1998-1999 Catalog

Academic advisor: A member of the college staff who helps students set educational goals and select courses to meet those goals.
Add: During any single semester, to enroll in additional course(s) after registration.
Admission: Formal application and acceptance as a credit student. A person wishing to enroll must complete an application, be accepted and receive a letter of acceptance from the Registrar before registering.
Audit: Enrollment in a credit course without receiving academic credit.
Catalog: The book containing course descriptions, certificate and associate degree requirements, and general information.
Class schedule: A booklet which is published prior to each semester listing classes, sections, dates, times, instructors' names and meeting places. This booklet is used by students in preparing personal class schedules each semester.
Common Course Numbers: Beginning in the Fall of 1995, the Common Course Number became the official number of the course. This same Common Course Number is being used for the same course by a number of colleges throughout Texas to help students identify how a course will transfer. However, the lack of a Common Course Number does not necessarily mean a course will not transfer.
Common Learning: "General Education" as defined by the DCCCD. Common Learning courses contain learning experiences which provide knowledge and skills necessary for living well and functioning competently in rapidly-changing local, state, national and world communities.
Concurrent enrollment: (a) Enrollment by the same student in two different DCCCD colleges at the same time; (b) Enrollment by a high school student in one of the DCCCD colleges while still enrolled in high school; (c) Enrollment by a student in two courses in the same semester; (d) Enrollment in both a DCCCD institution and another college at the same time (e) Enrollment in both credit and Continuing Education courses at the same time.
Course Load: The number of hours or courses in which a student is enrolled in any given semester.
Credit: The numerical value assigned to a course (see "CREDIT HOURS/SEMESTER HOURS").
Credit hours/semester hours: The unit of credit earned for course work. Each college course is worth a certain number of credit or semester hours. This number is determined by the type of class and the number of hours per week it meets. For example, a 3-credit hour class (English, history, etc.) meets 3 hours per week during the fall/spring semester; a 4-credit-hour class (science, languages, etc.) meets 6 hours per week. Check the catalog or the current class schedule for the value of any course you wish to take.
Credit/non-credit: Credit classes are those which award academic credit and may apply toward a degree. Non-credit classes do not apply toward a degree and are usually offered through Continuing Education.
DCCCD: Dallas County Community College District comprised of Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland Colleges, plus the Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development.
Developmental Studies Courses: Courses which develop prerequisite skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Because of the nature of these courses, the credit earned will not count toward graduation requirements and may not be transferred to colleges outside the DCCCD.
Drop: The act of officially withdrawing from a particular course without penalty before a specified date. See the calendar at the first part of this catalog for "Last Day To Withdraw." It is the student's responsibility to drop a course by the date published.
Dual credit: Credit earned for both high school and college via concurrently enrolled high school students.
Electives: Courses which do not count toward a major but are required for most college degrees. Electives are selected for personal interest, skill development, or to increase one's knowledge or understanding. Consult with an advisor before deciding upon electives.
Fee: A charge, in addition to tuition charges, which the college requires for services.
Flexible-entry course: A course beginning and ending on dates which are different from the regular semester. This is also referred to as "flex-entry" or "short semester registration." Consult the class schedule for further information.
Former student: One who has attended a DCCCD college in the past but not during the previous long semester.
Full-time student: A student who is enrolled for at least 12 credit hours during a semester or for 6 credit hours during a summer session. The student may be enrolled in one or more DCCCD colleges as long as the total number of hours meets the full-time requirement.
GPA: Grade Point Average. Two different ways of computing a GPA are utilized. For further explanation, see catalog section entitled "Scholastic Standards."
Grade points: See catalog section entitled "Scholastic Standards."
Grades: See catalog section entitled "Scholastic Standards."
Lab hours: The number of hours a student spends each week in a laboratory or other learning environment.
Lecture hours: The number of hours a student spends each week in a classroom other than a laboratory.
Major: The subject or field of study in which the student plans to specialize. For example, one "majors" in Automotive Technology, Business, etc.
Part-time student: A student who is enrolled for less than 12 credit hours during a semester or less than 6 credit hours in a summer session. The student may be enrolled in one or more DCCCD colleges as long as the total number of hours meets the part-time requirement.
Performance grade: A grade of A, B, C, D or F. This does not include the grades of W, I or WX. See catalog section on "Academic Information" for more on grades and grade point averages.
Prerequisite: A requirement which must be met BEFORE enrolling for a specified course. For example, the prerequisite for English 1302 is the successful completion of English 1301. A prerequisite may be another course (high school or college), an appropriate assessment score, or permission of the instructor.
Probation: A warning for a student whose academic work or behavior is unsatisfactory. Students on academic probation may be suspended if their academic performance does not improve.
Registration: The official process for enrolling in courses. This involves selecting classes with the help of an advisor, completing all registration forms and paying fees. Check the class schedules for registration dates.
Section: A number indicating day/evening, hour, room number and name of instructor for a particular course.
Semester: A term denoting the length of time a student is enrolled in a specific course. For example, there are two long semesters (Fall and Spring) which last approximately 16 weeks. There are two summer sessions or "semesters" (Summer I and Summer II) which last approximately 5 weeks.
Skills for Living: Skills needed for living well with oneself, others and changing environments. Skills for Living are discussed and learned throughout the curriculum and provide basic goals for all Common Learning courses.
Student services fee: A fee for activities and services to students, which are considered separate and apart from the regularly scheduled academic functions of the college. Such activities and services include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: health services, recreational activities, automobile parking privileges, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, artists and lecture series, cultural entertainment series, student publications, and/or student clubs/government.
TASP: Texas Academic Skills Program; see special section in this catalog about this testing program.
Technical/occupational courses: Courses which lead to a certificate or Associate of Applied Science Degree in a technical or occupational program. These courses are designed to aid the student in developing entry-level skills to be utilized in the job market. Consult an advisor regarding transferability if you plan to attend a four-year institution.
Tech-Prep: Tech-Prep is an educational process which prepares students for emerging, technologically-advanced careers.
Telecourses: Courses providing flexibility and convenience for students seeking college credit with minimum campus visits. Students watch the course television programs at home on regular broadcasts or cablecasts, complete the study guide and reading assignments, take tests on campus and attend optional discussion meetings. Instructors are available during regular office hours or via telephone when assistance is needed.
Transfer courses: Courses which are designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. Students need to consult with an advisor or counselor about the transferability of specific courses. Because a course will transfer does not mean it will apply toward a specific major or degree at a four-year college or university.
Transcript: An official copy of a student's academic record which can be obtained through the Admissions Office. An official transcript must have the seal of the college affixed and the signature of the Registrar.
Withdrawal: The act of ending enrollment in classes. A student withdrawing must go through a formal procedure. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw officially by the appropriate date. See the calendar in this catalog or the class schedule for the "Last Day to Withdraw."