Michigan Tech Language and Acronyms

As with every type of organization, Michigan Technological University (also known as “Tech,” “MTU,” and “Michigan Tech”) has a unique language and associated acronyms. The following are some definitions to help you learn Michigan Tech’s unique language.

  • Admin: Administration Building
  • audit: Taking a course without credit or grade
  • by ARR or by arrangement: Student is able to set the time of the class or appointment
  • co-curricular: A physical activity course, such as skiing or swimming
  • co-op: Professional activity supervised by an experienced professional in a job that places a high degree of responsibility on the student
  • co-req or Co-requisite: A course that MUST be taken in combination with the given course
  • CRN: Course Registration Number
  • degree audit: Form to fill out that lists all the classes to complete a given degree
  • DHH: Douglass Houghton Hall, the smallest residence hall
  • diff EQ: Differential equations course
  • EERC (pronounced “erk”or “E-E-R-C”): Electrical Energy Resources Center
  • Gates: The tennis center located near the SDC
  • GPA: Grade Point Average
  • GRE: Graduate Record Examination taken as a senior for acceptance to graduate school
  • HASS (pronounced “hass”): Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences courses that count toward General Education requirements
  • Heights: Daniell Heights Apartments
  • internship: Summer job within engineering or another given field
  • late drop: Dropping a course after the drop date because of extenuating circumstances
  • McNair: Residence hall on the east end of campus
  • ME-EM (pronounced “meem” or “M-E-E-M”): R.L. Smith Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics Building
  • MUB: The Memorial Union Building
  • pass/fail: A grading option for assessing student performance in a course. Taking a course where the grade is not calculated into the GPA and credits may only be counted toward free elective credits in the degree requirements
  • PE or Professional Engineer: Licensed engineer that can offer his/her services to the public
  • pre-req or prerequisite: A course that MUST be taken prior to taking the given course
  • pre-req (C) or concurrent prerequisite: A prerequisite course that MAY be taken during the same semester (concurrently) as the course for which it is a prerequisite
  • SDC: Student Development Complex; athletic and recreational facility for use by all students
  • special topics course: A class format that allows for special title and focus, which may be different from section to section and from semester to semester
  • TBD or To Be Determined: Time offer of a class that will be scheduled around all registered students’
  • Union: Memorial Union Building
  • USG: Undergraduate Student Government
  • Wads: Wadsworth Hall, the largest residence hall
  • Walker: The Walker Arts and Humanities Center