Prerequisite
A course that must be completed before enrolling in a more advanced course.
🔐 What is a Prerequisite?
A prerequisite is a course or requirement that must be completed successfully before you can enroll in a more advanced course. Prerequisites ensure students have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in higher-level coursework and maintain academic standards.
Prerequisite Purpose:
Academic preparation
Skill foundation
Success assurance
Sequence enforcement
Knowledge building
Types of Prerequisites
Course Prerequisites
- Specific courses required
- Minimum grade requirement (usually C)
- Sequential learning progression
- Department-specific requirements
- Enforced by registration system
Program Prerequisites
- Admission requirements
- GPA thresholds
- Credit hour minimums
- Background knowledge
- Professional program requirements
📊 Common Prerequisite Examples
STEM Prerequisites
- Calculus I → Calculus II
- Physics I → Physics II
- Chemistry I → Organic Chemistry
- Biology I → Microbiology
Language Prerequisites
- Spanish 101 → Spanish 102
- French I → French II
- Basic → Intermediate levels
- Conversation → Literature
Business Prerequisites
- Intro Accounting → Managerial
- Microeconomics → Macroeconomics
- Statistics → Finance
- Marketing → Advanced Marketing
🎯 Why Prerequisites Matter
- Academic Success: Ensures you have the foundation to succeed in advanced courses
- Learning Progression: Builds knowledge step-by-step in logical sequence
- Resource Efficiency: Prevents students from struggling in courses they're unprepared for
- Standards Maintenance: Upholds academic quality and rigor
- Advising Guidance: Helps academic advisors guide student course selection
⚠️ Prerequisite Challenges
Registration Issues
- Course capacity limits
- Schedule conflicts
- Prerequisite overrides needed
- Transfer credit evaluation
- International credit recognition
Planning Impact
- Graduation timeline delays
- Course sequence requirements
- Summer session needs
- Study abroad complications
- Major change difficulties
📈 Navigating Prerequisites Successfully
- Early Planning: Review degree requirements and prerequisite chains early
- Academic Advising: Regular meetings with academic advisors for guidance
- Course Sequencing: Plan your academic path to meet prerequisites on time
- Performance Focus: Maintain good grades to meet minimum grade requirements
- Alternative Options: Explore equivalent courses or prerequisite waivers when needed
🔄 Prerequisites vs Co-requisites
Prerequisites
- Completed before enrollment
- Foundation knowledge
- Sequential requirement
- Prevents registration
- Historical completion
Co-requisites
- Taken simultaneously
- Concurrent learning
- Parallel requirement
- Allows concurrent enrollment
- Current completion
🧮 Plan Your Academic Path
Navigate prerequisites and plan your course sequence: