Selecting and Declaring a Sequence

• Where do I get advice about choosing a Thematic Sequence?
  Your academic advisor and the department contact person for each sequence are the best sources of information.
• May I design my own sequence?
  Sequences found on the Current Thematic Sequence list are designed by faculty to emphasize coherence and systematic interrelationships among courses.
  Additionally, it is now possible for you to design your own thematic sequence. See the guidelines for proposing your own sequence to get all the details. The form for the Self-Designed Thematic Sequence is found here on the Liberal Education webpage.
• Should I declare a sequence as soon as possible?
  Normally, you would begin a sequence second semester of your sophomore year or first semester of your junior year, after you have completed most of your Foundation courses.
• How do I declare a Thematic Sequence?
  You complete a "Change of Major" form available from the department in which the sequence is housed.
• What if I change my declared sequence?
  Simply submit a new "Change of Major" form an your prior declaration will be dropped automatically. Only one sequence will be listed on your academic record.
• May I complete more than one Thematic Sequence?
  Only one sequence is required and only one will be recorded on your degree audit report (DARS).

• May I complete a sequence in the same department as my major?
  No, you must complete a sequence outside the department of your major.
• May I take a sequence if it is made up of courses which include options from my department of major?
  Yes, but you must be able to complete the sequence without taking any courses from your department of major. For example,if your major is Botany and the options for the first courses in your sequence are BOT 131, BOT 171 or ZOO 121, you must take ZOO 121.
• May I include cross-listed courses that involve contributions from my department of major (eg., BOT/MBI/ZOO 116)?
  Yes, you may use cross-listed courses in your sequence -- just be sure to register for them under the department that is NOT your department of major.
• If I complete two majors, is it necessary for me to complete a Thematic Sequence?
  Students who complete a double major automatically fulfill the sequence requirement, as long as their majors are within two different academic departments.
• If I complete a minor, will this satisfy my Thematic Sequence requirement?
  Yes, you may use your minor to complete the Thematic Sequence requirement. Be sure to check with your division (Arts and Science, Business, Education and Allied Professions, Engineering and Applied Science, Fine Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies) or the Miami Bulletin to determine how your choices may be impacted. For example, School of Business students who entered Miami in the fall of 2004 or after must complete a Thematic Sequence outside of the School of Business. For these students, to use a minor for the Thematic Sequence requirement, the minor must be from outside the School of Business.
  If you entered Miami as a first year student in the fall 2005 and want to use your minor in lieu of a thematic sequence, you do not need to do anything other than to be sure your minor is outside of your department of major. Your DARS is programmed to use the minor for the thematic Sequence requirement. ALL OTHER STUDENTS must inform the Commencement Office that you are requesting your minor count for your thematic sequence requirement.

• May I complete Thematic Sequence courses on a credit-no credit basis? Yes, unless otherwise indicated. A decision to take a class credit/no is irrevocable. Problems may arise if you change majors to the department in which the sequence was taken.
• May I used Advanced Placement credit to complete a portion of the sequence? AP credit may be used to meet Foundation course requirements, including those which act as the first course in a sequence; AP credit cannot be used for advanced, Non-Foundation courses in a sequence.
• May I use transfer credit to meet the sequence requirement? Yes. If the course from elsewhere is acceptable for transfer to Miami and transfers in as an exact Miami course number, the transferred course will appear on your DARS as fulfilling the appropriate Miami Plan requirement. If the transferred course does not transfer in as an exact Miami number but as a T number (e.g. ENG T01), the course needs to be petitioned through the Office of Liberal Education. See the Guidelines for Petitions for further information.
• Are all courses in a Thematic Sequence offered every semester? No, there are sequences in which courses are not available every semester. Please pay attention when you schedule, so you are not trying to complete a sequence course in a semester or a year when the course is not offered.
• Must I take the component courses in three successive semesters? Ideally, yes. However, course availability and scheduling pressures may make it neccessary for students to take courses in a Thematic Sequence concurrently.
• May I take the courses that fulfill my thematic sequence out of order? Please consult the sequence administrator if you wish to take courses out of order. This is not recommended practice, but no regulations preclude taking more than one of the component courses in the same semester or taking them out of order.
• Will my degree audit reflect my progress toward completion of a sequence? Yes, and if you have not declared a sequence by a second semester of your sophomore year, your DARs report will prompt you about the need for a sequence.
• May any aspect of the Thematic Sequence requirement be waived? Petitions may be submitted to the Liberal Education Office and will be reviewed by a subcommittee of Liberal Education Council.
• May I complete a senior Capstone that is related to my sequence? Capstones may be completed in your major, in an area related to your Thematic Sequence, or in any area where you qualify.