Degree Audit User Training | Sequencing

What is sequencing?

Sequencing refers to multiple components in IDA related to processing order. This module will discuss concepts and definitions to assist you in understanding sequences.

Degree Plan Sequence:

The requirements page for a given degree plan will display the sequences for the entire degree plan. When an audit is submitted for a given degree plan, IDA first processes the degree plan restrictions (starting with sequence record #1) to eliminate any coursework that doesn't count uniformly. IDA then processes the requirements, starting with sequence record #1.

A quick view of how coursework is processed:

1. Degree plan restrictions
2. High School Deficiency Requirements
3. Course Requirements
   1. Sequence 1
   2. Sequence 2
   3. ...
4. Total requirements
   1. Sequence 1
   2. Sequence 2
   3. ...
5. GPA requirements
   1. Sequence 1
   2. Sequence 2
   3. ...
6. Proficiency/Portfolio Requirements
   1. Sequence 1
   2. Sequence 2
   3. ...

(NOTE: The sequence of the degree plan does not reflect the order in which the requirements appear on the completed audit.).

Requirement Sequence:

Within a requirement, the core processor follows the same guidelines for removing restricted courses before evaluating for applicability. All associated scope restrictions and subset restrictions are processed first. After that, restrictions built into the requirement are processed. The core processor then moves to the option(s). It will first process any option restrictions, and then evaluate the option's coursework for applicability.

A quick view of course work sequence:

1. Scope Restriction
2. Subset Restriction
3. Requirement Restriction
   1. Section 001
      1. Option 1 restriction (if one is present)
      2. Option 1 course work
      3. Option 2
   2. Section 002
      1. Option 1 restriction (if one is present)
      2. Option 1 course work
      3. Option 2

Course List sequence:

Course lists carry their own sequence of courses that will meet the requirement. These are lined up in the order they exist in the course list.

Sequence 1 = First course checked

Sequence 2 = second course checked

…

Why does sequencing matter?

Sequence matters because this is the order that the system will process coursework. If you remember from the Mode Discussion, it is also one of the things that you can change, but you will have to request a sequencing migration from the Office of the Registrar. Sequencing coursework can also improve the overall processing time of the audits.

Sequencing your restrictions properly can also remove courses from counting toward other restrictions.

In the example listed above the Liberal Arts is removing 36 hours of economics preferencing ECO 304K & ECO 304L as exceptions to the rule before the courses are even removed from the restriction below it.

What constitutes a sequence change?

A sequence change is anything (other than changing the course list sequence, or adding sections or options) that modifies how the courses are processed. This can be done by adding a new requirement or restriction, deleting a requirement or restriction, and/or moving a requirement or restriction into a new sequence location.

Moving a requirement/restriction:

You can move and change the sequence of any requirement/restriction that exists at the level of the degree plan you are at. For example, if you are working on degree plan CSRTFBS, you can only move requirements and restrictions that are coded at CSRTFBS. These will appear white on the screen and all other requirements that you cannot move will be grey.

To move the requirement, simply click on the sequence number and drag it to the location within the requirements page you would like this requirement to process.