International student advisor Megan wrote to our to suggest the following:
We asked our current bloggers, and even they were unsure what a catalog is. Nareg got the closest, suggesting, "Is it a prospectus?" Sort of.
A university catalog (or college catalog) is an official publication that contains all the information a current or prospective student might need about academics and student services at a university.
It usually contains information about academic requirements, grading policies, calendars, tuition rates, and, probably most importantly, it lists all the programs and courses available at a university.
It's basically like the big guide to academic and official student life at a university.
Here's an example of the table of contents for a standard college catalog. This one comes from Emory University:
Departments & Programs
Majors & Minors
Centers, Institutes, and Other Resources
Course Descriptions
For First Year Students
By Requirement (General Education)
Calendar
Academic Regulations
Study Abroad
Awards
Honors Program
Internships
Financial Aid
Need-based
Grants
Emory Advantage
Loans
Employment
Scholarships
Future Student
Atlanta Schools
Barkley Debate
Courtesy Scholar
Dean's Music
Emory Scholars
Goizueta Business
Methodist Ministerial
National Merit
Veterans
Current Student
Tuition & Costs
Admission
Application Forms & Overview
Dates for Admission
Fees for Admission
First-Year Applicants
International Applicants
Re-admission
Statistics
Transfer Admission
College & University Policies
Arts
Athletics
Dining
Fraternities & Sororities
Honor Societies
Housing
Religious Life
Safety
Student Media
Student Organizations
Transportation & Parking
Volunteering & Service Learning
Faculty
Chairs & Directors
Directors of Undergraduate Study
College History
Directions & Map
Our Mission
Our Profile