Undergraduate Program Counselling
Help with Fall 2024 Course Selection
Fall 2024 Restrictions on first year CIS courses:
- CIS*1300 Computing students, BSc Physics (all), BMATH, MSCI, CIS minor, BDA minor, AG minor, MSCI minor
- CIS*1910 Computing students, CIS minors
How do I register for courses?
Check the Registration Guide. WebAdvisor had an update so even returning students may need to skim the Tutorial. Add courses one at a time, starting with required CIS ones. You will need to be flexible with your section choices. You will need to "page" on WebAdvisor to see all of the section options.
Why is a CIS course full? Why does a CIS course have so little space?
Space is added to courses manaully in the morning. They should be up by 8 a.m. but sometimes it takes a few minutes longer. Please page on WebAdvisor, the first few sections may be full but other sections should have space.
My required CIS course is still full and it is later in the morning. What should I do?
Email Sarah and Greg: cscouns@uoguelph.ca from your University email, with your student number, course, and specific details. Do not wait until late August about a required CIS course you need. By then it might be too late to register. Students who do not enrol by July 12 may find that their desired or required course sections are no longer available. Email now.
My non-CIS elective is full or has a restriction that prevents me from adding. What should I do?
Add a different elective for now and check back periodically to see whether the course has more space or the restriction was removed. For restricted courses you may need to declare a minor. Add a different elective for now, and check the Minor section below. You can also try emailing the course contact about details Course Contacts. Do add a different elective while you wait. If the other elective works out during course selection you can swap them.
Can I add a CIS course without the pre-requisite?
CIS pre-requisites are mandatory for CIS courses, it’s not a decision on our part. It applies to all students. This rule was decided on by SoCS Faculty many years ago, and the goal is to support students. Before the rule, Computing students would sometimes continue into future courses they were not prepared for and struggle in those as well until they were required to withdraw.
Pre-requisites are important for:
- Academic success in the course. CIS courses are like building blocks on top of each other, and if the foundation is shaky the blocks will tumble down sooner or later.
- Avoiding student struggles and stress. Completing the CIS pre-requisites ensure the student is well prepared for the next course. The way to show mastery of a topic is by passing the required course.
If you have learned the pre-requisite course material outside of university please connect with the professor and explain your experience and how that has prepared you for the course.
How do I get permission to take a 6th Course (3.00 credits or more)?
Taking 6 courses per semester is typically not recommended. The additional course load frequently leads to a lower final semester average.
To take 3.00 credits or more you need program counsellor approval and you need to meet the following criteria:
- have a 70% cumulative average OR
- this will be the final semester of your degree and you need to overload to graduate
If you meet the above criteria, the earliest date you may request permission is August 26, 2024. Email your request to cscouns@uoguelph.ca with the subject line: ‘Requesting a Credit Overload’ . Note: if the semester is your last semester and you require 6 courses to graduate, you may contact our office before this date. If you do not meet these requirements you have the option of adding the additional 0.5 credit without permission on the last day of the add period, September 13.
Minor or Area of Application?
Bachelor of Computing students in CS or SENG have to take some electives outside of computing. There are two options.
Minors. Minors are 5.0 credits (usually 10 courses) you take over your 8 academic semesters. These give a good foundation and introduction to the subject. They also go on your transcript, and are an officially recognized credential.
The other option is an Area of Application. This is for students who find minors too restricted and want more flexibility in choosing electives. It requires 4.0 credits (normally 8 courses) in a subject other than CIS, of which 1.0 credits must be at the 3000 level or higher. It’s unofficial, and not recognized on the transcript. It does let students combine subjects into a custom learning plan, for example Math and Music. Again, spread over the eight academic semesters.
If you’re not sure what you like, try a variety of subjects in first year, then start focusing on one starting in second year.
Minors
The current list of minors can be seen here. They are subject to change. Minors are added, paused, or cancelled periodically.
I would like to declare or change a minor
There is an online form for this midway down this page, titled Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request Form Please only use it to declare or change a minor. For everything else email cscouns@uoguelph.ca for details first.
The Calendar year is usually the same as the one for your major as shown on WebAdvisor. If the minor was not available then or has changed and you would like the new minor requirements you can declare the newer minor.
I have a completely different question. Who can I ask?
If your question is about the Bachelor of Computing degree or CIS courses email Sarah and Greg: cscouns@uoguelph.ca