Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Clue for sale

So I teach two main classes: first semester physics and second semester physics. Rather obviously, passing first semester is required before you can take the second semester. Right?

Early registration is starting for the spring semester, and the second semester classes are filling up. So what do I see?

Several students who have registered for the second semester who have yet to pass (even with a D) an exam in the first semester course.

Hello?

Your wonderful optimism is messing with our planning process.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have had students sign up to take both first semester and second semester classes at the same time. The computer does not differentiate between prerequisites and corequisites, so it lets these slip through from time to time.

Unbalanced Reaction said...

UGH. I'm a little nervous to see how our registration here at TempCollege goes. I really, really don't want to have the "you are failing my class now, perhaps you should consider other course options for Spring" talk.

Doctor Pion said...

I just give them their midterm grade and let them figure it out. Our system will drop the kid who signed up for the second class and gets and F in the first class, but not until after grades are posted in December.

Turns out it is not a big deal since the number passing right now is big enough that the significant planning issue (can we afford to open another lab section) does not appear to be too close of a call. The Dean does not want to open a section and then have only 3 people in it, particularly not in the current budget climate.