The Bulletin of Yale University is edited, formatted, and typeset according to a set of specifications and usages that together make up what is referred to as "Bulletin style." The purpose of adhering to such a style is to ensure a standard of correctness, clarity, and consistency conducive to effective communication and appropriate to an institution of higher learning.
The editors of the series are responsible for applying Bulletin style to material contributed by schools and programs, and working with coordinators of the academic programs to ensure that the integrity of the content is not compromised in the course of editing and formatting.
We offer here a summary of some of the elements of Bulletin style, both to satisfy the curiosity of readers and contributors, and to demonstrate the purpose and logic behind the changes we customarily make in contributed texts.
As a general guide, Bulletin style follows the latest edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (based on the 3rd edition of Webster's unabridged dictionary) and the editing guidelines of The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition.
Course Descriptions
Elements included in a course description:
Department abbreviation, course number, "a" or "b" designating fall or spring term respectively, summary of content (using lists or full sentences or both), alternate listing of same course in a different department, sometimes an indication of prerequisites or special permission, name of instructor(s).
Not all schools conform to the same sequence or format in the presentation of the foregoing details.
In general, use of the future tense is avoided in course descriptions.
A typical course description:
BIS 645b, Statistical Methods in Human Genetics. Hongyu Zhao, Gene Fisch.
Probability modeling and statistical methodology for the analysis of human family data are presented. Topics include single locus and polygenic inheritance, segregation analysis using the transmission probability model and the mixed model, linkage analysis using lode scores, genetic heterogeneity, path analysis, and disease marker associations. Prerequisites: Genetics; BIS 505a and b, or equivalent; permission of instructor.
Course descriptions often employ abbreviated or telegraphic style:
EMD 508a, Principles of Epidemiology I. Gregory Tignor, Michael Bracken.
An understanding of the research methods used in infectious and chronic disease epidemiology and in microbiology, showing the similarities and differences in their approaches to diseases and other conditions. Emphasis on methods and disease etiology, stressing the implications of research for the formulation of policy and for individual decision making. Also CDE 508a.
Other Text
Bulletin content is presented in a straightforward style aimed at clarity and succinctness. Such material includes requirements for admission and for the awarding of degrees; courses of study; and various regulations and schedules. The best guideline is to follow usage in existing bulletins.
Punctuation
Use of serial commas (that is, comma before "and" or "or" in a series of three or more elements).
- in the first, second, and third years
Abbreviation
Old-style abbreviations for names of states within lists (e.g., Conn.); two-letter postal abbreviations only within a mailing address (e.g., CT).
Hyphenation
Hyphenation for multiple-word modifiers preceding nouns:
- a two-semester course
- the nineteenth-century novel
- joint-degree programs
- steady- and unsteady-state behavior
- spring-term registration
- self-service facility, well-wrought urn
BUT:
- foreign language requirement
- financial aid policies
The hyphen is used in the earlier cases to avoid possible confusion. Where the likelihood of confusion is less, no hyphen is used.
- students are expected to complete two term courses (which has a completely different meaning from "two-term courses").
No hyphen for "-ly" adverbs:
- financially independent spouse
Capitalization
Academic degrees are set in small caps for lists of administration, faculty, and staff; in all-caps (1 point smaller than prevailing type size) in all other places.
Capital letters are used in the following instances:
- the University, the College
- the School (for one of the 12 schools of Yale University)
- formal usage: the Department of Statistics
- a grade of Honors, a grade of High Pass
- the Web, a Web site, the Internet
- Master of Arts degree (BUT: master's degree, with apostrophe)
Lowercase letters are used:
- informal usage: the Statistics department
- the center, the institute, the program, the hospital
- the director of undergraduate studies, the director of graduate studies
- the registrar, the associate registrar
- the dean, the assistant dean, the associate dean (BUT: the Registrar's Office, the Dean's Office)
Note that plural nouns tend to appear uncapitalized:
- the departments of Chemistry and Physics (BUT: the Department of Chemistry)
- Yale University (BUT: Yale and Princeton universities)
Numerals
Numerals rather than words are used for quantities of 100 or more (thirty-two credits, enrollment limited to 100) except in very frequent occurrence within single sentences.
- one and one-half hours
- two and one-half credits
Numerals are used with percent: 10 percent (not usually abbreviated with % sign unless in very frequent occurrence within single sentences).
Other numeric usage:
- the 2000-2001 academic year (four digits in each case)
- from 1990 to 1996, or, in the period 1990-96 (NOT: from 1990-96)
- a 500-level course
- the 1940s, the 1950s
Compound vs. Single Words
As a rule, prefixes and suffixes (unless they are full words) are combined with the main word: noninterventionist, postwar, prewar.
Common words:
course work, fieldwork
e-mail
online
policy making, decision maker
yearlong
Italics
Italics are used for less common foreign-language terms (fin-de-siecle is italicized; ad hoc, in vitro, in situ are not).
