Registering for Classes

Course Offerings

All computer science (CS) courses identified on the degree plan by course number represent specific degree requirements. These courses are offered on a regular basis, described here.

Computer science technical elective courses are typically offered on a rotating basis. The specific technical elective course offerings may vary depending on faculty availability.

Academic Advising

For guidelines for advising, refer to this page

Students in the computer science department are required to meet with an academic advisor every semester prior to enrolling for any courses in the following semester. Advisors monitor the progress of students to ensure satisfactory progress is being made toward the degree. In addition, advisors guide students toward the best sequence of courses to complete the degree as quickly as possible, as well as provide students with information about scholarship, co-operative education, internship, and full-time job opportunities. Students are encouraged to bring their most current academic transcript when seeking advising.

Course Waivers

A course waiver is a special permission that allows one to register for a class that is restricted (e.g., prerequisites, major restriction, and closed sections). A course waiver is strongly discouraged but is occasionally required. Some reasons for needing a waiver include:

1. A desired course has reached its maximum capacity.
2. A course is restricted to upper-division students, but a student has not yet completed all lower-division course requirements.

It is up to the instructor and department to either accept or reject a waiver application. Typically, a waiver is granted only for an extenuating circumstance, e.g., you need to take a required course in your last semester, but the course is closed because it has reached its maximum capacity.

The general procedure for applying for a course waiver is as follows:

1. Download the Course Waiver Form (PDF); the form is also available from the main office of the Computer Science Department. The form contains sections for the various types of waivers possible.
2. Fill in your student information.
3. In the appropriate section (closed class waiver, prerequisite waiver, etc.), fill out the department, course number, and section number of the course you want a waiver for.
4. Take the completed form to the instructor assigned to teach the course. Obtain the instructor's initials next to the appropriate waiver section.
5. Take the initialed form to the main office of the Computer Science Department for the department chair's approval and signature.
6. Take the signed form to the registrar's office.