Glossary

U of M General Terminology

Billing Deadline - The monthly-occurring date on which full payment of your student account is due. PSEO students are not eligible for installment plans. See the Finances page for more details.

Canvas- The online course system ("learning management software") used by the University of Minnesota. You will use this system for any online or partially online classes.

Internet ID/"x500" - The information before the @ symbol in your U of M e-mail address.

MyU - The primary web portal for U of M students. You will use MyU to register for classes, view your grades, pay your student account, and more.

One Stop - The most widely used University of Minnesota resource for current students. One Stop assists students with transcripts, records, billing, payment, and registration.

Student Account - A summary of financial transactions not covered by PSEO. Anything you charge to your U Card will show up in your student account. See the Finances page for more details.

Student ID Number - The 7-digit number found on the back of your U Card and in your admission letter (for new students).

U Card - U of M student ID card. See the U Card page for more details.

Academic Terminology

College - A specialized, independent unit within the University of Minnesota. Each college offers different specific majors. To pursue a major, you will need to be admitted to the college which offers the major. See the Careers & Majors page for resources, including a link to a list of all majors offered at the U of M.

Degree Requirements - Requirements set by the University of Minnesota that must be met for any student to obtain a degree. Degree requirements include minimum number of credits, minimum GPA, and others. See the University of Minnesota's policy on undergraduate degree requirements.

Degree-Seeking Student - A student who is officially admitted to a degree program.

Grade Basis - The grading system used for a course. Depending on the course, grade basis options could include A-F, S/N, or Audit; some courses allow only certain grade bases. You select a grade basis when you enroll in a course. PSEO students must take courses with an A-F grade basis, and can only use the S-N grade basis if it is the only option for a course. PSEO students cannot audit courses. See the Grade/Enrollment Policies page for more details.

Hold/Service Indicator - A marker placed on your student record. Different holds have different impacts. You can see information about any holds on your student record in MyU.

Liberal Education Requirements ("General Requirements") - In addition to major requirements, all U of M students must fulfill liberal education requirements to graduate, regardless of major or college. Review One Stop's U of M liberal education requirements  page for more information.

Major - A group of courses required to receive a specific degree. To obtain a any degree at the University of Minnesota, a student must be admitted to the college that offers his or her major of choice and fulfill all the major requirements (and liberal education requirements). When students apply to the University of Minnesota, they also apply for admission to one or more colleges within the University of Minnesota. See the Careers & Majors page for resources, including a link to a list of all majors offered at the U of M.

Major/Program Requirements - The courses required to receive a degree in a specific major. See the Careers & Majors page for resources, including a link to a list of all majors offered at the U of M and the requirements for each major.

Mid-Term (Exam) - An exam given near the middle of an academic term.

Non-Degree Student - A student who is not officially admitted to a degree program. PSEO students are non-degree students.

Semester - The academic term system used by the University of Minnesota. Fall semester spans from early September to late December. Spring semester spans from mid-January to early May.

Syllabus - An academic document given to students of a course at the beginning of the term, usually on the first day of class. The syllabus will outline assignments, grading information, course policies, instructor contact information, late work/absence policies, and other important course information. Students should always read the complete syllabus for each course at the start of the semester.

Term - A portion of an academic year. At the University of Minnesota, fall and spring terms are called "semesters" due to length; May and summer terms are simply called "terms" (i.e. "May term" vs. "spring semester").

PSEO Terminology

Book Reissue Request Form – If you have a textbook which will be used for two courses in a sequence (i.e. Calculus I in fall and Calculus II in spring), this form allows you to keep your textbook or material for the second course. See the Returning Your Course Materials page for more details.

High School Balance Sheet – This form lists your remaining high school graduation requirements. You will need to have your high school counselor complete and sign this form prior to each semester for you to submit.

Pre-Registration Appointment – An appointment with your PSEO advisor prior to each semester you intend to enroll in courses; these appointments are required or optional for different student groups (juniors/seniors, new/returning students). Your advisor will send you an e-mail invitation when it’s time to schedule your appointment.

PSEO Notice of Student Registration (NOSR) or "PSEO Form" – This form is used to confirm your registration in and eligibility for PSEO. You (and a parent or guardian if you’re under 18) will need to complete and sign Part 1 of the form, and your high school counselor will need to complete and sign Part 2 of this form. You should complete and submit this form prior to each semester. You will not be able to register for classes before you submit this form.

PSEO Summer Term Activation Request Form - PSEO funds do not cover May term or summer term courses. Complete this form if you wish to pay out-of-pocket for May term or summer term courses. The PSEO Office will send an e-mail notice each spring with information about May and summer term courses and a link to this form.

Reimbursement Form – Some classes require you to purchase materials that are not available through the Bookstore Scholarship Desk. Use this form to get reimbursed for qualifying expenses. See the Reimbursements page for more details.

WRIT 1301 Enrollment Request Form - WRIT 1301 "University Writing" or "Freshman Writing" only allows PSEO students to enroll in a few PSEO-reserved seats before the semester starts.  Due to the course's high demand and limited number of PSEO-reserved seats, the PSEO Office handles the enrollment of its students into WRIT 1301. In May and December when registration for PSEO students opens, students can fill out a form to request enrollment in WRIT 1301. See the WRIT 1301 page for more details.

College Abbreviations