Common Transfer Issues

The outline below reviews some of the most common issues we observe in Chemistry with regard to transfer students.

Transfer course does not articulate as anticipated
- Course numbering often causes student to assume equivalency.
  - WWU previously offered an equivalent introductory course. Since we no longer offer said course, there is no equivalent to CHEM 121 transfer courses at WWU, essentially, making the transfer course useless.
- WWU has changed our course numbers in the General Chemistry Series to align with those most common to other WA state institutions.
  - Effective Fall 2018 WWU Chemistry adopted the CHEM 161-163 course numbering.
  - Additionally, in 2018 WWU Chemistry increased the credit number of CHEM 163
    (previously CHEM 123 at WWU) from 4 to 5.
Wrong Physics Series
- Student completes algebra based series, rather than calculus based series.
  - Students under advisement and following the AS-T and DTA Planning Worksheets should be able to avoid this.
  - Students attempting to navigate degree completion without any advising, often run into this problem.
DTA v. AST v. AA/S
- DTA (Direct Transfer Agreement) satisfies all General University Requirements (GURs)
  - 1. With the exception of Writing Proficiency Points (WPs). 2. This can cause incoming transfer students to have no required courses with space at the time they are able to register.
    - With all GURs satisfied, they have no schedule filler when they can’t get into required courses which happens often in the sciences.
- AST (Associate in Science-Transfer) satisfies most GURs
  - Except the following:
    - Writing Proficiency Points (WPs) – Three are required to graduate
    - Any comparative, Gender or Multicultural course (ACGM or BCGM)
    - An additional B-Communication (BCOM) or C-Communication (CCOM) course
    - Any additional Humanities (HUM) or Social Science (SSC) course
  - This can allow for a smoother transition for transfer students by giving them more options for a full schedule at the time they are able to register.
    - With GURs remaining, they are more likely to have a full schedule, given more options for required courses, outside the sciences.
  - Alternatively, the student may seek a “Reverse DTA”
    - This can be more efficient and cost effective depending on the number of remaining GURs to do so.
      - Somewhat of a complex process and would only be recommended in specific situations, reviewed on a case by case basis.
        Somewhat of a complex process and would only be recommended in specific situations, reviewed on a case by case basis.
    - Students should work with both WWU and transfer institution to determine if this is a suitable option.
AA (Associate in Arts) or AS (Associate in Science)
- Students completing associates degrees at a public WA state institution are encouraged to complete the DTA.
- Out of state students completing associates degrees are treated like AS-T students.
  - Course-by-course evaluation of transcripts for applicability to WWU GURs to determine which remain.
    - Instructions are sent to the student after enrollment confirmation.
Too many major applicable transfer credits
- WWU policy states a student’s major credits can be comprised of no more than 50% transfer credits.
  - AST students are exempt from this policy.
  - DTA and AA or AS students are NOT exempt from this policy.
    - It is advisable to complete the following for smoothest transition to chemistry department majors:
      - BS/BS-Chemistry Majors:
        General Chemistry I-III: WWU CHEM 161-163
        Physics with Calculus I-III: WWU PHYS 161-163
        Rather than Organic Chemistry due to WWU requirement for upper division credits. *See below
        Calculus I & II: WWU MATH 124/125
      - BS-Biochemistry Majors, same as above and additionally:
        General Biology I & II: WWU BIOL 204/205
        Biochemistry majors are not required to complete BIOL 206. However, it is a pre-health profession requirement.
        Students NOT receiving an AS-T; completing General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics with Calculus, Calculus (and Introductory Biology for the Biochemistry track) will have too many transfer credits.
        Students with this issue have completed additional approved advanced electives to offset this percentage and satisfy the 50% requirement.
        This is an undesirable solution. It can result in additional quarters if students are not aware of this problem early on.
        If the ratio is too far off and irreparable, some students will end up changing fields and pursuing another major to utilize the credits they have earned.
        Often times we see a shift to another science, math, or multidisciplinary studies.
*Too few WWU upper division credits
- WWU requires all students to complete a minimum of 60 upper division credits (3xx and 4xx levels).
  - Students transferring in with all their Organic Chemistry completed will not satisfy this requirement within the major and will need to seek additional upper division credit to do so.
Delays due to WWU course sequencing and application deadlines
- Several upper division course sequences are only offered once yearly in a set sequence.
  - CHEM 461-463/464-465 is only offered once yearly in a F/W/S and W/S sequence.
  - CHEM 471/472 is offered in a F/W or W/S sequence, once yearly.
  - CHEM 473 is only offered once yearly in Spring.
  - CHEM 474 is only offered in Fall and Winter.
  - CHEM 466-468 is only offered once yearly in a F/W/S sequence.
    - All of the above courses are restricted to students in Phase II/Major status.
- Applications for Phase II/Major status are processed twice yearly.
  - Applications are due the first day of spring quarter or the first Friday of fall quarter the year prior to enrolling in Phase II/Major restricted courses. (See recommended schedule for clarification)
  - Students are notified in May and October, prior to the beginning of registration for the following fall/winter.
  - Transfer students should visit us and apply for Phase II (if warranted) in winter of the year prior to their enrollment at WWU.