics which are broken into three main categories: 1) Humanities & Creative Arts, 2) Social Sciences, 3) Physical & Life Science. Students must take general education classes in order to graduate.

FERPA

FERPA is the acronym for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This is a federal law that protects the privacy of student records.

University

A university is composed of undergraduate, graduate, and professional colleges and offers degrees in each.

College

A college is an institution of higher education that grants degrees and certificates. The term is also used to designate the organizational units of a university such as the College of Engineering or the School of Business.

Department

A department is a unit within a college that oversees one or more majors.

In-Person Class

Courses you take in a traditional classroom where you are face-to-face with the instructor and other students.

Online class

Courses you take by computer instead of in a traditional classroom where there is no specified meeting time.

Virtual class

Courses you take by computer instead of in a traditional classroom which take place at a specific time and day, usually on Zoom.

Hybrid

Courses you take that are a mix of a traditional face-to-face classroom time and by computer.

University Locations 

WSU (Ogden), Davis (Layton), Farmington 

Registration

Signing up for a class(es)

First block

Classes that are taught during the first half of the semester. The course content and volume of work is the same as a regular class but condensed into half the time.

Second block

Classes that are taught during the second half of the semester. The course content and volume of work is the same as a regular class but condensed into half the time.

Full semester 

Classes that are taught over the course of the entire semester.

Canvas

A web-based software that instructors use to house student’s classes, homework, and grades.

Elective

A class you can take that is not specifically required by your major or minor and only counts for extra credit hours.

Major Elective

A class you choose from a pool of available classes that is specifically required by your major or minor.

Academic Advisor

A faculty or staff member that provides students with information regarding degree requirements, recommended coursework, programs of study, academic support services, and policies and procedures defining academic progress.