Lied to by college pre-requisites

Dusda

I'm enrolled in two classes at Neumont University this term: Sets and Probabilities, and Algorithms. Sets is just a boring class that goes over set theory, probability, and some statistical shit. It is the pre/co-req for Algorithms. Basically, if you understand how to program using arrays, and have done anything with database queries, you essentially understand sets. They're not really that hard.

Algorithms, on the other hand, is a total bitch. While the pre-req listed for the course is just Sets, the curriculum itself requires extensive knowledge of calculus, algebra, linear algrebra, permutations, summations, etc. Half of what I'm being hit with is stuff I've either never seen before (convex hulls of a line segment? wtf?), or haven't touched since high school.

I'm not here to bitch about having to get this done; I'll get through it one way or another. I'm pissed off that I have to spend so much extra time (it's a 3.5 credit course; I had planned on spending my ubiquitous extra time making some money) figuring out concepts that weren't in the course description, and want it fixed. My question is this: what can I do to make a change? Are there ways to get my tuition reimbursed, or force the college to re-work their curriculum/course structure? What legal tools are at my disposal?

aesir

half of it is your fault by taking a class you didn't have the pre-req for completed yet.

However, it could very well be that the class is just harder then it should be. In a case like this, you have to take advantage of the one really fucking awesome resource you have at your disposal: your professor. Talk to him after class or at his office hours. Youre paying for his time, so make use of him. If you think his curriculum is too challenging, talk with him about it and try to work out the problems. Either way, be grateful that you have a challenging class. I rarely find any of those at my school.

Dusda

I have no problem with challenge. However, there is a difference between a challenging class and one that is completely beyond the requirements defined in the first place. The problems I'm facing has nothing to do with the Sets pre-req. That stuff is cake.

Jimmy King

At most schools you can drop a class and depending on the school's rules and how long you wait to do so, you may get your money refunded and/or have the class not count against your grades in any way, including being counted as an incomplete. You should have been provided that information in pretty much every class you took on the first day. That is where I'd start if you think it's just going to be too much, that way you can take some of those classes you need the background in next semester and be prepared the next time you take the class.

Additionally, talk to the professor and your advisor at the school about your concern that the description doesn't adequately describe the pre-reqs for the class. You should do this whether you're going to drop it or not.

neth

most likely the requirements were "inherited" from the previous classes you had to take, if you follow the line backwards, what are the pre-reqs for sets? and the pre-reqs for those classes? depending on what level course it is it is often assumed you have a good grasp on previous concepts without directly saying "you need calc 100, alg 140, math 366 blahblah".

blincoln

In the university/college-level math curricula that I'm familiar with, Sets is usually a very high-level class. Do you have the prerequisites for that one? Also, what year class is it? I would expect 300 or 400. If that's the case, are you a third or fourth year student in a math-related discipline?

Anyway, what everyone else said was true. You can probably drop it within a window and not be penalized.

Dusda

The window passed before this became apparent, basically. And Sets is a very basic class, MA110. Algorithms is CS250, a sophomore level course. MA110 has no pre-req. Not even a placement test.

Marty81

"Sets" is pretty nondescript as a course name, honestly - it could mean just about anything.

Dusda: Are you sure your prof expects you to know and understand all this stuff? I think it's common for profs to make little asides from time to time for people who have a stronger background, but that material won't be tested.

khain

For a 200 level course your probably expected to have all your 100 level math requirements done which at least at my school is all of calculus which would include pretty much everything you say is hard.

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Dusda

...I don't see why most of you are still hung up on the pre-req thing. The only class that is a pre-req for Algorithms is Sets and Probabilities. There is no other requirement. At all. Not even a suggested path. Period.

The class has a lot of curriculum that obviously requires extensive knowledge of upper level math courses. Period.

I can't drop the class, since the add/drop period has come and gone.

What do I do about this? Is talking to my instructor and trying to get through this my only course of action, or is there something else I can do?

Marty81

Going to talk to him should be your first course of action, honestly. Look up his office hours and go talk to him.

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Dusda

That sounds a little sacrificial, but sensible enough. I'll do that.

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SkyGheNe

You can also drop the class for a W, which doesn't look all that bad on a resume.