Retake Undergraduate Course for Your Masters

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision to retake an undergraduate course as part of a master's program in electrical engineering. Participants explore the implications of taking a familiar course, the expectations of master's level coursework, and the process of seeking approval from academic advisors.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that since they have already taken a similar course, retaking it could be an "easy A" for their master's degree.
  • Another participant raises the concern that a master's level course should delve deeper than the undergraduate version and recommends consulting with peers or advisors about the course content.
  • A different participant advises bringing the syllabus and previous coursework to an advisor to determine if an exemption is possible.
  • One participant shares their experience of retaking multiple undergraduate physics courses during their PhD, indicating that the courses were not as easy as expected and that it was not an issue for their program.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ease of retaking a course and the expectations of master's level coursework. There is no consensus on whether retaking the course is advisable or how it might be perceived by the academic institution.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of course depth and the potential for exemptions, but there are no definitive guidelines provided regarding the policies of the new institution or the specific course in question.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering retaking undergraduate courses for graduate credit, academic advisors, and those interested in the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies in engineering.

YoshiMoshi
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So I took a course for electrical engineering as an undergraduate, I'm going to a different school for my masters in electrical engineering, I see as part of the curriculum a course that looks very familiar to a course I took in my undergrad.

Because I can't use the same course for more than one degree at different levels, in theory I can take this course, which I'm sure I have already taken as an undergrad, and have it count towards my masters

Should I? it should be an "easy A" since I've taken a course that covers the same topics in my undergrad
 
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One should hope that a master's level course would go more in-depth than the undergraduate level course. Is there any way to ask people, who have already taken it, what is involved. Or ask an advisor or the professor.

I guess there's nothing wrong with having a class or 2 where you don't have to work quite as hard to get a good grade.
 
take the syllabus and all of your notes/tests etc to your new advisor. they'll either sign off on it an exempt you or make you take it again.
 
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I retook four undergrad physics courses during the first year of my PhD program at MIT: Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Statistical Mechanics. Easy As? Hardly. No one batted an eye.
 

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