Just a little update on why you shouldn’t go to a university that changes from quarters to semesters in the middle of an academic year. After completing my petition to graduate, I received a degree audit. For those of you that aren’t familiar with the procedure, the university examines the requirements of your degree along with the coursework you’ve completed and makes a determination of what you need. The gist of the letter I received is shown below:

You need:

1.) Sub or waiver for MATH 498 (Senior Research 3) in progress

2.) Sub or waiver for MATH 411 (Modern Algebra 2) course waived

3.) Sub or waiver for MATH 335 (Intermediate Analysis) irrelevant

4.) Sub or waiver for MATH 460 (Real Analysis) irrelevant

5.) Complete 8.04 credit hours in one strand. completed

6.) Successfully complete Spring semester. in progress

I quickly began to realise that something was awry. I double checked my course catalogue to be sure I was reading this correctly. The first apparent problem with this is Math 498 (Senior Research 3) which has been split between SR1 and SR2, an obvious error of semster conversion (we were on quarters originally). Next, I noted the required Math 411 (Modern Algebra 2), sure enough I need this course, but I have a waiver on it. The next obvious flaws are Math 335 and Math 460. This is because there are two decidedly different subject areas in which you can go. The first is a Modern Algebra sequence, finished off with Operations Research (which I’m currently taking). The alternative is the Math Analysis sequence, which concludes with Real Analysis. See the dilemma?

Moving forward, the audit claims I need at least 8 hours in a specific strand. I’m taking the physics strand, for which I have more than doubled my requirement by taking Calculus-Based Physics, Physics Research 1, Particle Physics, and Astronomy. As it would seem, the transition from quarters to semesters wasn’t as smooth as the university had hoped for. At the end of the day, its up to the provost to fix everything. He noted that my math advisor / the math department chairwoman was irritated by the waiver request, but it’s university policy that a class cannot be cancelled if it will force a graduating senior to miss graduation. Hopefully, everything goes well. As it stands now, I would like to pull my hair out. We’ll see what happens. Either way, I’m walking in Spring.