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UC San Diego Lingo

There’s a lot to discover about UCSD, and it takes time to get familiar with how the campus operates. Don’t let unfamiliar terms and acronyms overwhelm you! This section will help clarify some of the common UCSD terms and abbreviations.

Academic

Registering for Courses

WebReg: UCSD’s online course registration system used to enroll in classes, check schedules, view waitlists, and make changes.

Enrollment: The process of registering for courses each quarter during your assigned appointment times.

Appointment Times: Assigned enrollment windows (First Pass & Second Pass). Register as early as possible for best availability.

The Enrollment Authorization System (EASy) is used for:

  • Pre-authorization when prerequisites are not met
  • Late adds, drops, unit changes, or grading option changes (after Week 2)

Requests take up to 5 business days to process and may be approved or rejected with follow-up instructions.

Courses & Learning

Canvas: UCSD’s learning management system where you access syllabi, assignments, grades, and course materials.

Syllabus: Outlines course expectations, grading policies, deadlines, and office hours — read carefully!

Midterms & Finals: Exams held throughout the quarter, with finals occurring during Finals Week.

Office Hours: Dedicated time to meet professors or TAs for help, clarification, or academic guidance.

Instructors & Class Types

  • Professor: Tenure-track faculty who teach and conduct research.
  • Lecturer: Faculty focused primarily on teaching.
  • TA (Teaching Assistant): Graduate students who lead discussions, grade, and hold office hours.
  • IA (Instructional Assistant): Undergraduate assistants supporting course instruction.

Class Formats

  • Lecture: Main course session led by the professor
  • Discussion: Smaller, interactive sessions led by TAs
  • Lab: Hands-on learning component, common in STEM courses

Academics & Degree Structure

Major: Your primary field of study. Double majors may be possible — consult an advisor.

Minor: Optional secondary area of study declared through the department.

Electives: Courses outside major and GE requirements.

Units: Most UCSD courses are 4 units, averaging ~12 hours/week.

Requirements

  • GE Requirements: College-specific general education courses
  • Lower-Division: Courses numbered 1–99
  • Upper-Division: Courses numbered 100–199
  • Prerequisites: Required prior coursework
  • P/NP: Pass/No Pass grading option (limits apply)
  • IGETC: Transfer GE pathway for CA community colleges

Academic Calendar

UCSD operates on a quarter system (Fall, Winter, Spring). Summer Sessions are optional and can help students get ahead. Students can access the school academic calendar 

Financial Aid

Financial Basics

Academic Year: Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters (36 units total).

Cost of Attendance (COA): Estimated yearly cost including tuition, housing, food, books, and transportation.

Direct Costs: Tuition, fees, on-campus housing.

Indirect Costs: Books, food, transportation, off-campus housing.

Types of Financial Aid

  • Grants: Gift aid that does not require repayment.
  • Scholarships: Merit- or need-based gift aid.
  • Work-Study: Paid employment to help cover expenses.
  • Need-Based Aid: Determined by FAFSA financial data.

Gift Aid does not need to be repaid.

Self-Help Aid includes loans and work-study.

Loans & Repayment

Borrower: Person responsible for repaying a loan.

Interest: Fee charged for borrowing money.

Grace Period: Time after graduation before repayment begins.

Default: Failure to repay loans, affecting credit and aid eligibility.

Forbearance: Temporary pause in payments (interest still accrues).

FAFSA & Getting Help

FAFSA: Required application for federal and many state aid programs.

FSA ID: Your electronic FAFSA signature.

SAP: Satisfactory Academic Progress required to keep aid.

Contact Financial Aid

Phone: (858) 534-4480

In-Person: Student Services Center, 3rd floor north

Online: UC San Diego Services & Support Portal

Campus Life

Campus Tools

UCSD App: Access campus updates, shuttle tracking, library busyness, and resources.

Price Center (PC): Central campus hub with food, study spaces, org offices, theater, bookstore, and services.

UCSD REC App: Reserve gym time, view fitness classes, and access recreation facilities.

Student Types

  • Undergraduate: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS).
  • Graduate Student: Students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees.
  • Transfer Student: Students who transferred from another institution.
  • Commuter Student: Students who live off-campus and travel to UCSD.

Class Level is determined by completed units (freshman–senior).

Dining & Housing

Dining Halls: On-campus meal locations tied to meal plans.

Dining Dollars: Preloaded funds from meal plans, used in dining halls and markets (expire annually)

Triton Cash: Reloadable campus debit accepted on and off campus, used in Price Center shops (does not expire)

Triton2Go: Mobile ordering app for campus dining.

RA (Resident Assistant): Student leaders who support residential communities.

Health, Wellness & Transportation

CAPS: Free, confidential mental health services (counseling, groups, crisis support).

UCSD Health Center: Medical care, urgent care, immunizations, and wellness services.

Pronto Card: Free access to MTS buses and trolley with student activation.

Study Abroad: Academic programs allowing students to study internationally for credit.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.