Important Terms

A catalogue of the classes offered by the university. The Academic Calendar also lists admission and degree requirements, university rules, regulations and important dates. It is available online.

An online listing of the classes offered at Dalhousie in a given term. It includes information on class days and times, location, enrolment statistics and professors, as well as the course reference number (CRN) needed to register for the class from Dal Online.

Once you've been accepted, you'll receive a package from Dalhousie. It will include your acceptance letter with your student number (Dalhousie ID), information on scholarships and financial aid, and a "Next Steps" brochure that contains information for accepted students.

A unit used to measure the time spent in a class. Generally a full credit is a class taken over two terms (fall and winter). In most programs, one full credit is the same as a class designated as 6 credit hours, or a class labeled X/Y (e.g., ENGL 1000 X/Y.06). Half a credit is designated as 3 credit hours (e.g., BIOL 1010.03). In most programs, it is required that students obtain 20 full credits (120 credit hours) prior to their graduation.

A unique, 5-digit identifier for each class section. CRNs are the key piece of information you will need to register for classes online. You can find the CRN for each class by looking on the Academic Timetable.

Your university identification card. Your DalCard has many functions aside from identification; it serves as a library card and an access card to Dalplex, your residence, and other buildings on campus. Money can be placed on your DalCard to allow you to use it on and off campus at various eateries and service stores.

A nine-character identification number in the format B00######. This number can be found on your acceptance letter.

A web service that can be reached directly at dalonline.dal.ca. For students, Dal Online provides access to online registration. Dal Online also has information on student accounts, T2202A tax receipts, final grades, degree audits and personal information.

Units that make up a Faculty and have a specific specialization under the broader area represented by the faculty. For example, Biology is a department within the Faculty of Science; Political Science is a department in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science.

All degree programs include required classes and electives. An elective is a class you choose to take out of interest.

Departments (such as English, History and Theatre) are grouped into divisions called Faculties. Dalhousie Faculties include: Agriculture, Architecture, Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Dentistry, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Law, Management, Medicine, Science. Professors are known as faculty members.

Along with a password of your choice, your NetID is used to access:

• DalOnline (class registration, marks, etc.)
• MyDal (email account)
• Blackboard (online course management system)
• As well as access to computers in labs on campus.

This alphanumeric sequence becomes your Dalhousie email address.

Note: You can personalize your email address so that it's easier for others to recognize and remember. 

A class, or classes, that need to be taken before you can register for a more advanced class. For example, you need first year English before you can take second year English.

The Registrar's Office maintains all information about students while they are at Dalhousie. It also provides certain student services, such as admission to Dalhousie, graduation checks, financial aid and awards. The Registrar is the person who heads the Registrar's Office.

A class you have to take to fulfill your specific degree program. For example, all students pursuing a BA in International Development Studies take two required classes: INTD 2001 and 2002.

A student pursuing a bachelor's degree or a technical diploma. Undergraduates cannot enrol in graduate-level classes. An undergraduate degree (bachelor's) can be a stepping stone to post-graduate programs, such as: medical school, education programs, an MBA, a master's degree or law school.