Hello Math Majors,
I hope that this message finds you doing well and staying healthy. I believe this week would have been Spring Break during a "normal" spring semester, so if you have time to do so this week, I would suggest trying to give yourself a mental break.
The deadline to change a full semester course from the letter grading basis to the Pass/No Pass grading basis (or the other way around) is this Friday, March 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm (CDT). Please check your enrollment for the current spring semester to ensure that you have the grading basis for your courses set to the way you want it. I have been getting questions about the Pass/No Pass grading option, so I thought that I would discuss it this week.
First, Pass/No Pass isn't exactly equal to Pass/Fail. To earn a Pass grade, you must achieve the equivalent of a C or better letter grade, but you will earn a No Pass grade for a C- or below letter. The advantage to Pass/No Pass grades is that they don't affect your cumulative or semester GPA. The disadvantage to Pass/No Pass grades is that you give up the option to earn course credit for a C- to a D- letter grade and the ability to earn GPA points for a good letter grade if the course turns around for you after the deadline.
Second, there is a 24 credit hour limit on courses with Pass grades that can be counted toward your degree. Courses with Pass grades can be used to complete your ACE, CDR, Scientifically Based Courses, and Upper-level Courses requirements. However, courses with C- to D- grades can be used toward those requirements as well. If you achieve a No Pass grade by earning a C- to a D- grade, you won't be able to use that course toward those general education requirements.
Third, you can only have one non-Calculus Math course with a Pass grade count toward your Math major requirements. So for example, if you change your MATH 325: Elementary Analysis course this semester to the Pass/No Pass grading basis and earn a Pass grade, you won't be able to use any additional Math courses or Math major option courses with Pass grades to complete your Math major requirements. Additionally, all Math courses and Math major option courses must be completed with C or better letter grades to be applied toward the Math major and Math major option requirements.
Lastly, courses taken for a Pass/No Pass grade can impact your future eligibility for scholarships or financial aid. If you are considering a change to the Pass/No Pass grading basis and you have any concerns about your eligibility for future scholarships or financial aid, I would encourage you to connect with the Husker Hub prior to making the change and prior to the Friday deadline. You can connect with the Husker Hub at 402-472-2030 or huskerhub@unl.edu. The Husker Hub also takes virtual walk-in meetings every weekday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and you can find more about virtual walk-in meetings here: https://huskerhub-checkin.unl.edu/.
Depending on the course, the decision to change a course to the Pass/No Pass grading basis can be more complicated then the four points that I outlined above. Please schedule a meeting with me or visit me for a drop-in meeting this week if you have any questions about the Pass/No Pass grading basis option.
Upcoming Important Enrollment Dates
- Monday, April 5: Start of Fall 2021 Priority Registration.
Best wishes, Doug
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Spring 2021 Math Advising
All academic advising for the Spring 2021 season will be completed virtually for now. This means that all advising meetings and interactions will be conducted on Zoom, over the phone, or via email. Doug and Professor Radu are available to meet your academic advising needs, and we look forward to meeting with you and working with you throughout the fall semester. Even though advising will continue to be virtual, we will do everything we can to support you for the winter season.
Due to social distancing even if Doug and Professor Radu are in their offices, you will need schedule an advising appointment that will be conducted via Zoom, phone, or email or join drop-in advising on Zoom. If an in-person meeting is absolutely required, arrangements will need to be made well in advance so we can accommodate social distancing in the meeting.
Doug’s advising hours will be:
Appointments – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
Appointments – 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm every Wednesday and Friday
Drop-In Advising - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm every Wednesday and Friday
You can schedule an appointment with Doug by using the MyPlan system via this link, by calling the College of Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center at 402-472-4190, by calling Doug at 402-472-4319, or by emailing him at dpellatz@unl.edu. Doug is also taking drop-in meetings from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays at https://unl.zoom.us/my/casadvising.
Professor Radu’s advising hours will be by appointment only. To schedule a meeting with Professor Radu, please email her at pradu@unl.edu.