What is Semester: Definition and 256 Discussions

An academic term (or simply term) is a portion of an academic year, the time during which an educational institution holds classes. The schedules adopted vary widely.
In most countries, the academic year begins in late summer or early autumn and ends during the following spring or summer. In Northern Hemisphere countries, this means that the academic year lasts from August, September, or October to May, June, or July. In Southern Hemisphere countries, the academic year aligns with the calendar year, lasting from February or March to November or December. The summer may or may not be part of the term system.

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  1. Y

    Admissions So Should I Pay my Tuition for Next Semester?

    I am having a hard time understanding the $10,000 in free money for student debt. Me and my spouse have no student debt and we were planning on paying upfront for our tuition in cash. But we might as well as take advantage of the free handout. We make less than $250,000 a year. Can we just take...
  2. DanialK231

    Is a nuclear engineering minor worth an extra semester?

    Summary: Since I did not start out in calculus 1 in my first semester of college I have to take an extra semester in my four years to get my bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and Clemson offers a minor in Nuclear engineering which would just add 15 more credit hours to my overall degree...
  3. Wrichik Basu

    Courses Is skipping a semester a terrible idea in academia?

    I am currently in the sixth and final semester of my undergraduate degree in Physics. Some people here are probably aware that my father has been fighting cancer since June 2021. Unfortunately, I lost him yesterday (not to cancer, but to pneumonia). He was admitted in hospital for more than...
  4. C

    Is Spending an Extra Semester in Undergraduate Research Worth It?

    I am at a bit of a fork in the road. I know after I am done with my undergraduate degree, at least at some point, I would like to either go to graduate school or be an independent researcher -- either way, I really want to do research. The way I see it, conducting research could help me on...
  5. M

    Schools Can I recover from this poor performance in my 5th semester?

    I currently attend a very large state school which is one of the best physics schools in the state, and I'd say ~top 50 in the USA, and I am working towards an honors bachelors of science in physics. I am in my 5th semester, which at my university means E/M I, CM I, Math Methods II, as my core...
  6. M

    Final semester project ideas using CMOS VLSI?

    Guys ! I need your help in choosing a better project for my last semester .Can anyone suggest me projects based on CMOS VLSI Technology.?
  7. space-milk

    Courses Taking 5 UD math courses in a single semester - nuts?

    Greetings all, The classes in question: Statistics, Probability Theory, Abstract Algebra II, Discrete Math II, and Combinatorics. Considering the overlap between some of these courses, would it be wise to take them concurrently? If you had to remove one class, which one would it be and why...
  8. bagasme

    Why isn't each half of a sport season called a semester?

    Hi, In education, I often hear about semesters, which are each halves of an academic year (the first one is from July to December and the second one is from January to June). However, I never hear about that term in sport seasons: that is each halves of a sport season are just called halves...
  9. G

    Engineering Acceleration Engineering First Semester

    The function x (t) = 4 (m · s) t − 1 + 10 m describes the position of a mass point. In which direction does the speed point at time t = 1 s? Is the amount of speed constant or not? does the velocity function change its sign for t> 0 at some point? And in which direction does the acceleration...
  10. ScienceGuy42

    Studying Might need to take 5 courses one semester in second year physics/math

    Might need to take 5 courses in one semester. Are these courses too much? I would have to take: -Second year linear algebra -Real analysis -Mathematical modelling (a relatively easy course involving only high school calculus) -Second year calculus -Second year E&M. A plan I thought of...
  11. P

    Admissions Pass/Fail Last Semester and Grad School Opinion

    Hello everyone! So I've been accepted into a Physics Ph.D for Cosmology at UC Davis and I am waiting to hear back from A&M, Minnesota and 3 others where I am currently waitlisted: Hawaii, Ohio State and Illinois. My university, I believe, will offer its students a choice to either get a letter...
  12. kepherax

    Courses Uncertain on which classes to take next semester

    I'm nearing the end of community college, 2 more semesters to go to finish up math and physics major classes. I took differential equations and physics 1 (mechanics) this semester - found ODE easy and intro mechanics challenging; I tend to do well in math classes, but am not the most talented...
  13. F

    Courses Amount of Classes Each Semester

    Hi! I'm unsure of what major to pick as an undergrad (physics vs. quantitative biology vs. mathematics), but I'm not too worried at the moment about the major at the moment - I'll do an evaluation at the end of this semester to determine where my strengths and interests are. What I'm more...
  14. cookiemnstr510510

    Most acidic proton: first semester organic chemistry

    Hello All, I have attached my questions with pictures in attached photos. Look at screen shot 46 first then screen shot 47. I am having trouble ranking acidic protons. In my Organic book it has the order of: 1)Charge 2)Atom Type 3)Hybridization 4)Resonance 5)Induction Things I know: S is able...
  15. TechieDork

    Courses Is this a good idea for a 21-credit semester?

    I'm freshly fininished my 2nd semester of a first year physics undergrad program (A on every class excepts for chemistry because of some health issues that day) And these are courses that I'm taking for my first semester of 2nd year. ***Gened Political Science 3 credits Intro Bio Lecture 3...
  16. R

    Schools Application to Grad School With a BAD Semester

    So here’s the deal. I recently discovered about a semester I “took” nearly 10 years ago. I forgot that I even enrolled for classes because I decided college wasn’t for me at the time (I was just out of high school) and it was my first semester. I wasn’t aware of “officially dropping” your...
  17. Eclair_de_XII

    Courses Need help deciding on one of my classes for my last semester

    These are the classes I have decided so far for the next semester. Every prerequisite listed is a class I have already taken: Statistical Inference Sampling and parameter estimation, tests of hypotheses, correlation, regression, analysis of variance, sequential analysis, rank order statistics...
  18. sams

    Questions Regarding a Semester Project

    I want to include a semester project for an undergraduate course for this semester. As a new lecturer, I was wondering about several aspects of this project and I would like to gain a deep insight of the following: 1. What subjects should I choose? Should they be related to the topics that are...
  19. A

    Physics Should I graduate one semester early?

    TL;DR: Not yet feel ready to graduate so decided to take a one-year internship in the middle of final undergrad year to get things straight. Adviser think it's stupid to come back for one semester after the internship and think I should just get graduate requirement ready before I go. I don't...
  20. G

    Schools Is this too many classes for one college semester

    Fashion Art Techniques I The Science of Light and Color Introduction to the Fashion Industry History of the United States I Introductory Algebra GLBTQ Literature children's literature Foundations of Education Child Psychology and Development
  21. A

    In moving out of a dormitory at the end of the semester, a s

    Homework Statement In moving out of a dormitory at the end of the semester, a student does 2.62 x 10^4 J of work. In the process, his internal energy decreases by 3.96 x 104 J. Determine each of the following quantities (including the algebraic sign): (a)W, (b)U, and (c)Q. Homework Equations...
  22. Eclair_de_XII

    Courses I deciding what class to take this semester

    It's kind of unrelated to the curriculum of these two classes, by the way. Basically, I have a choice to take Microeconomics and Differential Geometry. While I do find the concept of applying my calculus and linear algebra skills to the latter course, I cannot help but feel that I have to take...
  23. A

    Other Questioning future plans & low grades this semester

    Hello Physics Forums members, I've had a somewhat rough semester. My sister had a lot of medical issues pop up and I wasn't able to pay enough attention to my classes as I'd have liked. I'm actually pre-med, and was enrolled in organic chemistry. Flatly, the current best-case scenario for...
  24. Eclair_de_XII

    Courses Is enrolling in a course for next semester wise if the topic....

    of the course is very much related to one of the courses one is taking right now? [Warning: Long post. Skip to the third paragraph for what you need to know.] I ask this partially because I'm beginning to think that it feels like a hassle taking Partial Differential Equations right after...
  25. ertagon2

    MHB Double-Checking Maths Homework for a 100% Semester Grade

    So here is a thing. If I get at least 6/10 questions in this homework I will get 100% in this semester's homework which is equivalent to 20% of the maths module. So could you double check these questions? Also I wouldn't mind some help with q.3 I got a weird answer of 11,8 billion. Workings...
  26. J

    Courses Physics I and II in the same semester

    Hi all, I saw a post recently like this and I'm going through a similar situation, but I was wondering if I could get some insight. I'm currently sophomore at my University - a biological mathematics major. I was planning on majoring in math and physics upon entering college, so the first...
  27. Greg Bernhardt

    Courses 2017 Students: List your Semester 1 courses

    What courses are you taking first semester?
  28. J

    Courses Calc III and Solid State Physics courses in same semester?

    Hi! So I just breezed through a summer Calc II course (took E&M and Modern Physics last semester) and will be approaching Solid State Physics and Calc III this coming semester together. I've taken my school's upper division Linear Algebra course and passed before last semester and continue to do...
  29. D

    Courses Can 18 units be manageable and if so what are some tips

    I'm going to be taking 18 units in the fall. Classes are linear algebra, advanced calculus, statistics, and computer programming (c++). I usually work a lot but this time I've been thinking of talking to work and only working short hours on weekends, maybe 4 hours each for friday, saturday, and...
  30. fissifizz

    Studying Advice on reading an entire physics textbook in one semester

    Hey everyone. I'm a senior in high school who is taking AP Physics C, and I love physics. I've already known pretty much everything in Physics C (apart from some calculus derivations in E&M) from self-study, and I've studied astronomy and astrophysics a lot throughout high school as well. I've...
  31. Z

    Courses I feel like we don't learn enough in our classes

    I'm not sure if this is the right section but.. During the semester it feels like we are learning a ton of stuff at a crazy pace, but then when the semester is over I always look back and am like "that's it? I've learned everything about X class that I will need to know for all of my future...
  32. I

    Courses Is Taking Three Math Courses in One Semester a Good Idea for a Math Major?

    Hi all, I was thinking what I should take in the spring as a math major I was thinking of taking Abstract Algebra, Probability (calculus based), and geometry, as well as General physics 1, could anyone give me some advice is this a good idea or a bad idea?
  33. E

    Courses 5 Math Classes in a Semester - Too Much?

    This upcoming fall semester, I am planning to take Calculus 2, which at my school is the prerequisite for 5 other math classes I need to take. I would like to take all 5 of them the following spring semester, but I don't know much about the courses (for example, how difficult they may be) and...
  34. Dishsoap

    Schools Leaving graduate school for a semester?

    Hello everyone, I have a couple of questions. I'm an incoming graduate student starting in the fall, and working with a group at my future graduate school this summer. I do not want the pity of anyone in my department (especially as a new student) so I'm aware that the answers I get here may be...
  35. J

    Teach Astronomy in First semester or Second?

    OKay, so this may be a weird place to post this question, but I value the opinion of the members here whether they are current or former students or current or former teachers. I'm setting up an astronomy class for the high school I work at, but unfortunately the way the schedule works is that...
  36. B

    Course selection for next semester

    I got to choose 2 lessons from these 3 for optional courses. I'm studying mechanical engineering. Which ones are the most important in your opinion? Available options are: 1) Thermodynamics II 2) Material Science II 3) Technical drawing II with CAD software ( teaches Solidworks previous year...
  37. N

    Penn State PHD -- What am I expected to know before Fall semester?

    My question is directed at anyone who currently is enrolled or was enrolled in Penn States PHD program as well as any faculty. Any other advise though would of course be appreciated. I was wondering what am I expected to be proficient in or to know prior to me starting in the fall semester...
  38. Sirsh

    Studying Abroad - Semester Exchange

    Hi, I'd like to know if anyone has any information on how someone is able to attend a university on exchange that is not partnered with their home university? I am from Australia and my university has ties with many universities, however, I want to potentially go on exchange in Germany to study...
  39. divergence

    Advice for a student who did poorly in their first semester?

    I'm not going to lie, I didn't perform very well this first semester. Used to being the cocky, "smartest kid in his physics class" in high school, I made a few mistakes that I regret pretty badly. Mistake #1: I insisted that I could handle the workload and I jumped straight from Algebra 2...
  40. D

    Bad Gpa- Worked really hard this semester

    Hi guys, I feel like a failure and I am miserable. I got two/five grades back. For physics lab, I got a C- and for thermodynamics I got a C. I worked really hard this semester, but I have failed. I put everything aside for studies, yet I am in misery. My aim is to get into graduate school, the...
  41. G

    Getting ahead of the semester in physics.

    Hello all, I am a second semester mechanical engineering student looking to get a jump start on the semester. I'm taking General Physics one and I'm a little concerned about it. I have almost no experience with Physics, except for an introductory engineering class last semester where we touched...
  42. V

    Is it a good or bad idea to do research during the semester?

    Taking a break from studying for finals, so I thought I'd ask something I've been wondering. I'm going to start my second semester of second year in January and I was hoping to get some research experience. I'm applying to REUs for the summer but until then I wanted to do research (or be a lab...
  43. J

    Surviving 16 Credit Semester: Is It Doable?

    Hello im a sophomore computer engineering major going into my second semester and I will be taking the following courses : electric circuits 2 introduction to programming using C++ introductory physics 2 calculus 3 linear algebra physics lab all in all that's 16 credits but the courses...
  44. G

    Is Taking a Semester Off from Math a Good Idea for Prospective Math Majors?

    Not sure if this the right place to to start a thread. I'm in community college I decided to take a semester off from math. How will colleges look at this? I'm planning on taking precalculus spring and calculus in the summer. I'm a prospective meteorology student. My goal is to take calculus 1...
  45. jaskamiin

    Programs Is one semester of quantum physics enough for a math major?

    As the title says, I am a mathematics major, but I'm taking extra physics and engineering courses. I'm interested in mathematical physics work in the future. I'm taking the first of two semesters of quantum physics offered by my school right now. I was planning to take the next course in the...
  46. Lagraaaange

    Schedule for Senior Fall semester? Advice?

    Taking: 1.Thermal Physics 2. Modern Physics 3. Advanced Lab now the big question 4. Computational Physics/PDEs/or independent studies (research)?
  47. PhotonSSBM

    Schools 18 Credits a semester, or 1 more year+grad school courses

    A question I've had and never gotten answered recently is what looks better on a transcript: 18-20 credits in one semester and quickly finish my undergrad, or take a lengthy stay at around 12-14 credits per semester with the extra year being used for grad school courses? If I take the extra...
  48. F

    Is this semester coursework too much?

    I recently got into graduate school for electrical engineering to study solid state electronics. I did my bachelors in Physics and will be graduating this May and start grad school in the Fall 2015. Here is my current cours schedule: Fall 2015 - Intro to Solid State Electronics (3 cred.) -...
  49. X

    Programs Getting my degree a half of semester late

    In order to graduate I might need to take a 4 credit course this summer. The class will be from May to July 2nd. After July 2 I'll get my undergrad degree in physics once I pass the class. If I get into a physics PhD program will they take away my offer for the Fall of 2015 if they find out I'll...
  50. B

    Rebounding after one bad semester

    Hello, I have a predicament. One semester during the summer, my mother made a silly mistake that could have costed my thousands of dollars. Luckily, I handled it, but because of this stress, my grades suffered slightly. I got my first B+ and an A- in two math classes which does not seem too...
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