Academic calendar
Fall Term 2026 runs Sep 1, 2026 – Dec 23, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall Term 2026Relevant now
- Multi-term Courses 2026-2027
- Multi-term Courses 2026-2027
- Winter Term 2027
- Intersession 2027
- Spring Session 2027
- Full-Term Courses Spring/Summer 2027Spring/Summer Full-Term Courses 2027
- Summer Session 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 24 of 24 terms
B
- Bistro
- The Bistro at Mary Keyes, offering higher-end dining options and a popular breakfast.
- Brandon
- Brandon Hall, the largest traditional-style residence on campus.
- Bridges
- Bridges Cafe, the dedicated vegetarian and vegan dining location on campus.
C
- Centro
- The main dining hall located in the Commons Building, serving the North quad residences.
E
- EFRT
- Emergency First Response Team, a student-run volunteer group providing medical emergency response on campus.
K
- Keyes
- Mary E. Keyes Residence, an apartment-style residence typically for upper-year students.
L
- La Piazza
- The food court located inside the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC).
- LP
- Les Prince Hall, a suite-style residence known for having private washrooms.
M
- Mac
- The universal shorthand for McMaster University.
- Marauder
- The official mascot and the collective name for McMaster's athletic teams.
- Matthews
- Matthews Hall, a traditional-style residence often associated with a strong community feel.
- MES
- McMaster Engineering Society, the faculty society representing all engineering students.
- Mini Mac
- The campus convenience store located in the Commons Building.
- MSS
- McMaster Science Society, the faculty society representing science students.
- MSU
- McMaster Students Union, the primary representative body for undergraduate students.
P
- PGCLL
- Peter George Centre for Living and Learning, the newest residence building that also houses large lecture halls.
S
- SRA
- Student Representative Assembly, the legislative branch of the MSU.
- SWC
- Student Wellness Centre, the campus hub for medical and counseling services.
T
- The Grind
- A popular student-run cafe located in the basement of the Student Centre.
- The Hammer
- A common nickname for the city of Hamilton.
- The Phoenix
- The campus pub and restaurant located in the Refectory building, popular for social gatherings.
W
- Wally
- Wallingford Hall, a small, historic all-female residence.
- Welcome Week
- The university's official orientation week for first-year students.
- Westdale
- The neighborhood immediately adjacent to campus where many students live and shop.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- ABB
- Arthur Bourns Building, the primary facility for Chemistry and Physics departments.
- Avenue
- Avenue to Learn (A2L), the online learning management system where professors post course content.
- BSB
- Burke Science Building, a major academic building housing science labs and large lecture halls.
- caf_on_bay
- Café on Bay
- centro
- Centro
- CNH
- Chester New Hall, primarily used for Humanities and Social Sciences classes.
- fireball_caf
- Fireball Café
- HSR
- Hamilton Street Railway, the city bus system; students receive a transit pass as part of their fees.
- iahs_caf
- IAHS Café
- KTH
- Kenneth Taylor Hall, a central building for Social Sciences and various administrative offices.
- la_piazza
- La Piazza
- MacID
- The unique username and login credential used for all McMaster digital services.
- MDCL
- Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, a modern building used heavily by Health Sciences.
- Mills
- Mills Memorial Library, the main library for Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Mosaic
- The administrative portal used for course registration, checking grades, and paying tuition.
- MUSC
- McMaster University Student Centre, the central hub for student services and clubs.
- Presto
- The electronic tap-card used for transit on the HSR and GO Transit systems.
- refuelling_station
- Refuelling Station
- The Underground
- The MSU-run print and design shop located in the basement of MUSC.
- Thode
- H.G. Thode Library of Science and Engineering, the preferred study spot for STEM students.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Term 2026 runs Sep 1, 2026 – Dec 23, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 24 approved campus terms and 20 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.