Glossary of terms A - D

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A B C D

A

academic appeal: where a student seeks to have a decision of the University on a matter relating to their course reviewed by a higher administrative body than the authority who made the decision. For example, when a faculty imposes a penalty on the basis of academic dishonesty, the student can appeal to the Appeals Committee of University Academic Board to have the decision reviewed if the student believes the finding to be unjust.

academic calendar: the official QUT calendar. The academic year is divided into three major teaching periods: Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Program. The calendar lists dates of teaching periods, exams and holidays for QUT students.

academic credit: see advanced standing .

academic dishonesty: any action or practice on the part of a student that undermines the purposes of assessment. See also cheating and plagiarism.

academic encumbrance: a sanction applied when a student is suspended, excluded or has their enrolment terminated for academic reasons. See also exclusion.

academic history: see academic transcript.

academic penalty: a penalty applied when a student is given a failing grade for a unit. It is also applied when a student fails to withdraw from a unit by the specified published date.

academic record: see academic transcript.

academic staff: the staff responsible for all teaching and research activities at the University. They include the professors, associate professors, lecturers and tutors.

academic transcript: a complete listing of courses, units, results and other information concerning a student's academic studies at a tertiary institution. Also known as an official academic record.

accreditation: when a university course is recognised by professional external bodies and/or industry organisations. For example, the Bachelor of Applied Science (Quantity Surveying) is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

additional SLE: see Student Learning Entitlement.

administrative charge: the fee applied to cover certain administrative processes and services, for example, late lodgement of forms, reinstatement of enrolment following administrative cancellation, review of pass grades, copy of examination script, statement of academic record, re-issue of student ID card, re-issue of award certificate.

admission: entry granted into a QUT course following confirmation that all requirements to study have been met. Usually precedes enrolment. Applications for undergraduate admission are processed through QTAC and postgraduate applications are generally made direct to QUT.

advanced diploma: a tertiary award (eg from TAFE) usually requiring a minimum of four teaching periods to complete. It requires skill and knowledge of a greater complexity and a higher level than expected at a diploma level. Usually requires a semester of study in addition to diploma requirements.

advanced standing: credit granted towards a student's current course from studies successfully completed at another tertiary institution or in another course at QUT. Can also be referred to as an exemption. See also block advanced standing .

agent: a business entity that has a formal agreement with QUT allowing it to recruit international students on behalf of QUT.

alternative entry: a means of applying to QTAC without having completed Year 12 or any other formal academic qualifications. Applicants are assessed on the basis of work experience, personal competencies, professional or postsecondary qualifications (eg an apprenticeship) and results from the STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test). (Year 12 students are not generally allowed to apply using Alternative Entry.)

alumni: a forum of all past graduates, academic staff, past and present Council members and other qualified members.

ANTA: see Australian National Training Authority.

appeal: see academic appeal.

AQF: see Australian Qualifications Framework.

articulation: the creation of links or study pathways both within the University and between institutions/sectors (eg QUT and TAFE) to enable students to move easily between courses as their needs change. For example, at QUT, the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration articulates into the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration, which in turn articulates into the Master of Business Administration.

ASPRO: Associate Professor.

assessment: work such as an examination, assignment, practical or performance that a student is required to complete to fulfil an educational purpose, such as to motivate learning or provide feedback, and/or to provide a basis for a record of achievement, such as grading.

associate degree: a two year sub-degree qualification accredited against higher education requirements, following year 12 or equivalent, or Certificate III or IV, and positioned alongside an advanced diploma. A shorter higher education qualification offering an exit point at the undergraduate level, or a fully articulated pathway into a bachelor degree for further in-depth study and professional preparation, or articulation into an advanced diploma for specialist industry competencies.

associate diploma: either an undergraduate or a VET (eg TAFE) award requiring two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, study.

assumed knowledge: QUT has replaced mandatory subject prerequisites for all applications to QUT courses (other than international applications) with an assumed knowledge scheme. Assumed knowledge indicates the minimum level of knowledge for students considering a course, but is not used as criteria for entry. Students without the assumed level of study are not prevented from enrolling, however they may be disadvantaged unless they undertake bridging courses during or prior to the first year of study.

attendance mode: the way a course is delivered. Classification is determined as:

• internal: student is studying all units in a teaching period through on-campus attendance
• external: student is studying all units in a teaching period via off-campus delivery methods such as distance education where instructional materials are delivered via post or online
• multi-modal: student is studying at least one internal and one external unit in a teaching period.

attendance type: can be full-time or part-time. Classification is determined as:

• full-time: student must be enrolled in 75 per cent or more of the standard credit points for a full-time semester
• part-time: student must be enrolled in less than 75 per cent of the standard credit points for a full-time semester.

Australian National Training Authority (ANTA): an Australian Government authority responsible for developing national policy, goals and objectives for the vocational education and training sector.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF): a twelve level structure which includes all qualifications in post-compulsory education and training (that is, after Year 10). The Australian Qualifications Framework ensures that all qualifications are consistent and recognisable throughout Australia.

AUSTUDY: an income support scheme for full-time students aged 25 years and over provided by the Australian Government agency, Centrelink.

authentication: verifying the identity of a person or process.

authority registered subject: a type of subject senior secondary students may study. Results in these subjects are recorded on the Senior Certificate but they are not included in the calculation of OPs and FPs. Formerly known as a board registered subject.

authority subject: a subject for which the course of study is based on a syllabus that has been approved by the Queensland Studies Authority. Results in authority subjects are recorded on the Senior Certificate and included in the calculation of OPs and FPs. Formerly known as a board subject.

AV: Audiovisual Services.

award course: a program of study leading to the award of a degree, diploma or certificate accredited by QUT.

award parchment: a certificate issued when students have completed their course requirements and have had an award conferred by the University Academic Board. Also known as degree certificate or testamur.

award with honours: made to a student within some QUT bachelor degree courses of four or more years duration who have recorded outstanding achievement in their course.

B

bachelor degree: the lowest level degree at a university, normally requiring at least three years of full-time study.

BEE: Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, QUT.

BGSB: Brisbane Graduate School of Business, QUT.

blackboard: a web-based system for accessing your course learning materials. Replaces the previous Online Learning and Teaching (OLT) system from 2008. Blackboard is linked from the QUT homepage.

block advanced standing: a type of advanced standing. It is a fixed number of credit points (not necessarily individual units) given on the basis of assessed learning outcomes judged to be equally acceptable within the structure of the course. For example, after completing a TAFE diploma course you may receive block advanced standing of 96 credit points towards a QUT undergraduate course.

block credit: see block advanced standing

board registered subject: see authority registered subject.

board subject: see authority subject.

bridging program: a course designed to enable a student to take up a new subject or course by covering the gap between the student's existing knowledge and skills and the assumed knowledge of the subject or course.

C

CA: see Carseldine campus.

Caboolture campus (CB): a campus site established by QUT and Brisbane North Institute of TAFE situated halfway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

CAE: see College of Advanced Education.

calendar: see academic calendar.

CAN: see Commonwealth Assistance Notice.

campus: the site/s on which a university is located. QUT has three campuses in Brisbane: Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove, Carseldine, and there is also QUT at Caboolture. See also location code.

cancellation of enrolment: when an award course or a program of non-award studies is discontinued . The cancellation may either be requested by the student or imposed by QUT if a student fails to adhere to administrative processes or pay charges.

Carseldine campus (CA): a QUT campus north of Brisbane. Areas of study offered on this campus are: Humanities and Human Services, Social Science Communication, Management, Human Resource Management, Environmental Science, Information Technology, Psychology & Counselling.

CB: see Caboolture campus.

census date: the date on which a student's enrolment is taken to be finalised. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP debts are incurred and Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) is consumed on census dates. Students must make their up-front payments and submit their request/s for Commonwealth assistance by the census date.

Centrelink: a government agency delivering a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community including income support for students, job seekers and people with disabilities.

certificate course: a Training and Further Education (TAFE) award requiring a minimum of 18 weeks full-time or equivalent part-time study.

certificate of completion: awarded when a student has successfully completed all assessment for shorter courses such as the General English program for international students; a formal qualification issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

certified copy: a photocopy of a document that has been certified by a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Declarations as being an exact copy of the original.

CGS: see Commonwealth Grant Scheme.

Chancellor: the honorary head of the University.

cheating: includes conduct such as bringing unauthorised material into an examination, communicating with others during examinations (whether by speaking or other means), reading the work of other examinees during the exam or attempting any of this type of conduct.

CHESSN: see Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number.

CIF: Creative Industries Faculty, QUT.

class code: a code that refers to whether a unit is to be studied internally or externally for the purpose of enrolment.

class contact: see contact hours.

CMD: see Course Materials Database.

cohort: see student cohort.

College of Advanced Education: any higher education institution other than university conducting courses in vocational studies.

combined award: an award or course delivered by two institutions and the graduation parchment has the logos of both institutions. Students will graduate with two types of awards, usually a diploma and a degree. For example, QUT in conjunction with TAFE Queensland offers the combined award Diploma of Business/Bachelor of Business (Business). Should not be confused with a combined degree.

combined degree: see double degree.

commencing student: a student who enrols for the first time in their course of study.

Commonwealth assisted student: a student who is a Commonwealth supported student or who is in receipt of a HELP loan or a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN): a notice that contains information about a student's enrolment and use of Commonwealth assistance.

Commonwealth contribution: the financial contribution that the Commonwealth makes towards the cost of a student's education.

Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS): the scheme through which Commonwealth contributions towards the cost of a student's education are made.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN): a unique identifier for each student that accesses Commonwealth assistance for higher education.

Commonwealth Learning Scholarships: scholarships provided by the Commonwealth for rural, low income and Indigenous domestic students studying undergraduate programs. Includes Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships and Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships.

Commonwealth supported place: a higher education place for which the Commonwealth makes a contribution towards the cost of the student's education.

Commonwealth supported student: a student who occupies a Commonwealth supported place.

Community Service Database: records all community service activities which involve QUT staff and students.

competency: student has achieved the required level of skill and ability.

compulsory unit: see core unit.

computer account: allows access to QUT's online facilities including QUT Virtual and WebMail.

contact hours: the number of hours that a student will be expected to spend at university attending lectures, tutorials, or practical/laboratory classes.

continuing student: a student who has already been enrolled in a course and has applied for future enrolment in that course.

Cooperative Education Program: a joint venture between employers and QUT to better prepare students for employment upon graduation. The program integrates a student's studies with an extended period of paid industrial experience. Students are enrolled during the industrial experience which becomes part of their undergraduate program.

core subject: see core unit.

core unit: a mandatory unit taken to fulfil the requirements for a particular award course.

corequisite unit: is one which, if not previously passed, is required to be studied concurrently with the other nominated corequisite unit.

Council: the body that is responsible for the entire management of the University. QUT Council comprises senior members of the professions for which QUT prepares graduates; appointees from higher education, government, commerce and industry; elected staff, students and members of Alumni, and the University's chief executive officer.

course: an approved program of study in a discipline or field leading to an award of the University. See also award course.

course code: a course identifier used for administrative purposes. All course codes comprise two letters followed by two numbers (XX99).

course completion: the semester and year in which a student expects to complete their course.

course coordinator: an academic staff member responsible for the facilitation of a course or courses.

course load: the minimum aggregated EFTSL value of units of study required to complete the course of study.

Course Materials Database (CMD): QUT uses CMD to manage the digitisation of copyright material in support of courses. It is a database of readings suggested by lecturers. Access to CMD is available via QUT Blackboard unit pages.

course summary sheet: a document that outlines a suggested order of units that satisfies the requirements for a particular course and major, including contact details for course and major coordinators and any special course requirements.

coursework masters: see masters by coursework.

coursework program: a program consisting of a series of specialist subjects in a structured class or seminar format. A research component may be required, but it must be less than two-thirds of the total assessable content for the program. For example, a 24-unit coursework program cannot have a research component of more than 16 units.

COW: Computers on Wheels. For loan through Audiovisual Services.

CP: see credit points.

credit: see advanced standing .

credit points: allocated to individual units in the higher education sector in order to give value to a unit, indicating its contribution to the requirements of a course and to the enrolment load of a student. Credit points are also an indicator of the amount of work the unit might entail.

credit transfer: advanced standing towards a QUT award may be given for assessable learning outcomes achieved through formal and/or informal learning, work-related experience and/or life experience. See also advanced standing.

CRICOS: Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

cross-institutional enrolment: an enrolment in part of a course or a unit through another institution which, on successful completion, can be credited to your course at your home institution. Permission from the appropriate Dean of Faculty must be sought prior to enrolment in order to guarantee credit.

cross-institutional student: a student from another tertiary institution who is studying at QUT without being enrolled in a QUT course.

cut-off rank/OP: see selection rank.

D

Dean: the head of a faculty who has responsibility for a unit or an award course and includes:

• the Director, Northern Campuses, in the case of a unit or an award course for which the Director is responsible
• the Director, QUT International College, in the case of a program of non-award studies for which the Director is responsible.

DEEWR: see Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

deferment:
1. QTAC: where a QTAC offered applicant wishes to delay the start of their studies at QUT.
2. Exams and assessment: where any component of assessed work within a unit of study is approved to be done by a specified later date.

For deferment of enrolment see leave of absence.

degree: an award given by a college or university confirming that the student has satisfactorily completed a course of study. At QUT, an undergraduate degree usually takes at least three years to complete.

department: a formal grouping of staff, equipment and physical facilities which is responsible for a major functional area. A department is usually a sub-unit of a division.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR): the Commonwealth Government Department responsible for higher education. Formerly known as the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC): the Commonwealth Government Department which provides and coordinates policy advice on the temporary entry to Australia of students. Formerly known as DIMIA/DIMA.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (DVC): the staff member at QUT who oversees the eight faculties and QUT Carseldine. Also responsible for academic policies and programs, the Oodgeroo Unit and chairs the University's Teaching and Learning Committee.

designated unit: a unit which a student is required to complete with a passing grade in order to continue in the award course.

DEST: see Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Dfee: a full fee-paying domestic undergraduate place.

dialin: off campus network access using a modem.

differential HECS student: a student who enrolled before 2005 but not before 1997.

DIAC: see Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

diploma: an undergraduate award usually placing more emphasis on practical skills than on theoretical content. Diplomas are typically two years of full-time study.

discipline: a field of related studies, eg biology, physics, mathematics, history, music, fashion design.

division: a number of departments and/or sections drawn together for the purpose of coordinating activities and for administrative efficiency and convenience. Divisions are separate to faculties. QUT's divisions are: Chancellery, Administrative Services, Finance and Resource Planning, Research and Commercialisation, International and Development, and Technology, Information and Learning Support.

domestic student: a student who is an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a permanent resident visa.

double degree: a combination of two QUT degree courses from different disciplines undertaken simultaneously. A double degree will add at least one year of study to the length of the longest single degree in the combination. Two degrees are awarded on completion.

double major: See major.

dual-sector award: See combined award.

duration: the length of time it would normally take a student to complete a course of study provided that all subjects are passed when first attempted. Usually expressed in terms of full-time and part-time (where available) study, for example 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.

DVC: See Deputy Vice-Chancellor.