Academic quarter-hour? Demo? Faculty? For the definitions of these and many other words and concepts related to university life, see this vocabulary.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y
A
Ablaut ry is the subject association for students of German at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Campus. More info: ablautry@gmail.com, Facebook (Ablaut Ry).
Abstract A brief summary at the beginning of a research article.
Academic quarter-hour is the salvation of late risers. Lectures and lessons at the university start 15 minutes after the full hour, unless otherwise specified. E.g. a 10–12 lecture starts at 10.15. If the lecture or lesson was specified to start at 10.00, it will start at ten o’clock. Exams always start on the full hour.
Academic subject is a unit that provides teaching in a specific field of study. Studies in an academic subject are grouped into three stages: basic, intermediate and advanced studies. Major subject means the academic subject to which the student has been accepted to complete their degree. Students must complete all three stages of studies in their major subject. A student’s other academic subjects are called minor subjects.
Academic subject tutor is a university staff member who helps new students in planning their studies, for example.
Academic term, Academic year See Academic calendar
Advanced studies are studies that can be started after completing the basic and intermediate studies. Advanced studies were previously called laudatur studies.
Agora is one of the buildings at Joensuu Campus. Agora is situated opposite to Carelia and houses the Schools of Theology and Humanities, among others. Agora also has a café.
AHOT see RPL
Alumnus, Alumni A person who has graduated from university, see: Alumni
Amanuensis refers to one of two things, depending on the context:
- An amanuensis is a faculty employee who primarily works as a study counsellor, but whose duties may also include administrative and IT tasks and teaching.
- An amanuensis can also be a medical student who interns at a hospital as part of the mandatory training included in a Licentiate of Medicine degree and/or during clinical studies. The amanuensis is simultaneously an intern, a hospital employee and a student receiving practical instruction and training in the application of theoretical medical knowledge. The goal is that during the amanuensis period, students expand their knowledge of the practical side of the medical profession.
Annual sticker You will receive the annual sticker for the academic year once you have paid the student union’s annual membership fee. The annual sticker entitles you to Finnish Student Health Services, reduced price lunches and other benefits for students.
App is short for application.
Approbatur is the old name for basic studies of around 15 ECTS credits in scope.
Aurora building is located at Joensuu Campus at the address Yliopistokatu 2. On the first floor of the building is the group workspace Lounge. In Aurora, you will also find the Student and Learning Services as well as Business and Law Schools.
B
Bachelor’s degree is a lower university degree 180 ECTS credits.
Bachelor’s thesis is the first university thesis completed by students. As the final project in a bachelor’s degree, it is included in the degree requirements. A maturity test on the thesis is also required for a bachelor’s degree.
Basic studies are a study module of roughly 25 ECTS credits for learning the basics of the academic subject.
Blended learning makes use of a variety of teaching and learning methods: independent study and group work, and contact instruction and web-based learning. Study methods in blended learning may include learning assignments, exercises, lectures, small group work and guidance.
Boilersuit or student overalls is an article of clothing worn mainly at student parties. Boilersuits are commonly worn by students at universities and universities of applied sciences. Students sew patches to their boilersuit as memorabilia received at student events or exchanged with other students. The colour of the boilersuit and the university’s or student union’s logo on the back indicate the bearer’s place of study and study programme.
Book exam is taking an examination on the literature associated with a course. Literature specified in advance or agreed with the examiner is read for the exam.
Borealis is situated on the Joensuu Campus and houses the Faculty of Forestry, among other functions. The building also has a student cafeteria.
Bunsen ry is the subject association for chemistry major and minor subject students at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Campus. More info: bunsenry@gmail.com, Facebook (Bunsen ry) and Instagram (bunsen_ry)
C
Campus means the university area. The University of Eastern Finland has two campuses located in Joensuu and Kuopio.
Canthia is a building on the Kuopio Campus. It houses Oppari and other spaces for independent study as well as a student cafeteria.
Carelia is situated in the centre of Joensuu Campus. In Carelia, you’ll find the university’s largest library, largest auditorium (C1) and a student cafeteria. In the lobby, you will also find Infospot, the information point for Joensuu Campus.
Certificate of student status is an official document that the student can use to prove that they have registered as present at the university. Another name for the document is ‘certificate of attendance’.
Course is the basic unit of studies that covers one subject matter or theme. Courses may be divided further into smaller partial study attainments that together form the course. The scope of each course is defined in ECTS credits.
Course books are the required reading for each course. The university’s libraries have a separate collection of course books that holds at least one copy of every course book used at the university. Some course books can be loaned out, while others can only be read at the library. Some course books are also available as e-books.
Curriculum describes the mission and academic and professional goals of education, the degree structure and its included courses and their scope, descriptions of the courses, and a plan on the organisation of study counselling and personal study plan (HOPS) guidance for students of the academic subject or study programme. The descriptions of courses describe teaching and learning goals, the topics to be taught and studied, study and completion methods, and the evaluation of study attainments. The curricula for each academic subject are confirmed by the Faculty Council and published as study guides in Peppi. See study regulations section 20.
D
Dean leads operations at a faculty and acts as the chair of the Faculty Council. The Dean and Vice Dean are elected from among the professors of the Faculty Council. The Dean directs and supervises the faculty’s operations and serves as the Chair of the Faculty Council. The Dean of a faculty signs the faculty’s student admission decisions and degree certificates, for example.
Degree structure is the detailed structure of each degree, as confirmed by the faculty and based on requirements laid down in the Government Decree on University Degrees.
Degree studies refer to bachelor’s, master’s, licentiate or doctoral studies that lead to a degree.
Delve is an internal search function in Office 365 that allows you to find files to which you have access rights.
Demonstration or Demo is a more practical and hands-on form of learning compared to a lecture.
Dentina ry is the subject association for students of dentistry. More info: dentina.fi, Facebook (Dentina ry)
Department is the smallest unit in which teaching and research is organised. A department may have one or more academic subjects.
Diploma Supplement (DS) is an attachment to the diploma intended for international use. it contains additional information on the degree in question, on the educational institute, and on the education system of the country in which the diploma was issued.
Dissertation is a thesis that forms part of doctoral degree studies, defended by the author in a public examination of the dissertation. A dissertation can be an independent study or a combination of several articles or publications.
Distance exams usually refer to supervised exams booked by the student themselves and held off-campus.
Docent is a person who has the capacity for independent research as demonstrated by publications or some other manner, and has teaching qualifications in their own field. Docents can also participate in research work.
Doctoral degree is the highest level of degrees in the university. Achieving a doctoral degree requires completing academic postgraduate studies and writing a dissertation.
E
E-book is a book that is available in an electronic format.
Echo ry is the English students’ association at UEF. All English students are welcome to join Echo. More info: website, echo.uef@gmail.com, Facebook (Echo ry) ja Instagram (Echo_ry).
ECTS credit The number of ECTS credits earned depends on the workload required to complete the course. The average workload required to be put in studies over a single academic year, 1600 hours, corresponds to 60 ECTS credits. In addition to lectures, exercises and other teaching, the workload includes independent study by the student.
Educa is a building at Joensuu Campus at the address Tulliportinkatu 1. Educa houses the Department of Social Sciences. There is also a café in the building.
Electronic exam An exam that can be taken by the student any time they want, using an electronic exam system. See: Electronic exams: facilities and practices
Epsilon ry is the subject association for students of mathematics, physics and computer sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Epsilon website, epsilon@uef.fi, Facebook (Epsilon ry) and Instagram (Epsilon ry).
Essay A short piece of writing in which a specific topic is discussed from various perspectives based on source literature. Writing an essay can serve as an alternative way of completing a course.
Exam is short for examination.
Examination is a formal test that you take to show your knowledge or ability in a particular subject, or to obtain a qualification.
Examination of the dissertation is a public event in which the person pursuing the doctoral degree publicly defends his/her dissertation.
F
Faculty is the university’s administrative unit led by a dean; inside a faculty there are departments, schools and academic subjects. Faculty Council is the highest decision-making organ in the faculty’s administration. The Faculty Council also has student members. Faculty is also used when referring to academic staff members i.e. professors and senior lecturers. We have four faculties: the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science and Forestry, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies.
Fides Ostiensis ry is the western theology students’ student organisation in UEF. More info: Fides Ostiensis website, Facebook (fidesostiensis) and Instagram (fidesostiensis).
Flexible study right studies see JOO – flexible study right studies
Flipped learning means changing the teaching so that subjects are studied independently before they are discussed in a lesson, and during the lesson new issues learned are being analysed and put into practice.
Forms is a query tool in Office 365.
Freshman or fuksi is a first-year university student learning the ropes of university life and the student community.
FSHS (YTHS) is short for Finnish Student Health Service, a nonprofit responsible for providing healthcare to university students. Services by FSHS cover everything from basic healthcare to specialised medicine and dental care. See more.
G
General examination/exam is for taking an exam on predefined literature.
Godis ry is the subject association for students of Swedish. More info: Godisry website, godis.ry@gmail.com, Facebook (Godis ry) and Instagram (Godis ry).
Gradu see Pro gradu
H
Heimo is the name of the Office 365 Intranet for staff members.
HOPS is a personal study plan that is a feasible plan on the completion of the target degree. It typically lists the studies to be included in the degree and a preliminary timetable. Students prepare a HOPS plan in their first year of study and update it as their studies progress.
Hyeena ry is the subject association for students of environmental sciences and applied physics at the University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Campus. More info: www.hyeena.net, Facebook (Hyeena ry).
I
Infospot is the hub for the latest news on campus. At Joensuu Campus, it is located at the lobby of Carelia and at Kuopio Campus, in the lobby of Snellmania. At Infospotti, you can read the latest news from the university on an info screen, read brochures published by the university, and more.
Intermediate studies are a study module of roughly 35 ECTS credits, to be started after completing basic studies. Intermediate studies were formerly known as cum laude studies.
Iskra ry is the subject association for students of Russian at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Iskra website, iskra.uef@gmail.com, Facebook (Iskra ry).
ISYY The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
J
Joensuun Metsäoppilaat ry is the subject association for students of forestry at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: JMYO website, metsaylioppilaat@lists.uef.fi, Facebook (JMYOry) and Instagram (joensuunmetsaylioppilaat).
JOO studies, see: JOO – flexible study right studies
Joraus ry is the subject association for students of subject teachers’ studies at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Campus. More info: Jorausry website, joraus.maili@gmail.com, Facebook (Joraus) and Instagram (jorausry).
Judica ry is the association for law students. It is the subject association for Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws students at Joensuu Campus. More info: Judica website, puheenjohtaja@judica.fi, Facebook (judicary) and Instagram (judicary).
K
Kamu is a digital working environment for students, i.e. where you are right now. See: What is Kamu?
Karonkka a traditional post-doctoral party to honour the opponent after the defence of a dissertation.
Kassos ry is the subject association for students in expert training in educational science and adult educational science at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Campus. More info: Kassos website, kassosry.uef@gmail.com, Facebook (kassosry) and Instagram (kassosry).
Kotex ry is the subject association for students of craft and home economics teacher studies at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu campus. More info: Kotex www-sivut, kotexry.uef@gmail.com, Facebook (kotexry) ja Instagram (kotexry).
Kulti ry is the subject association for students of biomedicine. More info: kultiry.fi, Facebook (Kulti ry).
KuoLO ry is the subject association for medical students at Kuopio Campus. More info: www.kuolo.fi, pj@kuolo.fi, Facebook (Kuopion lääketieteen opiskelijat ry).
L
Language Centre is responsible for degree studies in language and communications at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu and Kuopio campuses. In addition to mandatory degree studies, the Language Centre offers elective courses open to undergraduate, postgraduate students and international students as well as university staff and external customers.
Laudatur may refer to advanced studies or the highest grade given for a thesis.
Lecture An oral presentation given for the purpose of teaching.
Lecturer is a common title for teachers at the university. Lecturers are usually required to hold at least a master’s degree.
Legio Ostiensis ry or Legio is the subject association for students of specialist legal studies in the Law School of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: More info: Legio www-sivut, hallitus.legio@uef.fi, Facebook (legioostiensis) and Instagram (legioostiensis).
Licentiate A postgraduate degree for which studying can be started after completing an upper university degree.
Lingtwisti ry is the cross-disciplinary subject association for students of foreign languages, translation studies and general linguistics at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: lingtwisti@gmail.com, Facebook (lingtwisti) ja Instagram (lingwisti)..
Literature review is a summary of another text without adding anything to it.
Loikka is the subject association for students of environmental policy and environmental law. More info: uef.fi/loikka, loikkary@gmail.com, Facebook (Loikka ry).
Lounge is located on the Joensuu Campus on the 1st floor of the Aurora building, next to restaurant Aura. The space is reserved for independent study and group work.
Lower university degree The title of a lower university degree is a bachelor’s degree in the field of study in question. A bachelor’s degree is mandatory for students who have started their studies in autumn 2005 or later and for students transferring to the new degree system.
Lukari was an electronic timetable and it has been replaced by Lukkarikone that is found in Peppi.
M
Major subject Studying at the university is based on a major subject or study programme. Major subject means the academic subject in which the student has been granted the right to pursue a degree. Major subject studies comprise basic, intermediate and advanced studies in which the focus is on the content, key concepts, theories and research methods of the discipline or academic subject.
Master’s degree is started after completing the bachelor’s degree. In the study programmes for medicine and dentistry student complete a licentiate degree.
Master’s degree programme A study programme that only includes advanced studies. A lower university degree or other comparable studies must be completed before starting a master’s degree programme.
Master’s thesis (pro gradu) is an academic paper written at the end stage of advanced studies with the aim of enhancing student academic research skills.
Maturity test is taken by writing on the same subject as the bachelor’s or master’s thesis after it is complete. The maturity test is for demonstrating that the student is familiar with the discipline of the thesis, as well as the student’s proficiency in their native language.
Meal subsidy is part of the student benefits, see: Campus restaurants and lunch menus
Melania is a building at Kuopio Campus on Yliopistonranta.
Metria is a building at Joensuu Campus at the address Yliopistokatu 7. Metria is currently under renovation, with a planned completion date in 2017.
Mikrovillus is the tight-knit and active subject association for students of biology at Joensuu Campus. More info: Mikrovillus website, mikrovillus.ry@gmail.com, Facebook (mikrovillus) and Instagram (mikrovillus).
Minor subject In addition to major subject studies, the degree structure often includes minor subjects. The nature, scope and amount of minor subjects varies between degrees; you need to check the study guide for potential restrictions.
Moodle is a browser-based online learning and work environment. Many courses at the university use Moodle to share study materials and return assignments, among other functions. See more.
N
Natura is one of the buildings at Joensuu Campus. Natura is located at the address Yliopistokatu 7. Natura houses the Departments of Biology and Physics and a student cafeteria, among others.
Nefa-Joensuu is the subject association for students of cultural studies. More info: Nefajoensuu website, nefajoensuu@uef.fi, Facebook (NefaJoensuu) and Instagram (NefaJoensuu).
O
Office 365, O365 is the Microsoft cloud service used at the university.
Oidipus ry is the subject association for students of psychology at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Oidipus website, oidipusry@gmail.com, Facebook (oidipusry) and Instagram (oidipusry).
OneDrive is a personal file storage space in Office 365.
OneNote is a notebook app by Microsoft. It is also included in Office 365.
Oodi old student register, see WebOodi
Open University offers university studies for everyone. Open University does not offer the opportunity to complete a degree, but it can serve as a path to studying at the university. At the University of Eastern Finland, open university studies are provided by Aducate.
Opossumi ry is the subject association for students of career counselling studies at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Opossumi website, opossumiry@gmail.com, Facebook (Opossumi ry) and Instagram (opossumiry).
Oppari A space that students can use for studying independently or in a group, and where IT support is also available. See Oppari – services for students
Opponent is a person who takes an opposite position in a debate. An opponent for a dissertation, for example.
Optimi ry is the subject association for business students at Joensuu Campus. More info: Optimi website, pj@optimiry.fi, Facebook (optimiry) and Instagram (optimiry).
P
Peer tutors are senior students of the same discipline. Peer tutors are older students from the same discipline who help freshmen with the practical side of starting out studies. Tutors provide practical orientation to freshmen, introduce them to the university’s services and help them get settled into the university environment and the city. They are also an excellent source for tips on studying and other aspects of student life. See more.
Personal study plan (PSP) The student’s plan outlining which studies to take, how, when and in what order. A person designated by the academic subject can provide assistance in drawing up the personal study plan; they can be the personal study plan supervisor or the tutor for the academic subject.
Pistis ry is the subject association for students of Orthodox theology. More info: Pistisry websites, pistisry@gmail.com, Facebook (pistisry).
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words, images or other work without their permission or appropriate reference to the source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional, but it is always against good scientific practice and prohibited in university studies.
Plagiarism detection system Turnitin is used to check the authenticity of all theses and other written works. The system identifies sections of the text that have been used in other works. The system is used as a teaching and guidance tool for academic writing. It is also used to check the authenticity of each thesis. See more.
Poikkeus ry is the subject association for students of special education at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Poikkeus website, poikkeusry@gmail.com, Facebook (poikkeusry) and Instagram (poikkeusry).
Popsi ry is the subject association for students of class teacher studies at Joensuu Campus. More info at: Popsi website, popsiry@gmail.com, Facebook (popsijns) and Instagram (popsiry).
Postgraduate studies Studies taken after completing a Master’s degree.
Praxis ry is the subject association for students of public policy, sociology and philosophy at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Campus. More info: Praxisry website, praxisry@uef.fi, Facebook (praxisry) and Instagram (praxisry).
Preemio ry is the subject association for business students at the University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Campus. More info: www.preemio.org, hallitus@preemio.org, Facebook (Preemio ry).
Primo is the university library’s search tool for printed and electronic works. It also allows you to renew loans, make reservations and save your favourites.
Printing balance is the student’s remaining amount of pages available for print. If necessary, you can top up your printing balance at Oppari.
Professor is a public servant with a doctoral degree, who conducts academic research, steers research carried out in their academic subject, and teaches in their own field of expertise. Professors usually act as the head of the academic subject.
Proseminar is a intermediate studies course for familiarising students with academic research. The proseminar course includes writing a short study.
Pruju is a Finnish slang word for lecture materials used in a course.
R
Representative council is the highest decision-making body of the Student Union. The representatives are elected every two years. All student union members have the right to vote in the council election.
Retikka is the subject association for students of clinical nutrition. More info: www.retikkary.fi, retikka-hallitus@ists.uef.fi, Facebook (Retikka ry).
RPL Recognition and accreditation of prior learning, see Recognition of prior learning
S
Scientific paper All teaching at the university is based on scientific research. Up-to-date research data is obtained from Finnish and international scientific papers, among other sources. The university’s teaching and research staff are also involved in authoring scientific papers.
Serveri is the subject association for students of computer science at the University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Campus. More info: www.serveriry.fi, Facebook (Serveri ry).
Sharepoint is a page and workspace in Office 365 that can be added various tools such as document banks.
Skripti is the student organisation of the students of computing at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Skripti website, hallitus@skripti.org, Facebook (skriptiry) and Instagram (skriptiry).
Snellmania is a building on Kuopio Campus. Snellmania is situated in Yliopistonranta next to Savilahti. Snellmania has a student cafeteria, and the university library can also be found in the building.
Socius ry is the subject association for students of social sciences at the University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Campus. More info: sociusry.com, hallitus@sociusry.com, Facebook (Socius ry).
Special arrangements A student may have an injury or disability due to which they need special arrangements to guarantee their smooth completion of studies. See: Accessibility in studies – aids and facilities
Student association, see: Student Union ISYY and Student Associations
Student card is one of the most important possessions of any university student. Your student card is your proof of identity and your ticket to student health services at FSHS, reduced price lunches and many more benefits.
Student registered as absent cannot attend or complete courses and is not entitled to student benefits or financial aid. See Registration as being present or absent.
Student registered as present is a degree student who has paid the student union membership fee. A student who has registered as present can attend and complete courses and is entitled to student benefits and financial aid.
Student union membership fee is mandatory for all undergraduate students who have registered as present at the university. The membership fee is determined annually by the Student Union. See: Student Union membership fees
Study community is a community formed for students of a certain discipline to bring relevant information available in one place. Study communities are located in the O365 environment and require login. They are also listed in Kamu.
Study guide is a faculty-specific or discipline-specific publication that contains the degree structures and information on the courses.
Study module is made up of several courses of a similar level that form a larger unit, such as the basic studies for a discipline. Study modules are either basic studies, intermediate studies or advanced studies. Academic subjects in which the student has earned at least 15 ECTS credits (or 20 ECTS in some units) are also recorded in the degree certificate, even if the studies do not make up a full study module.
Study programme Studying at the university is based on a major subject or study programme. Study programme is a multidisciplinary study module for which scientific (and also very often professional) objectives have been set. A study programme does not necessarily comprise major and minor subjects.
Study week is an outdated way to define the scope of a course, in which one week amounted to 40 hours of work. The study week has been replaced by ECTS credits.
Subject combinations The degree studied comprises usually a major subject and one or more minor subjects, which together form the subject combination for the degree.
Sulo ry is the subject association for students of early childhood education studies at Joensuu Campus. More info: Sulo website, sulory@live.fi, Facebook (Sulo-ry) and Instagram (sulory).
Summer School is a two-week course (5 ECTS) held in August at both Joensuu and Kuopio campuses.
Syllabus is a programme confirmed annually by each faculty that lists the courses and teaching to be organised in each academic subject during the academic year. Syllabuses are published in the study guides in Peppi.
Sway is a service in Office 365 used to create, publish and share presentations.
Sykettä is a sport service for students and staff at the University of Eastern Finland and the Karelia and Savonia universities of applied sciences offering affordable and varied sport services. Users of the service can try out a wide variety of different forms of exercise in the campus cities, from zumba to futsal.
T
Teacher qualifications determine the degree and studies required to work as a teacher.
Teams is a teamwork tool in Office 365 that connects services in Office 365 to be available to all team members.
Technopolis is a building on Kuopio Campus. Technopolis houses the Business School.
Terho ry is the interest group and cooperation association for students of nursing science, health economics, public health, health and human services management sciences, health and human services informatics, sports medicine, and ergonomics at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Facebook (TERHO ry).
Thesis Writing a thesis is a requirement for all university degrees. The different thesis types are bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis, licentiate thesis, and doctoral dissertation.
Tiedepuisto building is located at Joensuu Campus at the address Länsikatu 15. Tiedepuisto houses the School of Computing and the student cafeteria Louhi.
Tombolo ry is the subject association for students of geography, human geography, environmental policy and environmental law at the University of Eastern Finland. The association is active at Joensuu Campus. More info: Tombolo website, tombolo.ry@guef.fi, Facebook (tombolory) and Instagram (tombolory).
Turnitin is the plagiarism detection system used by the university. See more.
Tutor is a small-group supervisor. Tutors are fellow students who help the first-year students to get started in their studies.
Tuudo is a mobile app to support studies.
Transcript of records contains all the courses completed by the student, the grades given and the ECTS credits accumulated. See Transcript of academic records and study certificate
Transfer application procedure allows students to switch major subjects or study programmes. See more on the topic on the page Apply as a student.
Two-tiered degree means a degree that includes both a lower (bachelor’s) and upper (master’s) university degree.
Täky ry (“Bait”) is the subject association for students of Finnish and literature at the University of Eastern Finland. More info: Täky website, taky@taky.fi, Facebook (takyry) and Instagram (takyry).
U
Upper university degree See Master’s degree
V
Varnitsa is the subject association for students of history at the University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Campus. More info: Varnitsa wensitet, varnitsary@gmail.com, Facebook (varnitsary) and Instagram (varnitsary).
W
WebOodi was the online service of the student register and it has been replaced by Peppi.
Y
Yammer is the university’s main internal communication channel for students and staff. Yammer has a list of ready groups that can be joined. A particularly useful group to join is the your study community group.
YTHS see FSHS