Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12595
Submitted: January 10, 2025 at 5:27:28 PM
First Name: Katana
Last Name: Parker
Pronoun: she/her
Preferred Name: Katana
Student Number: 20464466
Email: katana.parker@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: PHYS
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Add a course after the academic deadline, Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHYS 115
Term: Fall
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHYS 106
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2025
Petition Category: Add a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Dr. Ryan Martin
Section/Class Number: 001 and 002
Province / Region: Eastern Ontario
Exam Centre: Kingston
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Hello,
I am seeking to change the level of physics I am enrolled in as I am interested in pursuing physics as a major, minor, or specialization. In order to achieve this goal, I would like to formally drop PHYS 115 as a course and enrol in PHYS 106.
I am currently enrolled as a direct-entry Life Sciences/Biochemistry student. I excelled in mathematics and physics in high school but did not consider either of these subjects as majors until after university applications had concluded. Though I was interested in these subjects on a more advanced level, I remained in my pre-enrolled Life Science courses. Entering university, I could not fully grasp the workload that would come with each course and was apprehensive to assign myself a harder course. Shortly after reading week, though, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to pursue mathematics and physics further, rather than ending the experience after only one semester.
Towards the end of October, I reached out to the undergraduate chairs of the mathematics and physics departments to discuss a possible transfer into related specializations. It was discussed then that I would need to complete my fall semester courses, PHYS 115 and MATH 130, with great achievement in order for them to entertain the switch. Once receiving my final grades in both courses and therefore confirming that I met these expectations, I resumed my discussion with the undergraduate chair, Dr. Ryan Martin. It was then clarified that I could continue with great achievement in PHYS 116, though it was his recommendation that I enrol in PHYS 106 as better preparation for future courses. After meeting with Dr. Martin and attending his PHYS 106 lectures, it is abundantly clear to me that PHYS 106 is the best choice for my situation.
After completing the first semester and excelling in all of my courses, I am confident now in my abilities to handle a more advanced workload. I believe that such a challenge will prove to be beneficial to me, as it will encourage me to grow even more as a student and advance my education. On top of this, I love physics as a subject and have no doubt that Dr. Martin’s class will allow me to explore the content on a deeper level than if I were to continue with PHYS 116.
It is my plan to eventually pursue physics as a major, minor, or as a specialization. I am aware that 200-level physics courses build upon PHYS 104/106, and I therefore believe that making this change now will better prepare me for future physics courses. I understand that there will be a learning curve as I enter a different-level course, but I believe it is better for me to experience this now as opposed to in future years.
Thank you,
Katana Parker
I am seeking to change the level of physics I am enrolled in as I am interested in pursuing physics as a major, minor, or specialization. In order to achieve this goal, I would like to formally drop PHYS 115 as a course and enrol in PHYS 106.
I am currently enrolled as a direct-entry Life Sciences/Biochemistry student. I excelled in mathematics and physics in high school but did not consider either of these subjects as majors until after university applications had concluded. Though I was interested in these subjects on a more advanced level, I remained in my pre-enrolled Life Science courses. Entering university, I could not fully grasp the workload that would come with each course and was apprehensive to assign myself a harder course. Shortly after reading week, though, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to pursue mathematics and physics further, rather than ending the experience after only one semester.
Towards the end of October, I reached out to the undergraduate chairs of the mathematics and physics departments to discuss a possible transfer into related specializations. It was discussed then that I would need to complete my fall semester courses, PHYS 115 and MATH 130, with great achievement in order for them to entertain the switch. Once receiving my final grades in both courses and therefore confirming that I met these expectations, I resumed my discussion with the undergraduate chair, Dr. Ryan Martin. It was then clarified that I could continue with great achievement in PHYS 116, though it was his recommendation that I enrol in PHYS 106 as better preparation for future courses. After meeting with Dr. Martin and attending his PHYS 106 lectures, it is abundantly clear to me that PHYS 106 is the best choice for my situation.
After completing the first semester and excelling in all of my courses, I am confident now in my abilities to handle a more advanced workload. I believe that such a challenge will prove to be beneficial to me, as it will encourage me to grow even more as a student and advance my education. On top of this, I love physics as a subject and have no doubt that Dr. Martin’s class will allow me to explore the content on a deeper level than if I were to continue with PHYS 116.
It is my plan to eventually pursue physics as a major, minor, or as a specialization. I am aware that 200-level physics courses build upon PHYS 104/106, and I therefore believe that making this change now will better prepare me for future physics courses. I understand that there will be a learning curve as I enter a different-level course, but I believe it is better for me to experience this now as opposed to in future years.
Thank you,
Katana Parker
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Moving forward with this change, I will maintain my great work ethic and adopt additional learning strategies to adjust to PHYS 106. In addition to this, Dr. Martin and I have discussed the supports designed for this course, including weekly drop-in sessions. I will attend these sessions regularly for assistance with assignments and content-related questions. I also plan to meet with Dr. Martin for the first few weeks for further help and clarification as I adjust to the course. I am confident that, with this support, I will be able to keep up with the workload and achieve an adequate grade.
To ensure that I do not fall behind in my other courses, I will continue to organize my schedule as I did in the first semester. This will include thorough study techniques, effective time-management, and active in-class learning. I will also continue to reach out for additional help in courses as needed. This requires a high-level of responsibility and discipline on my part, which I am prepared to commit to.
To ensure that I do not fall behind in my other courses, I will continue to organize my schedule as I did in the first semester. This will include thorough study techniques, effective time-management, and active in-class learning. I will also continue to reach out for additional help in courses as needed. This requires a high-level of responsibility and discipline on my part, which I am prepared to commit to.