I typically receive messages from dozens of students who want to get into my class after it is filled, and everyone has a good reason why they absolutely must take the class with me that particular semester. I empathize with the frustrating situation of not getting in, or having to wait a long time to find out. I wish I could accommodate everyone, but it’s not possible. I promise to do the best I can, and if I am able to add anyone after the class is full, I will take students from the waitlist. It’s unlikely I’ll be able to add students who were not on the waitlist. Please note that I do not control the waitlist – that’s done through the Peralta system, and you must secure a spot on the waitlist through the standard enrollment process.
Over summer and winter breaks, there is always lots of movement on the rosters. That is, students drop and the Peralta system automatically adds students from the top of the waitlist. If you are dedicated to getting a spot in my class, I recommend you keep trying to enroll, and hopefully secure a spot on the waitlist. You might get lucky and happen to try just as someone else dropped. Waitlisted students can expect to receive a message from me, with additional information, about a week before the semester begins. Please be prepared to respond quickly. If you respond, and I am able to add you from the waitlist, I will send you a permission number at that time. These messages will be sent through the Peralta system, so you must either pay attention to your Peralta email or link another email to your Peralta account. Click here to learn how.
If you are on a waitlist but find another class that works for you, please drop yourself from the waitlist to allow others the opportunity.
Face-to-Face Classes
- Enroll as early as you are able – my classes tend to fill up quickly
- When the class is running face-to-face, you must attend class the first day or you will be dropped to make room for waitlisted students who are present. YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST CLASS to keep your spot. If there are unavoidable extenuating circumstances causing your absence that can be documented (such as a medical reason) you may email me ahead of time. I can no longer accept extended vacations/travel as a reason for missing the first class.
- Extended vacations during the semester, outside of the regular Peralta holiday schedule, cannot be accommodated
- Check for all open sections and enroll in what is currently available (it may be possible to switch lab sections later)
- Make sure you have taken the appropriate prerequisite (see policy below)
- If a class is full, keep trying – someone may drop before the first day
- You may come to class the first day if you are trying to add into a full section – be aware there are no guarantees
- It is likely that there will be several students who come to add and feel they absolutely must get into the class, unfortunately it is not possible to accommodate everyone
Online/Hybrid Classes
- Enroll as early as you are able – my classes tend to fill up quickly
- When the class is running online there are “First Week Activities” in Canvas that must be completed on time to keep your spot in the class
- Check for all open sections and enroll in what is currently available (it may be possible to switch lab sections later)
- Make sure you have taken the appropriate prerequisite (see policy below)
- If a class is full, keep trying – someone may drop before the first day
- As mentioned above, you must have a spot on the waitlist to be added to the class
- I will contact waitlisted students shortly before the semester begins with additional information
- Extended vacations during the semester, outside of the regular Peralta holiday schedule, cannot be accommodated
Prerequisites
Everyone must take the prerequisites, with good reason. The prerequisites have been established by committee to benefit students. The prereqs are not an obstacle, they are there because your proven success in those courses makes it much more likely that you will be successful in my class. For Human Anatomy (BIOL 2), the prereq is BIOL 10 or 24. For Human Physiology (BIOL 4) the prereq is CHEM 30A or 1A. You must have taken the prereq or a comparable level course at another college to take my class.
The best path for students who took a prereq course outside of Peralta is to see a Laney counselor to have the prereq cleared. Generally speaking, I do not sign prereq challenge forms. In limited cases, for BIOL 2, I may sign a challenge form if the student can demonstrate via transcript that they successfully completed another college level science with lab instead of BIOL 10 or 24. The CHEM prereq for BIOL 4 is firm. Please note that the paperwork will not move forward quickly over holiday breaks.
