The importance of prerequisites

We have recently been made aware that there are a number of students who have somehow managed to register for classes for this Fall semester without having the prerequisite courses. It appears that there was an error in the atlas/banner system that allowed students to register some courses requiring two prerequisites as long as they had only taken one of the prerequisite courses. This error is incorrect and we have been informed that it has since been fixed. However, this does not help those that have managed to sign up for classes without the required prerequisite courses. Rather than withdrawing the students that are in this position we rather educate students on their responsibilities as it pertains to prerequisites.

• Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the prerequisites for any given course, regardless of technical errors.
• Prerequisites are to be successfully completed BEFORE the course that requires the prerequisites.
• If you enter a course without the prerequisite due to errors such as noted above or due to an override you will be expected to enter the course with the prerequisite skills.
• If there has been a long duration of time since you have taken prerequisite courses you will still be expected possess skills learned in the prerequisite courses. This includes ensuring you are up to date with industry changes that may affect these prerequisite courses.

It’s important to understand that the purpose of a prerequisite course is to better prepare students for more advanced courses. Ultimately it the student’s responsibility to ensure that they enter courses with these prerequisite skills.