Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Members of the Academic Petitions Committee,

I am writing to respectfully request permission to exceed the 6.0-unit maximum for Independent Study Abroad and Letter of Permission transfer credits. I am seeking approval to complete 9.0 units (three courses) at the University of British Columbia during the upcoming academic term (Fall term).

I am currently nearing completion of my Honours degree in Biology and Mathematics. Although my transcript indicates that I require 18.0 additional units to graduate, this number does not accurately reflect my remaining requirements. The 6.0 units for CHEM 112 are currently in progress: 3.0 units were transferred from the University of Ottawa, and I am completing the second half of the course at Queen’s this semester. I have already received approval from the Chemistry Undergraduate Chair, and the transfer credit is currently being processed. Additionally, I have obtained departmental approval from the UG chair of the Math department for a 200-level mathematics course completed on exchange, which is also pending reflection on my transcript.

Once these updates are processed, I will only have three remaining mathematics courses (9.0 units) required to complete my degree.

I am requesting to complete these final three courses at UBC for several academic and professional reasons. My long-term goal is to pursue employment or graduate studies in environmental biology, particularly in fisheries science. British Columbia offers a significantly broader job market and a greater concentration of graduate programs in this field compared to Ontario. Studying at UBC would allow me to explore potential research opportunities, build professional connections, and better position myself for employment or a master’s program immediately after graduation.

I am requesting to complete these final three courses at UBC due to the exceptional academic opportunities that the institution offers in my fields of study. Academically, UBC offers a wider range of upper-year mathematics courses that align closely with my interests. In particular, UBC offers MATH_V 361 (Introduction to Mathematical Biology), which is equivalent to MATH 300 and directly supports my interdisciplinary focus. Importantly, this course is offered in the fall term at UBC, whereas the equivalent is only offered in the winter term at Queen’s. Taking it at Queen’s would delay my graduation. As a 26-year-old student who has been pursuing my degree since 2021, I am very ready to complete my program without unnecessary extension. UBC offers a broader range of upper-year mathematics courses that align closely with my academic interests, as well as opportunities in environmental biology and fisheries science that are uniquely supported by the local research institutes and graduate programs in British Columbia.

Additionally, this past academic year has been personally challenging, and my mental health has deteriorated as a result. I believe that a change in my academic environment would significantly benefit my well-being and academic performance. Experiencing a new institution for my final term would provide a fresh perspective, renewed motivation, and clarity as I prepare for the next stage of my academic and professional journey.

This request is not made lightly. I am fully committed to completing my degree requirements responsibly and on time, and I have ensured that the courses I intend to take at UBC align with my remaining degree requirements.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my petition. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to present my request and would be grateful for your approval.

Sincerely,

Anahita Partow