ACADEMIC CALENDAR
2019-2020
4. EXPLANATION OF TERMS

 

The Marine Institute’s academic year runs from the first day of September to the last day of August of each year.

 

  • A Term or Semester means a period of approximately fifteen weeks during which regular classes are held and, for diploma of technology, technician diploma and advanced diploma programs,in which there are at least 65 teaching days. Normally, the fall semester begins in September, the winter semester in January and the summer semester in May.
  • Technical Session is a period of study which is normally six weeks in duration, but may be anywhere from three to eight weeks in duration, depending on the program of study. The Technical Session normally follows the Winter semester or may precede the summer session for programs which normally have one or more scheduled summer sessions. Technical session normally begins in April of each year.
  • A course is a unit of work in a particular subject which normally carries credit towards the fulfillment of the requirements for a particular certificate or diploma and for which achievement of the established learning objectives are formally measured and recorded.
  • A credit is awarded for each course completed in which the student obtains at least the minimum passing grade.
  • A prerequisite course is a course which must be successfully completed prior to registration in the course for which it is required. A co-requisite course is a course which may be taken concurrently with the course for which it is required.
  • Program refers to an academic program forming a coherent unit of study including a series of courses, the completion of which, if other requirements are met, qualifies the candidate to receive the appropriate award.
  • Award refers to the type of certificate or diploma to be conferred upon candidates completing a Marine Institute Program who are approved by the Marine Institute Academic Council to receive this award. Awards are issued upon the successful completion of a program of study which has been approved by the Marine Institute Senate (August, 1994 or earlier) or Academic Council (September, 1995 or later). At the Institute, these include Advanced Diplomas, Diplomas of Technology, Technician Diplomas, Certificates, Certificates of Achievement and Certificates of Participation, Advanced Diplomas, Technology Diplomas, Technician Diplomas and Certificates are conferred once a year only regardless of when program requirements are completed. This occurs during the Institute’s annual graduation ceremony held in June.
  • Advanced Diploma programs provide in-depth training in a specific technical area to graduates of at least a first degree or three-year technology diploma program. These are normally one academic year in length, except that work terms or job placement requirements may extend programs beyond this time. Program duration in years is shown on the Diploma.
  • Post Graduate Certificate program is designed to provide students with specialized knowledge that is less intensive than an advanced Diploma or Master’s Degree. A certificate program represents a focused collection of courses that when completed affords the student a record of academic accomplishment in a given discipline.
  • Diploma of Technology programs are designed to prepare graduates for employment as technologists. These programs are normally three academic years in length. However, some programs may extend beyond this time as a result of work term or job experience requirements.
  • Technician Diploma programs are designed to prepare graduates for employment as technicians. These programs are normally two years in length.
  • Technical Certificate programs provide training in specific technical areas. Programs may be modular, full or part-time and of variable duration, but not less than one academic semester or its equivalent.
  • Certificates of Achievement are issued upon successful completion of an academic program of less than one academic semester, or its equivalent, in length, or upon completion of an academic course for which learning is measured and evaluated.
  • Certificates of Participation are issued upon completion of a non-formalized course or workshop or program, lasting from a few hours to several days for which specific learning or performance is not measured or evaluated.