This article defines the prerequisite courses and discloses some major benefits and drawbacks of studying them. It also highlights the core difference between pre-requisites and Co-requisites. Give it a read to settle the debate.
Prerequisites are often a major reason students choose to change their degree paths. As per the statistical report by the Office for Students on the student transfer experiment, only 74.8% of students continue their postgraduate degree programs after the first year. These statistics suggest that college prerequisite courses significantly influence students’ decisions about their chosen fields of study.
However, despite numerous studies highlighting this impact, several colleges continue to mandate prerequisites, arguing that they provide essential foundational knowledge. Additionally, many students acknowledge that these courses have been beneficial in helping them succeed in their main areas of study.
Given these mixed perspectives, the debate over the necessity of prerequisites remains unresolved. In this article, we will try to conclude from the information available on this topic. So, without further ado, let’s dig deeper into the details.
What Is a Prerequisite Course?
A prerequisite course is the subject or course required to be completed in a specific minimum grade before commencing the next course. For instance, if you are studying a course ‘A’, which is a pre-requisite for the course ‘B’, you need to pass the course ‘A’ in order to commence the subject ‘B’.
These courses are usually mandatory to gain certain required marks to complete these requirements and start learning your dream degree programs. There are examples of students who performed better without studying these additional courses, but institutes insist on teaching them to students so everyone has that “level playing field.”
Pros and Cons of Prerequisite Courses
There are multiple opinions in favour of and in opposition to prerequisite courses. The opinions of students who have studied prerequisites are diverse. Some perceive it as a waste of time and money, while others say it gives a level playing field to all students. However, to conclude the debate, we have compiled some pros and cons of prerequisite courses.
Let’s understand the benefits and detriments of these pre-requirements.
1. Prerequisites Help in Higher Success Rate (Pros)
The purpose of adding prerequisites to the course was to enhance academic performance, provide targeted coursework help, and improve overall success rates. Many students believe that completing prerequisite courses with teacher guidance significantly boosts their chances of achieving better academic outcomes.
However, the results of the experiment tell the opposite story. Yeah, that experiment was conducted before the mandatory completion of the prerequisites rule. The former dean of County College of Morris, Dr Matt Reed, states that they noticed “zero difference in success.” He also reviewed the fact that the “Prerequisites were kept to make the look more challenging rather than for student learning.”
Despite these views and the experiment results, the prerequisite courses were kept mandatory to study. This might be seen as there might be benefits that are unmeasurable or that have helped a few students. But still, making them mandatory cannot be justified; they would have been kept optional for the students who want to adopt them.
2. Equalise the Playing Field (Pros)
Every student has different cognitive abilities and academic backgrounds, which affect their performance. To address this difference, prerequisite courses were introduced so the institutes could study the basics again to balance their academic background at least. These prerequisites were especially beneficial for students with gap years. This way, they would have refreshed their basics, performed better, and competed with their peers effectively.
Prerequisites help institutes assess students’ skills, abilities, and preparedness to ensure compatibility with their curriculum. If students do not complete this primary requirement, they will not be able to follow instructions at the same level as their peers. Plus, professors will not need to specify separate times to meet students’ various needs.
1. Pre-requisites Are Not Relevant to The Majors (Cons)
The major detriment of prerequisites is that they are not relevant to the course they are going to pursue. For example, if the students decide to take a particular field of physics, there is no point in teaching them the “basic skills.” This is often perceived as a waste of time and money and an absolute distraction for the students, which can delay their certification of the course or degree program.
Instead, if utilised strategically, these resources can be beneficial for completing the course well in time or doing an internship for practical knowledge and other career advantages. Plus, the students think the courses do not meet their requirements and are difficult for not only the students but also the teachers.
2. Can Make Students Uninterested (Cons)
When students choose a major, in most cases, it is quite obvious that they know pretty much about the subject’s background. Forcing them to study irrelevant and too-basic prerequisites can deprive them of the possibility of exploring their interests further. Among students, the prerequisites are considered a “dirty word,” and they are referred to as speed bumps on the road to graduation.
Students already have quite complicated lives, so they cannot afford further speed bumps on the road. Only one or two are enough to send them careering off the track. So, we can assume that the prerequisites do not serve the purpose of teaching them before the course; instead, they make the academic paths more difficult for the students.
What Is the Difference Between a Prerequisite and a Corequisite?
As per RIO Hondo College, “A course prerequisite suggests the preparation or prior course work believed necessary for success in the selected course.” However, on the other hand, “A course corequisite implies another subject that must be taken together with the chosen course.”
If we describe this with an example, a prerequisite is obligatory before you jump into the main course to prepare your cognitive abilities and understanding according to the course requirements. This might include courses like English or basic Mathematics.
While the corequisites are required, pursue them along with the main course you are currently studying. These subjects are commonly used to support your majors. For example, taking a biology class while taking a biology lab course can help you better understand it.
What Does It Mean When a Course Has a Prerequisite?
This means that the course you are going to study requires you to take another course and complete it with certain marks to be able to study your desired course. These prerequisites are designed to match your comprehension and cognitive abilities to those required to study your selected course. This happens when the course you have chosen is more competitive than your educational background.
To pursue a specific major, you may need to meet additional prerequisites beyond completing a prior course. For instance, certain subjects might require you to achieve specific English proficiency standards. Additionally, completing assignments for these prerequisites is often necessary. While top-rated coursework writing firms can assist students in managing these demands and alleviating some of the workload, they can also help students handle these challenges with greater ease.
Conclusion
To sum up the discussion and wrap up the debate, our perspective is that prerequisites can be beneficial for students’ academic performance if implemented correctly. The institutes should work on making them relevant and more advanced so that students do not feel they are a waste of time and money.
These prerequisites can be less overwhelming if they are not mandatory. When students are obligated to do something, they tend to do less and feel stuck in those requirements instead of completing their degree programs. Institutes can better position these prerequisites and make them more attractive for students, so they opt in for them willingly.
This is a better way to equalise the playing field according to their needs instead of forcing them to do something they do not want to. This article explores the arguments in support and against the prerequisites, draws a conclusion on the debate, and presents a way forward.
