Parts of Term
At the University of Memphis, the Academic Year is divided into three terms or semesters--Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each term consists of several Parts of Term (POT). When registering for a term, you may register for courses in any one or combination of the POTs.
What Are the Differences Between One POT and Another?
The primary differences between POTs have to do with POT lengths (starting and ending dates) and lengths of class periods. It's important to remember that the same course offered in any POT requires the same minimum amount of class time as when it is offered in another POT. Also, the credit is the same. Thus, HMSE 1100 taken in the Summer TN eCampus POT is the equal of HMSE 1100 taken in the Fall Full POT or the Spring 2nd Half POT, and so on.
To understand the POTs better, please refer to the tables below.
Fall/Spring POTs/Descriptions
- Full
Is the longest POT, lasting the entire term. For example, a Spring Full begins in January and ends in late April or early May. - 1st Half
Begins when Full does but ends in the middle of Full (at the Fall or Spring mid-term break). Because 1st Half is half the length of Full, the class periods are longer than Full class periods. - 2nd Half
Is similar to 1st Half. However, 2nd Half begins after Full's mid-term break and ends when Full does. - TN eCampus
Parallels Full, although its starting and ending dates can be slightly different. The only courses offered in this POT are online courses that belong to the TN eCampus program. However, these classes are open to all students: you do not have to be pursuing a TN eCampus online degree in order to register for a class in this POT. - TN eCampus 1st Half
Parallels 1st Half, although its starting and ending dates can be slightly different. The only courses offered in this POT are online courses that belong to the TN eCampus program. However, these classes are open to all students: you do not have to be pursuing a TN eCampus online degree in order to register for a class in this POT. - TN eCampus 2nd Half
Parallels 2nd Half, although its starting and ending dates can be slightly different. The only courses offered in this POT are online courses that belong to the TN eCampus program. However, these classes are open to all students: you do not have to be pursuing a TN eCampus online degree in order to register for a class in this POT.
Spring Only
- Winter Intersession
Part of the Spring term. Winter Intersession is a three-week part of term beginning in late December and ending prior to the beginning of other Spring parts of term, such as 1st Half and Full.
Summer POTs/Descriptions
- Pre Summer (Maymester)
Is the shortest in calendar days but has the longest class periods. You might have to meet 3-4 hours a day, everyday, for one class in the Pre Session. The Pre Session starts after the Spring term has ended but usually ends before the Summer's 1st and Full POTs begin. - Full
Starts 2-3 weeks after the Spring semester and lasts the entire Summer term, ending just a few weeks before the Fall Term begins. Typically the Full POT begins in early June and ends in early August. - 1st Half
Runs concurrently with the first half of Full (June to early July). Because the 1st Half is half the length of Full, class periods are longer than Full class periods, or the class itself meets more frequently. - 2nd Half
Is similar to 1st Half but runs concurrently with the second half of Full (early July to mid-August). - TN eCampus
Parallels Full, although its starting and ending dates can be slightly different. The only courses offered in this POT are online courses that belong to the TN eCampus program. However, these classes are open to all students: you do not have to be pursuing a TN eCampus online degree in order to register for a class in this POT.