Computer Science: A Second-Hand Brochure and a One-Day Deadline
Musa wants to study Computer Science. His O-level results are: English C5, Mathematics B2, Physics C4, Chemistry C6, Biology B3 and Geography B3. He has provisionally registered for the UTME with English, Mathematics, Physics and Geography. He dropped Chemistry because he feared the calculations, and Geography felt safer. A senior told him that Computer Science only needs Mathematics and Physics, so 'the fourth subject does not matter'. Musa's preferred university is a state university whose recent brochure, as quoted by a friend, lists Computer Science requirements as English, Mathematics, Physics and any one of Chemistry, Biology, Economics or Geography. A second university he likes is a federal university that his cousin says requires Chemistry. Musa has one day before the portal closes. He scored 270 in a mock UTME and is confident of his Mathematics and Physics.
1. Is Musa's current combination acceptable for his preferred state university and for the federal university? Explain the limits of your answer.
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For the state university, it may be acceptable if the quoted brochure is accurate: English, Mathematics, Physics and Geography fits 'any one of Chemistry, Biology, Economics or Geography'. For the federal university, it is probably not acceptable if Chemistry is required as the fourth subject, because Geography would not satisfy that. The limits are important: the state university's requirement is second-hand, and requirements can change year to year. Musa should verify the current official brochure or portal before treating the combination as safe. The senior's claim that 'the fourth subject does not matter' is therefore false across universities, even if it happens to be true at one.
2. Should Musa change Geography to Chemistry? Give a decision rule, not just a yes or no.
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Decision rule: change to Chemistry if either (a) he wants to keep the federal university as a real option, or (b) he cannot verify the state university's current requirement from an official source. Keep Geography only if he is certain about the state university and has confirmed in writing that Geography is accepted. His mock score of 270 and confidence in Mathematics and Physics suggest he can handle Chemistry; the fear of calculations is a preparation issue, not a registration bar. Chemistry C6 is a credit, so he meets the O-level threshold. The safe choice for flexibility is English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
3. What is the risk of relying on a friend's quotation of the brochure, and how should Musa reduce that risk in one day?
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The risk is that the friend may have quoted an old brochure, confused Computer Science with another course, or omitted a parenthetical requirement. The consequence is disqualification for a course he could otherwise enter. In one day, Musa should check the university's official website or admission portal, call the admissions office, and, if those are unavailable, ask CBT centre staff or a teacher to help him find the current JAMB brochure entry. He should not rely on memory or a cousin's report. If verification is impossible, choose the more widely accepted combination (Chemistry) because it keeps more universities open.