Mutually Exclusive and Illegal Sequencing
Mutually Exclusive
The original CRF for PHYS 18 and 19 included wording that students who took PHYS 8 or 9 and did not pass, could take PHYS 18 or 19 in the first term those courses were offered and have the grade replace but that the automatic replacement would only apply for the first term offering of PHYS 18 and 19. The intent of the School was for these courses to be what is now referred to as "mutually exclusive".
- Physics 8 is mutually exclusive to Physics 18
- Physics 9 is mutually exclusive to Physics 19
Students who successfully complete PHYS 8 or 9 will not earn any credit, units or grade points for PHYS 18 or 19 if completed with a passing grade.
Currently, Banner does not restrict students from enrolling in PHYS 18/19 if they have completed PHYS 8/9.
Illegal Sequencing
The issue of sequencing is based on the premise that a student should not receive units or GPA for a course after receiving a passing grade in a more advanced course with the same subject matter or content necessary to succeed in the more advanced course. Appropriate course sequencing in the School of Natural Sciences is most critical in mathematics, chemistry and biology courses.
- Students who do not pass (currently defined as D+ or lower) the higher level course, with the guidance/help of their advisor, should be allowed to enroll in the lower level course for units/GPA.
- Students who receive a passing grade (currently defined as C- or higher) in the more advanced course in the sequence should not be allowed to enroll in or earn units/GPA for the lower level course
The following courses are identified by the lower level course as sequential:
- BIO 5 --> BIO 1 or 2 (more advanced)
- CHEM 1 --> CHEM 2 (more advanced)
- MATH 5 -->MATH 21 or MATH 11* (more advanced)
- MATH 18 --> MATH 32 (more advanced)
*The MATH 5 CRF predates MATH 11, so MATH 11 is not listed on the MATH 5 CRF, though MATH 11 & 21 have been coded as mutually exclusive.
The current CRF for CHEM 1, MATH 5 and MATH 18 contain wording that the course may not be taken for credit after obtaining credit for the more advanced course. We request that the interpretation of credit be as successful completion (passing grade) for these three courses.
Example:
An incoming student takes the AP exams in the Spring and then takes Summer courses (without knowing AP scores): If the student ends up earning a score of (4 or 5) on the AP Calculus AB exam, which exempts Math 11/21 (Calculus I), the summer attempt of MATH 5 (Preparatory Calculus) will not be awarded credit. If the student ends up earning a score below a (3) on the AP Calculus AB exam, they will be awarded credit for the summer attempt of MATH 5.
