listen to a conversation between a student and a employee at the university center for off-campus study.

Hi, I am Tom Arnold.

I am supposed to pick up a packet from the regional center for marine research.I am doing an internship there this summer.

Yes, I have it right here.The mail carrier dropped if off a few minutes ago.

Thanks. Um... I wanted to ask about getting credits for the internship.I don't know if... I might be able to help you with that.

Is there a problem?

I just wanted to make sure the details have been corrected.The system should show that I am registered to earn four credits.But as of Frideay, nothing was showing up yet.I was told it would be fixed this morning.

Well, I can check on the computer for you.Tom Arnold, right?

Yes.

Well, it is showing credits... but only three.

Really? So now what?These all have to be finalized last week.Well, yes. The course enrollment period ended last week.

But since our office was supposed to get this straightened out for you before then....Let me see what I can do.

Uh... did the university give approval for you to earn four credits for this internship?Because the other students at the center for marine research are only getting three.

Um... I am pretty sure those other students are doing the internship at the center's aquarium, taking classes in marine biology and then teaching visitors about the various displays.I am doing a special research internship with the center.We'll be collecting data on changes to the seafoor out in the open ocean.

Oh, that sound quite advanced. 

Well, the internship requires me to have scuba diving certification and to be a senior oceanography student.I want to do advanced study in oceanography when I graduate.So I really want to get a sense of what real research is like.

I see. Now let's try and see if we can...Oh, ok. I see the problem.There are two kinds of internships listed here - regular and research.Yours is listed as regular so it is only showing three credits.

Can you switch it?

Not yet.But is lists Professor Leonard as... 

She is in charge of all the internships.

She just needs to send an email so I have an official record.Then I can switch it.And that should solve everything.

Great! And I know Professor Leonard is in her office this afternoon, so I can go there later.It will be such a relief go get all these paperwork completed.