Glossary
Graduate Course
A graduate course is a discrete, time-delimited unit of instructional/learning activity identified by a course code, in which students enrol. Graduate courses must obtain the necessary approvals before it can be offered. All graduate courses must have an instructor in charge who has a Graduate Faculty Membership in the graduate unit(s) responsible for the course.
- Y (full course): 1.0 FCE, normally taken over two sessions (48 – 78 hours)
- H (half course): 0.5 FCE, normally taken over one session (24 – 39 hours)
Variations in timing and/or weight include: compressed, continuous, extended and modular
Variations in delivery include: traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, online
Concentration
The terms “field” and “concentration” are synonymous. It is an identified area of specialization or area of study in a graduate degree program that is related to distinct, demonstrable and collective strengths of the program’s faculty members. Fields/concentrations reflect the capacity of the research faculty to support graduate level research in specific areas.
For more information, please visit the School of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Definition
Compressed Course
A course that is offered in a compressed timeframe, e.g. offered over three consecutive weeks.
Continuous Course
A course that extends throughout a student's degree program. These courses will continuously roll over until a final grade is entered.
Degree Program
The complete set and sequence of courses, combinations of courses and/or other units of study, research and practice prescribed by an institution for the fulfillment of the requirements of a particular degree.
For more information, please visit the School of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Definition
Emphasis
A graduate emphasis is "an identified set and sequence of courses, and/or other units of study, research and practice within an area of disciplinary or interdisciplinary study (i.e. field), which is completed on an optional basis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the awarding of a degree, and may be recorded on the graduate's academic record.
For more information, please visit the School of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Definition
Extended Course
A course that partially continues into another academic session and does not have a standard end date. For example, a half course (0.5 FCE) that begins in September and has an end date of February 15.
Faculty Council, Faculty of Medicine
The senior body in the Faculty with responsibility for academic affairs. Faculty Council's membership base includes representation from the student body, faculty members, Chairs, Deans, and administrative staff. Major modifications typically require the approval of this governing body.
For more information, please click here
Field
The terms “field” and “concentration” are synonymous. It is an identified area of specialization or area of study in a graduate degree program that is related to distinct, demonstrable and collective strengths of the program’s faculty members. Fields/concentrations reflect the capacity of the research faculty to support graduate level research in specific areas.
For more information, please visit the School of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Definition
Full Course Equivalent (FCE)
The measurement used to indicate the length of a course. One half course is equivalent to 0.5 FCE and offered in the timeframe of one term/semester. One full course is equivalent to 1.0 FCE and offered over the course of 2 terms/semesters.
GLSE Graduate Curriculum Committee (GLSE – GCC)
The Graduate Life Sciences and Education Committee (GLSE) Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC) is chaired by the Vice-Dean of GLSE, with membership of Graduate Coordinators, select Graduate Administrators and student representatives across the degree programs offered in the Faculty of Medicine. Its role is to review all minor and major modifications, as well as new program proposals. It is the second approving governing body for all academic change proposals in the Faculty of Medicine.
FOM Education Committee
The Faculty of Medicine (FOM) Education Committee is responsible for making recommendations to Faculty Council on all matters of curriculum policy. As part of the divisional governance process, it is responsible for reviewing and providing the final approval for minor modifications to existing academic programs. With regards to major modifications and new program proposals, is it responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to Faculty Council.
For more information, please refer to Section 3.12. in the By-Laws of Faculty Council
Hybrid Course
A course that includes a majority of online instructional components, with some face-to-face components. Online instruction may be via synchronous or asynchronous web‐based learning technologies including, for example, online instruction, webcasts, podcasts, etc.
For guidelines on eLearning in Graduate Academic courses and programs, please click here.
Minor Modification
Minor modifications are changes to courses and program curriculum that do not change the nature or essence of a degree program’s learning outcomes. Generally speaking, such changes require two consecutive approvals at the divisional level.
Major Modification
A major modification to an existing program is a restructuring of a program, a merger of existing programs or a renewal of a program in order to keep it current with its academic discipline. The defining characteristic is that such modifications would change the learning outcomes of the degree program.
Modular Courses
A course that varies in timing and/or weight. It may have non-standard weights (i.e., other than 0.5 or 1.0 FCE; 0.33, or 0.75 FCE for example). Most modular courses are compressed, although they may be extended. Most have non-standard start/end and add/drop dates (i.e., the standard and end dates do not coincide with the standard SGS session dates). Modular courses with non-standard start/end dates require the graduate unit to establish suitable drop dates.
Online Course
A course that is delivered online such that the instructional components occur without the student and instructor being in the same physical location. Instruction may be via synchronous or asynchronous web‐based learning technologies including for example, online instruction, webcasts, podcasts, etc.
For guidelines on eLearning in Graduate Academic courses and programs, please click here.
UTAPS
The Policy for Approval and Review of Academic Programs and Units governs the approval of proposed new programs and the review of existing programs at the University of Toronto. The University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process (UTQAP) outlines the protocols for the assessment and approval of new programs, review of existing programs, modifications to existing programs, and closures of programs.
For more information, please visit the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs.