* Semester course: This is probably the most common term, especially in North America. A semester typically represents half an academic year.
* Quarter course: If the academic year is divided into four quarters, a half-year course would be equivalent to two quarters.
* Term course: This is a more general term that can refer to a course lasting any defined period, including half a year.
* Half-year course: This is a straightforward and widely understood description.
The best way to know what a particular institution calls a half-year course is to check its academic calendar or course catalog.