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Terms and explanations

Understand the terms and abbreviations you encounter as a new student at the Faculty of Science.

Term   Explanation
 Academic quarter  Teaching sessions generally start at a quarter past the hour. So "10 o'clock" actually means 10:15 – but 10:00 is still 10:00!
 Recommended study plan  The sequence in which we recommend you take the courses.
 BI  Abbreviation for the Department of Biology.
 BMB  Abbreviation for the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This abbreviation is also commonly used to refer to the biochemistry and molecular biology programme.
 DE  Abbreviation for the Digital Exam system, where you must submit some of your written exam assignments.
 Dean  The head of a faculty is the dean. The current dean is Marianne Holmer.
 Your Competence Portfolio  Through workshops and selected courses under the name “Your Competence Portfolio,” you will sharpen your understanding of yourself and your academic and personal development.
 Examinatorium  Examinatoriums are the part of teaching that most closely resembles classroom teaching in upper secondary education. Also referred to as E-hours or exercise hours.
 ECTS  A unit of measurement for workload in courses and entire programmes. A full-time academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS, and 1 ECTS equals approximately 28 hours of work.
 Lecture  A type of presentation based on the curriculum.
 Subject council  An association that represents the interests of students in one or more closely related programmes.
 Faculty  An academic division at a university. SDU is divided into six faculties, including the Faculty of Science.
 FKF  Abbreviation for the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy.
 IMADA  Abbreviation for the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
 Department  The Faculty of Science is divided into four departments, each responsible for teaching and research within one or more academic fields.
 Instructor  Senior students who teach exercise hours.
 itslearning  The learning platform we use at SDU. You will often encounter the abbreviation 'ITSL.'
 Course code  A code consisting of 2-4 letters referring to a specific academic field or project type, and a serial number referring to a specific course.
 Laboratory exercise  An exercise session in a laboratory, typically a mix of demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Also referred to as L-hours.
 Credit transfer  Recognition of previously completed exams, allowing you as a student to complete your programme in less time than usual.
 NAT  Abbreviation for the Faculty of Science.
 Rector  The university's highest leader. The current rector is Jens Ringsmose.
 Semester  A half-year teaching and exam period. The autumn semester starts on 1 September, with exams typically in January and re-exams in February and March. The spring semester starts on 1 February, with exams typically in June and re-exams in August.
 Social tutor  Senior students who ensure that new students are introduced to a good social study environment.
 SPOC  The contact form you must use for all written inquiries to SDU Education and your study board.
 Special Needs Support (SPS)  You can apply for Special Needs Support (SPS) to complete your education if you are dyslexic or dyscalculic, have a psychological or neurological condition, or have a physical disability.
 Home group  A teaching group consisting of 20-30 students from the same programme. If your programme is divided into two or more home groups, you will be informed which home group you are in during the introduction day. It is not possible to change home groups.
 Study group  All new students at the Faculty of Science are divided into study groups consisting of approximately 5 students from the same home group.
 Head of Studies  The lecturer who, together with the study board, is responsible for planning, implementing, and developing selected programmes. The current heads of studies are Anton Pottegård for pharmacy, Kristian Debrabant for the science IT programmes, and Alexander Treusch for the rest of the science programmes.
 Study board  A democratically elected body consisting of an equal number of lecturers and students, which, together with the head of studied, has the overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and developing the programme governed by the study board.
 Programme regulations  The formal description of a programme, which includes details about admission requirements, objectives, duration, academic content, exam formats, and rules.