Banner Terminology

PROGRAM

A programme of study, typically a degree programme such as BA English. The top level in the curriculum structure. Students enrol on a programme which may contain a number of themes. Programmes are defined at UG, PGT and PGR level.

MAJOR

Major in Banner represents the theme of a programme. Sometimes called a pathway, specialism or study route. Themes within a programme will generally have an element of commonality, normally at least a common first year, after which students start to specialise in subjects related to their chosen theme.

COURSE

A module, a discrete unit of assessment. A student will take a number of modules which build towards their award. Previously called units.

SECTION

A particular instance of a course/module being offered e.g. in the evening mode or offered in semester 1.

CRN

Course Reference Number. The CRN is the identifier attached to a section for scheduling and timetabling purposes, and is the number a student uses to register on a course/module.

CREDIT HOURS

The number of credits associated with a course/module.

ATTRIBUTE

The year of study that the student is on.

LEVEL

Term used in Banner for the level at which a whole programme or a course/module is pitched e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate.

TERM

An academic year or session. The term codes used in Banner will be 200809, 200910 etc.

PART OF TERM

A semester.

EFFECTIVE TERM

Indicates the academic session from and to which an activity will take place. The date shown for an Effective Term in Banner is not inclusive i.e. if a course/module is effective to 200809 it will cease before the beginning of that academic year.

SPECIFIC TERM

The association of an activity with only one academic session e.g. schedule a class for one particular academic year.

COLLEGE

A School, in the context of the new University of Southampton structure e.g. School of Social Sciences.

AREA

Area in Banner represents Part of a degree programme. A Bachelors degree normally consists of three parts. For full time students each part relates to a year of study, but part time students will commonly take two years to complete each part of the programme.

LOV

List of values - indicates that there is a list behind a particular field of the database.

FACULTY

An individual member of academic staff involved in teaching e.g. Faculty Load means staff load.

CAPP

Curriculum Advising and Program Planning. Part of the Banner system that is used to record information about programmes and their requirements (e.g. such as compulsory and optional modules and rules associated to optional modules).

CATALOG

The part of Banner where modules are recorded.

ACADEMIC HISTORY

The part of Banner where student grades/marks and progress are recorded.

COMPONENT

An element of assessment within a section e.g. an examination or piece of coursework.

ENROLMENT

Process by which a student signs up to their programme of study (currently known as registration).

REGISTRATION/ PRE-REGISTRATION

Process of selection of optional modules/courses by a student.

ASSESSMENT

Usually means the process of calculating students' fees.

GENERAL PERSON

A term used in Banner for someone associated with the University whether as an enquirer, applicant, student, or member of academic staff.

NON-PERSON

An organisation, student sponsor or company associated with the University e.g. the Student Loan Company, or IBM as a student sponsor.

GENERAL STUDENT

The part of Banner used to maintain student records.