Degreeworks Quirks: Special Topics classes

I am pleased to see that many of you are using Degreeworks to track your academic progress.  Like most tools, it can be very useful as long as you also understand its limitations.  I receive many emails regarding some of the issues which are NOT addressed immediately by the online audit, so I will be posting some helpful Degreeworks tips to assist you.

Today's issue is Special Topics classes.  Most departments offer Special Topics classes each semester.  These classes are coded (SUBJECT) 4803, and they are given a title to reflect the course content.  Special Topics allow students (and faculty) to explore new issues in research or development in their subject areas.  Most 4803 classes are designed as upper-level classes, and therefore, will fulfill CHBE electives (if coded as CHBE) or Technical electives.  The exception is CHBE 4803 Biomaterials--this class will ONLY fulfill a 2000-level technical elective, and this is noted under the title in the Schedule of Classes.  For a Special Topics class taught in another department, if it is not on the approved list of electives, you must submit a course syllabus to Dr. Agrawal for approval as a Technical elective.

When you look at Degreeworks, you will notice that the 4803 classes do not automatically populate in the CHBE or Technical elective requirements.  This is because each 4803 class is different, and it is the Title of the class which will determine if it meets requirements or not.  When a 4803 class will meet the requirement, there will be a note entered at the end of your audit by me indicating where the course will apply.  These notes are entered when 1) you schedule an appointment with me and we are reviewing your academic progress and 2) when you have completed your first online graduation application. 

It is up to the Degree Certification team to manually enter the exception, and this is usually done after you complete your graduation application.  Therefore, as long as you see a note from me at the end of your audit (make sure you scroll to the bottom and click "process new" to pull the most current info) you should be fine.  If you have a question about a requirement, let me know.