FRESHER BASICS
What is a semester?
A semester is the smallest unit of a students study period in the university. It is usually about three to four months. In the University of Lagos, two semesters make up a session. So, if one is to study a four year course, it would amount to eight semesters.
What is a session?
A session is a combination of two semesters. It is about seven to nine months in duration. It is usually counted as a year; the extra months is the time used for the holidays. So, if one is to study a four year course, it would amount to four sessions. Also, the idea of levels (level 100 to 400) is synonymous with sessions. So, your first session is your 100 level, your second session is your 200 level and so on.
What is a matric number?
Every university student has a matric number. Your matric number is like your student identity number. It is what tags you as a bonafide student of any department in the university. Matric numbers are given according to departments. Also, in the university of Lagos, you may not get your matric number until your second session (second year/level 200). Before then, your JAMB registration number would serve as your student identity number. A matric number, for example, usually looks like this ''090107029''. ''090'' represents the identity number of your set e.g. 2009/2010 set; ''107'' represents the identity number of your department e.g. philosophy department; and, ''029'' represents the number your name falls on according to alphabetical order of students surnames.
What is a department?
A department is an academic center representing a course of study in the university. When you apply to study pharmacy, for example, you are actually applying to belong to the department of pharmacy. In other words, a department is just like what we call class (e.g. science class or commercial class) in secondary school.
What is a faculty?
A faculty is a collection of various departments that possess similar characteristics. In the university, no department stands alone; it must belong to a class of its own which is a faculty. In other words, a faculty could be a collection of eight departments having a similar characteristic like, arts, science, and law e.t.c. in the University of Lagos, we have ten faculties. As a philosophy student, you belong to the faculty of arts which has six departments (Philosophy, History, Creative Arts, European languages, English and; French).
What is a course code?
A course code is a combination of a three letter and a three digit number code which is used to identify a particular course which is to be offered by a student. A course code is presented according to department and level/session. For example, a course code in the philosophy department could be ''PHY123''; ''PHY'' represents philosophy department (and not physics); ''1'' represents 100 level/year 1; and, ''23'' represents the course identity number. Again, for ''PHY375''; ''PHY'' represents philosophy department; ''3'' represents 300 level/year 3; and, ''75'' represents the course identity number.
What are units?
A unit is a number that represents the grading strength of a course. By grading strength, we mean the ability of a course to make your grades boom. The higher the units of any course, the more the grading strength. However, in the department of philosophy, most courses (if not all) have two (2) units i.e. they are 2 unit courses. It is only in year/session four that ‘project writing’ becomes 4 units. Also, in some other faculties, we have courses that count as 3 unit courses. More information on the importance of units comes up later.
