Divisional Academic Advising Offices

College of Arts and Science
146 Upham Hall
529-3031

School of Engineering & Applied Science
2nd Floor Bonham House
529-4036

Richard T. Farmer School of Business
103 Laws Hall
529-1712

School of Education, Health and Society
202 McGuffey Hall
529-6317

School of Fine Arts
212 Hiestand Hall
529-2209

School of Interdisciplinary Studies (Western College Program)
114 Peabody Hall
529-2233

Selecting and Declaring a Thematic 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?
  Yes, see Thematic Sequence section and download the "Self-Designed Thematic Sequence" document.
• 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, cross-listed courses that are part of sequence are outside of all majors and may be used to fulfill the requirement.
• 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, if you complete the minor and it is outside your department of major.

• May I complete Thematic Sequence courses on a credit-no credit basis?
  Yes, but such a decision is irrevocable. Problems may arise if you change majors to the department in which the sequence was taken.
• May I use Advanced Placement credit to complete a portion of the sequence?
  Yes.
• May I use transfer credit to meet the sequence requirement?
  Yes, as long as the courses are comparable to courses in the sequence offered at Miami. Where this is not apparent, a petition must be filed.
• 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.
• 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.