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Campus Store Glossary

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

A

Access Code
This is a password that you use to log onto course content online (such as assignments, labs, practice exam questions, and so on). Access Codes will be listed as part of your online course listing and can be purchased both online and in store. Frequently asked question about Course Materials.

Adoption
Textbook adoption simply means your Professor has ordered or "adopted" a textbook for a course. Keep in mind that it is not the Campus Store that determines what textbooks are used for each course but the Professor teaching that semester.

Aplia
An online learning tool which includes access to a digital copy of the textbook; a subscription can often be purchased packaged with a hardcopy of the new textbook, or as a standalone product. www.aplia.com

B

Sellback
Textbook Sellback is one of the ways the Campus Store is trying to encourage recycling while reducing the expense to students. By selling their textbooks back to the Campus Store, students are able to save money for next year's textbooks and contribute to the used textbooks available for purchase.

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C

CCW / Custom Courseware
Custom Courseware is an electronic storage and printing service that assists Professors in putting together “coursepacks.” A coursepack is a compilation of scanned material from a variety of sources. Custom Courseware is non-returnable. Frequently asked questions regarding course materials.

Charge Accounts for Students
All students enrolled at McMaster are eligible for a $1500 line of credit using their student ID as a credit card. All registered students, who have accepted the Registrar's payment terms and are in good financial standing, are able to automatically access this student benefit.

Course Code
Course codes can be interpreted as follows: the first number indicates the Level of the course; the letter(s) in the middle identifies the specific courses within the Level; and the final digit(s) defines the number of units of credit associated with the course.

Course Materials Listing
The Campus Store provides an online course listing. Students can build a customized booklist. It is important to print out your booklist before coming into the store so we can help you find your books faster.

Cross-Listed Course
A Cross-Listed Course is a course which is listed under two or more subjects.

E

E-book (E-text)
An e-book is an electronic version of a book. Some e-books are only available online, while others are available for download to your computer (i.e. can be put on an e-reader, phone, or computer).

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G

Guaranteed Buyback
Select textbooks will come with a buyback guarantee - At the start of term we will guarantee a buyback price that we will pay for the book at the end of term. All you need to do is to bring the book back to the store before the posted date and we will give you a credit to the card of your choice - student card, debit card, credit card or put the balance on a Campus Store gift card.

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H

Health Sciences Campus Store
Our Health Science store (previously located in HSC 1G1) was consolidated with our Main Campus Store in spring 2022 and is now permanently CLOSED. One-stop shopping is available through the Main Campus Store, located in Gilmour Hall B101, featuring all of the materials needed for Health Science courses as well as Health Science crested clothing and gear. 

Hole in the Wall
Located in the hallway outside the Main Store, the “Hole in the Wall” is where our textbook Sellback happens. The Sellback window is open during exams and at the start of term. Please review the hours of operation prior to visiting. You can also confirm if we're buying back your book using our online quote tool.

I

i>clicker / Clicker
These classroom tools look and work like television remote controls, and are used to respond to questions posed by professors in high enrolment classes. Frequently ask questions about course materials.

Example of an ISBN

ISBN
An ISBN is a 10 or 13-digit number that identifies a particular title and edition of a book. You can find the ISBN on the back cover and is the best way to identify your textbook. Searching for textbooks by ISBN ensures that you buy the correct edition and copy.

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M

MacMicro
MacMicro is the pet name of our Technology department located in the Main Store. MacMicro carries wide variety of computer accessories and educational software. We have knowledgeable, and friendly staff that are available to assist students and faculty with their various computer-related purchases.

Main Store / Main Bookstore / Main Campus Store
Refers to the central location of the Campus Store operations, Glimour Hall B101. The Main Store includes general books, stationery and supplies, clothing and giftware, computer accessories and software. The main administrative offices of the Campus Store are located here.

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O

Optional Text
If a textbook is marked Optional, the Professor believes that the material in the book is supplementary to the lesson plan and will enhance your overall understanding of the course material. It is recommended that you attend your class prior to purchasing optional textbooks. Please check with your instructor and/or teaching assistants to inquire if you should buy any or all of the optional texts listed for your course. Frequently asked questions about course materials.

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P

Print to Order (Raincheck)
When a particular Custom Courseware title sells out, students can still purchase a copy by requesting a "Print to Order" copy at any Campus Store location. All custom published material is printed at McMaster, so rainchecks can be ready for pick-up within 1 to 2 business days. Due to increased seasonal volume, the waiting period in September and January may temporarily increase to 3 business days. Frequently asked questions about course materials.

R

Raincheck (Print to Order)
When a particular Custom Courseware title sells out, students can still purchase a copy by requesting a raincheck or a "Print to Order" copy at any Campus Store location. All custom published material is printed at McMaster, so Print to Order courseware can be ready for pick-up after 1pm within 1 to 2 business days. Due to increased seasonal volume, the waiting period in September and January may temporarily increase to 3 business days. Frequently asked questions about course materials.

Required Text
If a textbook or Custom Courseware is marked as “Required” for a course, it is due to the instructor’s desire that all students should read the material. It will either be discussed in class, or used as the basis for assignments, tests and exams. Frequently asked questions about course materials.

S

Section
Due to enrollment, classroom size, and scheduling, some larger classes are divided into multiple sections and these sections are identified by specific section numbers. You should have your timetable with you when purchasing your textbooks, as some courses are sectionized. History 2J06 C01 and 2J06 C02 may have different texts and only your timetable or class book list will tell you which section you are in.

Special Orders - General Reading books
Our special order program is in place to assist you in locating and ordering those titles we do not regularly stock. We will order most books at no extra cost and have them shipped directly to our store for you to pick-up.

Special Orders - Course Materials
Our course materials special order program is in place to assist you when we've run out of stock during the first 4 weeks of term. We try our best to estimate the number of books required for a course but ocassionally our estimates are off. If we run out of a particular title within the first 4 weeks of class we will special order a copy just for you and a pre-payment will not be required. You will have 72 hours once the book arrives (and we notify you) to pick it up. After 72 hours the book will be reshelved for another customer. Following the first 4 weeks of term, all course material special orders will require a non-refundable pre-payment. When the order touches down we will ship out the goods (shipping charges applicable) or if you opted to pick up in store we will email you a pick-up notification. Pre-paid orders for pick-up will be held for a period of 30 days from the date of initial notification. Items that are unclaimed after 30 days will not be held. If you are unable to pickup your purchase within 30 days of initial notification please inform the Course Materials Information desk and we will extend the hold to a maximum of 60 days.

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T

Titles Bookstore
Titles is what the McMaster Campus Store used to be called. in 2013 when the Bookstore expanded Titles became the Campus Store reflecting changes and expansion of services.

W

WileyPLUS
An online learning tool from publisher John Wiley & Sons which includes access to a digital copy of the textbook; a subscription can often be purchased packaged with a hardcopy of the new textbook, or as a standalone product. www.wileyplus.com

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