Glossary
Following are definitions of some of the specialized or uncommon expressions and words found in the Graduate Academic Calendar.
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
CGPA |
Cumulative Grade Point Average |
GDLE |
Graduate Degree Level Expectations |
GGGM |
Governor General Gold Medal |
GPA |
Grade Point Average |
GPD |
Graduate Program Director |
LAC |
Library and Archives Canada |
LOP |
Letter of Permission |
LOA |
Leave of Absence |
MRP |
Major Research Paper/Project |
OVGS |
Ontario Visiting Graduate Students |
PMDip |
Professional Master’s Diploma |
SRC |
Scholarly Research and Creativity Activity |
YSGPS |
Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies |
| Course designation | Definition |
|---|---|
| Aegrotat (AEG) | Credit granted by the Vice-Provost and Dean, YSGPS, in consultation with the instructor, only under exceptional circumstances when there has been acceptable performance in a course and some course work remains to be completed. |
| Audit (AUD) | Course attended as auditor only. |
| Course not for credit (CNC) | Course not for credit in the current program, this designation is recorded on the transcript as information supplementary to the grade earned in the course. |
| Credit (CRT) | Transfer credit achieved through an acceptable grade in an equivalent graduate course which has been completed at Toronto Metropolitan University or in a graduate program at another institution and which is deemed equivalent to a course in the student’s graduate program. Equivalency is determined by the GPD or faculty member who is responsible for teaching the course in the student’s graduate program. Such credit should be granted as a part of the admission process. For a student already registered in the Program, this type of credit will normally require a Letter of Permission from the student’s GPD prior to registering in the course. Transfer credits will count toward the student’s graduation requirements but will not be used in grade point average calculation. Students may not receive transfer credits for more than 50% of their current Program course requirements. |
| Deferred (DEF) | An interim grade assigned during the investigation of academic misconduct (as described in Policy 60: Academic Integrity). The DEF grade will be replaced by an official course grade upon resolution of the matter. |
| Failure, Non Attendance (FNA) | Awarded by the instructor when the student has been absent from the majority of course meetings and/or has submitted no work for evaluation. This grade will be assigned when a student abandons a course without completing a formal withdrawal prior to established deadline dates. This grade is counted as a failure in the calculations of GPA and academic standing. |
| Grade not recorded (GNR) | Grades have not been submitted for an entire class. The student should immediately initiate an inquiry with the faculty member and/or graduate program. |
| Incomplete (INC) | Incomplete coursework or a missed final examination due to documented health or compassionate grounds. An INC can be awarded only when some work remains to be completed and when the completion of the outstanding work or an alternate examination may result in a passing final grade. The outstanding work or alternate examination must be completed by a specified date not later than the end of classes in the next term unless alternate arrangements have been made. The INC will be replaced by an official course grade when the work is completed, or with an “F” if not completed. An INC is not included in GPA calculation, nor as a credit or failed course. |
| In Progress (INP) | Indicates coursework in progress with at least one more term of formal course enrolment and study required for completion (e.g. extended absence requires repeating the course is still in progress). An INP is not included in GPA calculation, nor as a credit or failed course. |
| Passed (PSD) | Acceptable performance in a course graded only pass or fail, as predefined in the Graduate Calendar. |
| Key term | Definition |
|---|---|
Academic Year |
For graduate studies the academic year starts in the fall term and continues through the following winter and spring/summer terms. |
| Antirequisite | Students may not enrol in a course which lists, as an Antirequisite, one which they are also taking or in which they have already obtained standing. |
| Corequisite | Student must take Course A prior to or concurrently with Course B. |
Course |
A formally recognized academic unit of study approved for inclusion in one or more programs, which has a unique course code, title, and description recorded in the graduate calendar. |
| Course Credits | One course credit is equivalent to a one-term course taken for one term. It has a course weight of 1.00 for the purpose of GPA calculations. One module is equivalent to half of a one-term course and is normally taught in a 6 week session. |
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) |
A cumulative average calculated as an indicator of overall academic performance within an academic program. A CGPA is calculated as the sum earned grade points divided by the sum of the cumulative GPA weights, and rounded to the nearest hundredth. |
Doctoral Program |
The complete set and sequence of courses, combination of courses, and/or milestones prescribed by the University for the fulfilment of a doctoral degree. Degrees are granted for meeting the established requirements at the specified standard of performance consistent with the University’s Graduate Degree Level Expectations (GDLE). |
Dual-degree Program |
A formal agreement between a Toronto Metropolitan University program and another university that allows students to enroll at both institutions to complete the dual-degree program requirements and receive degrees from both institutions. |
Exchange Program |
A formal agreement between a Toronto Metropolitan University graduate program and another university that allows students to complete some program requirements at the other institution. |
Faculty/faculty |
When capitalized, an academic unit consisting of teaching departments/schools and established by Senate and the Board of Governors. The head of a Faculty is the Dean. Non-capitalized, the term “faculty,” for the purpose of this policy, refers to the academic teaching staff of the University. |
Graduate Program |
The complete set and sequence of courses, combination of courses, and/or milestones prescribed by the University for the fulfilment of a graduate diploma or degree. See also “Doctoral Program,” “Master’s Program,” and “Professional Master’s Diploma Program.” |
Interdisciplinary Program |
A graduate program that is delivered by faculty members from multiple Faculties. |
Joint Program |
A graduate program that is delivered by Toronto Metropolitan University in partnership with another institution under the auspices of a formal agreement. Students are enrolled at one institution and cross-registered at the other. Upon completion of program requirements, a single degree is granted with the names of both institutions on it. |
Master’s Program |
The complete set and sequence of courses, combination of courses, and/or milestones prescribed by the University for the fulfilment of a master’s degree. Degrees are granted for meeting the established requirements at the specified standard of performance consistent with the University’s Graduate Degree Level Expectations (GDLE). |
| Milestone | A component of a program which is required for graduation but is not offered in a traditional in-class course framework. Examples are theses, major research papers, major projects, comprehensive and candidacy examinations, dissertations, and WHIMIS certification. |
Non-course Program Requirement |
Non-course program requirements include but are not limited to graduate seminars, theses, major research papers, major research projects, comprehensive/candidacy examinations, dissertations, and required certifications. |
Ontario Visiting Graduate Student (OVGS) |
A provincial program that allows a graduate student enrolled at an Ontario university (home University) to complete a graduate course at another Ontario university (host University) while remaining registered at the student’s own institution with the approval of both institutions. |
| Pass/Fail Courses | Are not included in GPA calculations but are included in promotion status. |
| Prerequisite | Students must pass Course A before taking Course B. |
Professional Master’s Diploma Program |
The complete set and sequence of courses, combination of courses, and/or milestones prescribed by the University for the fulfilment of a professional master’s diploma program. Diplomas are granted for meeting the established requirements at the specified standard of performance consistent with the University’s Graduate Degree Level Expectations (GDLE). |
Program |
See “Graduate Program” |
Scholarly research and creative activity (SRC) Requirement |
Program requirements include but are not limited to theses, major research papers, major research projects, comprehensive/candidacy examinations, and dissertations. |
Student |
Generally, in policies and procedures relating to graduate students, this refers to an individual currently enrolled at Toronto Metropolitan University in a graduate program or course. |
| Term | Toronto Metropolitan University has three Academic Terms in the year: Fall (September-December), Winter (January-April) and Spring/Summer (May-August). |