Page 40 - Undergraduate Handbook 2024-25

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ACADEMIC TERMINOLOGY FOR

ABU DHABI UNIVERSITY

Academic Year – The period of formal instruction that is semester.
divided into semesters and terms.
Grade Point Average (GPA) – A system of recording
Add/Drop - A process at the beginning of the semester achievement based on a numerical average of the grades
whereby students can delete or add classes online. attained in each course in a given semester or term.
Assessment - The gathering of evidence of student Internship – An organized and supervised career-related
learning and achievement to guide instructional decisions professional experience. Academic credits are awarded
and aid student learning. for the learning acquired through their work experience,
depending upon their performance evaluation. Internships
Blackboard or Blackboard Learn – Web-based tool that are administered using well planned syllabi and work plans
allows students to access course materials and resources. during the period of training, which are supervised by site-
Concentration - It is best thought of as a grouping of supervisors and college-supervisors.
courses which represent a sub-specialization taken within Major – A student’s principal field of study.
the major field of study. A concentration may be specified
on the diploma or in the student’s academic record Midterm exam – An exam administered midway during
(transcript). the academic term covering class material studied until
that point.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) – The overall
average of all course grades attained during the student’s Minor – A subject in which the student takes the second
enrollment at Abu Dhabi University. The CGPA is used for greatest concentration of courses.
a number of academic decisions, including awards and
academic probation. Pre-requisite – Program or course that a student is
required to complete before being permitted to enroll in a
Degree – Diploma or title conferred by a college, university, more advance program or course.
or professional school upon completion of prescribed
program of studies. Professional Academic Advisor – A full-time staff
member within each college who advises and counsels
Degree Program – The term degree program is used at students on programs and course selection, institutional
Abu Dhabi University to indicate the total academic credit policies, career choices, effective study habits, and/or other
requirements a student must complete in order to earn a academic and career-oriented decisions.
specific degree/diploma from the University, i.e. a B.B.A.
degree program in Management. Study Plan - Each degree program will have study plans
for students entering in Abu Dhabi University. These study
Early Registration – A process of choosing classes in plans will specify the appropriate sequences of courses
advance. that students must take in order to graduate. Study plans
should include university requirements, major and elective
Elective – Course that student may choose to take for courses.
credit toward their intended degree, as distinguished from
a course that they are required to take. Term - Some courses may be offered in a time-shortened
period not less than 6 weeks, called a term, which
Field – The term field is used at Abu Dhabi University to nonetheless offers class contact time and out-of-class
indicate a broad academic area that generally includes assignments equivalent to a semester course.
several disciplines or subfields i.e. the field of business
administration includes the disciplines of management, Theme – The term theme is used at Abu Dhabi University
marketing, finance, accounting etc. to indicate a free choice of 9 credits from a selected list of
courses in a sub-discipline at the undergraduate level.
Full-time Student – A student who is enrolled at the
university taking at least a minimum load of 12 credits per

Abu Dhabi University | Undergraduate Handbook 2024 - 2025