CS Academic Advising FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Need some help with your academic journey or got a burning question that you need answered now? You can browse the topics below to see whether we've already answered your question.

E.01. How can I contact a Computer Science advisor? 

Please go to our Academic Advising page for the best way to reach us based on your situation. 

Other Academic Advisors in Math, especially First-Year Math Advisors, may be able to help you if the situation is specific to a Computer Science course or program.

E.02. What resources does UW provide to help me if I'm struggling? 

Resource	Support Provided
Academic advisors	Help with issues related to courses and programs.
Counselling Services	Help with stress management and other issues. Friendly and experienced counsellors provide confidential appointments.
Health Services	Physician and dietician appointments and a range of health services for students.
AccessAbility Services (AAS)	Services and support for students who have a permanent or temporary disability.
Student Success Office (SSO)	Support with study and time management skills, access to success coaches, and more.
Centre for Career Development (CCD)	Help with career strategy, job search tactics, grad school preparation, personality tests to help identify possible career paths, etc.

E.03. What is the failure limit for CS students?

For students starting in Fall 2014 or later (or using the Fall 2014 University Calendar and onwards), the failure limit is 2.0 units. If you exceed this failure limit, then you may be required to change programs.  

For students starting earlier than Fall 2014, the failure limit is 3.0 units

E.04. I failed a bunch of courses; what should I do? 

See a CS advisor as soon as possible! We will sit to understand your situation and any struggles you may face, and explore your next steps for your academic success.

It could be that petition to the Standings and Promotions Committee is appropriate as well.

E.05. What is the Standings and Promotions (S&P) Committee? How can I submit a petition to the S&P? 

The Standings and Promotions Committee (S&P) is the committee that decides when exceptions to the usual rules are appropriate. Examples of exceptions they consider: 

• Taking a sixth course when you have an average less than 80%. 
• Re-admission to the Faculty after an absence of more than four terms. 
• Zero-credit weighting courses you failed because you were ill or had other significant factors beyond your control. 
• Dropping or adding courses after the relevant deadlines. 

You'll need to complete a S&P petition form, include relevant documentation, and see an advisor before you submit the form. 

E.06. I've been told to withdraw from Math Faculty; now what? 

You were likely asked to withdraw because you've accumulated too many failures or you've used up too many course attempts relative to the courses you've passed. See a CS advisor as soon as possible.

Some options for you may include: 

• If there were extenuating circumstances, then file a Petition for Exception to Academic Regulations - Undergraduate Students to the S&P Committee. 
• Leave the University for a period of time. At some later point you might consider appealing or transferring. 
• Attempt to transfer to another program, either at UW or another institution. The Centre for Career Development (CCD) may be a good resource to help identify your next best option. 

Students who are considering transferring to Arts should consult the Faculty transfer to Arts page. 

Other students should follow these steps: 

1. Visit an advisor for the Faculty you would like to transfer to. If they'll accept you right away, great!

   • If not, fill out a Plan Modification Form transferring to Math Non-Degree. Identify the courses that will help you get into the new Faculty, and have that Faculty's advisor sign it. 

2. Complete a Standings and Promotions Petition, indicating your reasons for the transfer, what steps you are taking or will take to ensure your future success. 

3. Submit the transfer and petition forms to the Centre at least one month before the start of the target term. 

If you want to transfer to another program at UW, you may have trouble getting accepted given the failures and/or course attempts on your record. The Math Faculty offers a non-degree term (see below) to allow you to get some courses on your transcript that can help your transfer. 

E.07. What is a non-degree term? 

A non-degree term is when the Math Faculty allows you to take courses for one additional term after you have been withdrawn from studies. This is done purely as a favour to you to give you a chance to make your transcript look more attractive to a program outside of the Math Faculty. See the Math Faculty's Academic standings page (or the Academic Calendar) for more details or contact an advisor for options.

If you are currently enrolled in Honours Math or CS courses, you won't be able to use them towards a Math Faculty degree, so you may want to drop them ASAP and take something that will contribute to another degree. 

E.08. Am I in danger of failing out of my program?

There are several reasons you may be asked to leave CS and possibly the Math Faculty. The official policies are in the University Calendar. In summary: 

• Failing or excluding too many courses. See below (what is the failure limit for CS students or the University Calendar). 
• Having more than 10 unproductive course attempts (failed or excluded courses (including WFs and DNWs), repeated courses, WDs, CLCs, etc.). As of Fall 2018, WDs do not count towards this count 

If you're are in this situation, then please contact a CS advisor.

E.09. Can I take some time off from school? 

Yes, you can be gone from studies for up to three consecutive academic and/or co-op terms. If you're gone for more than three consecutive terms you will need to reapply. If you are in a co-op program, you should contact the Coop Math Advisors as well. 

International students should contact the Immigration Consulting Office within the Student Success Office about taking one or more terms off because of Visa implications. 

E.10 Can I withdraw from the entire term?

For most students, the impact of withdrawing from an entire term is no different than withdrawing from all of your courses individually. Depending on the date, the course won't appear on your transcript at all (first 3 weeks of the term), you'll receive a grade of "WD" or "withdraw" (fourth through tenth weeks), or you'll receive a grade of "WF" or "withdraw failure" (after the tenth week). 

For more information on dropping or withdrawing from a course, see Section F: Question 22.

International students should contact the Immigration Consulting Office within the Student Success Office about taking one or more terms off because of Visa implications. 

E.11. I'm in conditional (CNDP) or deferred (DEF) standing. What does this mean?

If you are in conditional standing, this means that your CS major average is below 60%. Although you are in a concerning academic standing, you can still continue in the CS program; however, you need to meet one of the following criteria to remain in the program:

• increase your CS major average to 60% or above upon the next term you take one or more CS course(s). If you are able to increase your CS major average to 60% or above, then you are put back into good standing and can continue in the CS program as normal.

• have a term CS major average of 65% to demonstrate significant progress in raising your overall CS major average. This would earn you another conditional term.

Otherwise, if you are not able to meet the above conditions, then you will be removed from CS. You may want to reach out to a CS advisor on advice on how to better manage your academics to ensure your academic success. 

If you are in deferred standing, this means that we are not able to determine your academic standing since you have a grade placeholder (e.g., INC, UR, IP, MM) for one or more of your courses. If your grade placeholder is resolved and your resulting grade(s) place you in conditional standing for that term, then you must meet the requirements noted above to remain in CS the following term (regardless if that term has started or already been completed).

For example, suppose you were granted an INC in CS245 during Spring 2022, were assigned a DEF standing for Spring 2022 and then resolved the INC in following Winter 2023 term. If your grade in CS245 resulted in Spring 2022 begin a Conditional standing, then you would have to meet the above requirements in the term following Spring 2022 to stay in CS.

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F.01. There's space in a course I want. Why can't I get in? 

There are several possible reasons: 

• The course might be closed (requires Department Consent) because there is a waitlist for the course. 

• Some departments reserve portions of their courses for specific groups of students.

• There may be a course conflict with a course already in your schedule, including midterm TST sections. 

Check Quest's error messages for concrete clues. If you still can't figure out why you're being denied, check with an advisor and provide a screenshot of the specific error message. 

F.02. What is Department Consent?  

Please go to our Department Consent & course waitlists page for a detailed explanation.

F.03. What is a waitlist? And how do I get on it? 

Please go to our Department Consent & course waitlists page for a detailed explanation.

F.04. I can't enroll in a course on Quest because the only available spots are reserved. What's going on? 

Some departments reserve portions of their courses for specific groups of students.

Please go to the our Course enrollment page's explanation of the Reserve Error.

F.05. I'm in Math and I course seleced for CS 245 and 246, but I didn't get in. What do I do?

Please go to our Course enrollment page's explanation of CS245/CS246.

F.06. How can Engineering students get into CS courses? 

Please go to our Course enrollment page's section for Engineering students.

F.07. How do I get into CS XXX? Quest wants a permission number. 

If Quest says that you need a Permission Number or Department Consent, then it likely means that there is a waitlist for the course. Please go to our Department Consent & course waitlists page for a detailed explanation.

If Quest says something else, please go to our Course enrollment page for common errors. If you don't have the pre-requisites for said course, CS advisors generally do not provide permission numbers/overrides. There can be exceptions (e.g. see Question F.26 below).

If you require access to a CS Graduate level course (CS 6XX or higher) then you should should complete a Course Override form, have the instructor sign off on the form, and then return it to a CS advisor. 

F.08. What is a permission number/nbr? How do I get one and how do I use it? 

A Permission Number is code that tells Quest that someone has given you special permission to enroll in a course. It can be used to override class limits, permissions, and prerequisites, but not time conflicts or holds. You enter a permission number in Quest and you can only use it once. 

Permission numbers are used extensively by CS advisors, but not as much on the other departments on campus. If Quest says that you need a Permission Number or Department Consent, then it likely means that there is a waitlist for the course. Please go to our Department Consent & course waitlists page for a detailed explanation.

F.09. A CS advisor emailed me a Permission Number, but it is not working. What do I do?

The Permission Number will not work if there is a block or Service Indicator on your Quest account. If your account is block because of

• unpaid fees, then contact The Centre and Student Financial Services. 
• advising holds, contact a CS advisor.

The permission number also won't work if you have a time conflict in your schedule. Only in very exceptional circumstances will advisors allow class overlaps by signing a Course Override form. 

F.10. I have an anti-requisite for CS XXX, can I use it as a pre-requisite for another CS course?

A course may be listed as anti-requisite for another course if there is a significant overlap in content. If you have taken a course that is noted as an anti-requiste for one of our CS courses, then please note that we do not consider the anti-requisite as an equivalent course. 

F.11. How does course selection work? 

Please go to our Course Selection page, which includes a video with more information.

For additional information, see the Registrar's Office Course Selection Period page.

F.12. What happens if I didn't select courses a term ahead? 

Please go to our Course Selection page.

F.13. I want to take non-CS course but can't get in. Who should I talk to? 

If you want a non-CS course (e.g., Math, electives, etc.), then please contact the department's advisor/staff of that course for an override.

CS advisors are not able to override students into non-CS courses.

F.14. Why can't I swap courses? 

Swapping courses will not work on quest if

• the course you are trying to swap with is full,
• the course you are trying to swap conflicts with another course in your schedule (including LAB, TUT, and TST sections),
• the course Add deadline has passed.

F.15. How can I take six courses? 

All Math students with a cumulative average of at least 80% are allowed to take six courses. Just sign up for the course on Quest. If that doesn't work, see your advisor to have a Course Override form signed. 

If you don't have a high enough average but do have a good reason (for example, it's your 4B term and one more course would allow you to graduate), you can petition the Standings and Promotions (S&P) Committee. You will have to complete the Petition for Exception to Academic Regulations form and have a CS advisor sign it. The Committee meets regularly throughout the term. Please note that receiving a sixth course by the S&P Committee is not guaranteed. 

If you plan on taking take a 7th course, then we encourage you to submit your petition as soon as possible.

F.16. I need an elective; can you recommend a good one? 

What constitutes a good elective is very dependent on your interests. Some suggestions:

• Scan the course description in the Academic Calendar. What looks interesting? 

• Talk to your friends. What have they enjoyed and profited from? 

• Consider your career goals. Are there related courses that might be beneficial? 

• Consider activities and hobbies you enjoy. Are there courses that might support them in some way? 

F.17. What's the passing mark, 50 or 60? 

The mark required to pass a course is always 50. However, to take the next course you sometimes need a higher mark, commonly 60. For example, you need 60% in CS135 to continue with CS136. 

You can always check the pre-requisite course + required grade in said course on the Academic Undergraduate Calendar.

Pre-requisites are summarized for CS courses on our CS pre-requisite chart page (however the University Calendar is the most up-to-date and always has the final say).

F.18. How do I finish an INC or an Incomplete? 

In most circumstances, you write the final exam the next time the course is offered and no later than 8 months after the INC/incomplete was assigned. 

• Talk to the current course instructor early in the term to make sure the course has not changed dramatically. 
• Talk to the instructor again a week or two before the final exam to make sure there is a place and an exam for you. 

Alternate arrangements could be made at the discretion of the course instructor / course coordinator.

F.19. Quest will not let me into a Math course. What should I do? 

If the course is full, then contact the visit the Math Faculty's Course selection & enrolment page.

If you don't meet the prerequisites, but feel you should be able to take the course anyway (e.g. you have an equivalent course from another Faculty or institution), contact the appropriate Math advisor. 

F.20. How do I pay my tuition fees if I can't get into a course until after the deadline? 

Schedule of due dates implies that you should pay the fees you know about by the deadline. If you sign up for an additional course after the fee deadline, simply pay as soon as you can.

Please contact the Student Financial Services for more information.

F.21. I'm enrolled in the advanced/enriched version of a CS course (e.g. CS 146, CS 365, CS 240E, CS 245E). Can I drop-down / switch into a regular section? 

You can only switch into a regular section of an enriched course during the normal course Add/Drop Period.

If the Add/Drop Period has passed, then no, you cannot switch sections.

Students may switch from CS 145 to CS 135 during their 1A term. This is the only exception. 

F.22. What is the difference between a drop, a WD, and a WF?

"Dropping" a course can only occur within the first three weeks of the term. A "dropped" course does not appear on your transcript. 

Starting the fourth week of the term, you can only "withdraw" from a course, which can result in a WD (Withdrawn, no credit granted) or WF (Withdrawn, failure). Please go to the Registrar's Office Important dates page for term-specific dates.

The "WD period" occurs between the fourth and tenth week of the term. If you withdraw from a course during the WD period, the course will appear with a grade of WD on your transcript.

• A WD will not affect your averages. 
• As of Fall 2017, a WD is not considered a failed/unusable course attempt.
• A WD will count as an attempt at a course.
  • In Math, you can attempt the same course at most 3 times before you are forced to withdraw from the Faculty.

The "WF period" occurs after the tenth week of the term. If you withdraw from a course during the WF Period, the course will appear with a grade of WF on your transcript. 

• A WF contributes a grade of 32 to your averages.
• A WF counts as a failed course attempt.
  • In Math, there is a limit of 10 failed/unusable course attempts before you are forced to withdraw from the Faculty.

You should talk with your advisor if you are thinking of withdrawing during the WF period. It is something that is never recommended. 

F.23. What is an excluded course? 

Prior to Fall 2013, you could exclude courses from your averages under certain conditions.

Beginning in Fall 2013, you can no longer exclude any courses. Previously excluded courses will remain excluded. 

F.24. I've graduated from Math (Post Degree), can I take a CS major course?

Yes, but you must have the appropriate prerequisites and you will have the lowest priority for enrollment (usually second week of class). You are also restricted to one CS course a term. 

F.25. I want to enroll into CS136, but I can't add the course on Quest. It says that I don't have the requisite but I took CS 135/116/115. What do I do?

You most likely need to enroll into CS136L at the same time as when you enroll into CS136.

CS 136 and CS 136L are co-requisites and must be taken at the same time.

F.26. I want to take CS246 or CS241, but I can't add the course on Quest. It says that I don't have the requisites. 

If you took CS136 before Fall 2022, then please contact a CS advisor for an override. 

If you took CS136 on or after Fall 2022, then you must also have CS136L completed before you can enroll into the above courses.

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G.01. What computer should I buy? 

Any computer less than three years old should be sufficient for most courses. 

A more detailed answer can be found on the New Math Students FAQ (Section 6 - University Life; What computer do I need to study at the Faculty of Mathematics?).

G.02. I'm in CS 135/CS 145 and would like to switch to CS 115/135. How do I do this? 

Please go to our 1A Computer Science course rule section. 

G.03. How late can a 1A student drop/withdraw from a course? 

"Dropping" and "withdrawing" can mean two different things in the context of your grades.

"Dropping" a course can only occur within the first three weeks of the term. A "dropped" course does not appear on your transcript.

After the third week of the term you can only "withdraw" from a course.

• If done before the tenth week of the term, a "withdrawn" course will appear on your transcript with a grade of WD.
• If done after the tenth week of the term, a "withdrawn" course will appear as a a grade of WF (Withdraw Failure). This is something that you never want to do.

Please go to the Registrar's Office Important dates page for term-specific dates.

G.04. I withdrew from CS 135. What happens now? 

You have two options: 

1. Take CS135 again in a future term. 
2. Take CS115 in a future term. 

If you are a CS major student, you should take CS135 again unless you think that you will not be able to get a 60%. Taking CS115 will set you back even further since your CS course sequence from here would be CS115 → CS116 → CS136 + CS136L.

You are welcomed to take this path and to build a strong foundation, but you should be aware that this will likely length your time at UW by a term and uses up one of your electives (CS116 is an elective for CS majors). 

If you are not a CS major student, consult with your plan's advisors. 

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H.01. How does adding a course affect the fees I pay? 

Look at the fee schedules. Each program lists a per-course fee for the first four courses taken in a term. The fifth course is often less expensive. There is an overall cap on the tuition fees for each term. 

For more information, go to Student Financial Services.  

H.02. Who can I talk to if I have a concern? 

Who you should talk to depends on the nature of your concern. An academic advisor is a good place to start, especially if that concern is about your academics. If they can't help to directly address your concern, then they can direct you to someone who can. 

If you have a concern about about a particular advisor, then you should talk to the lead advisor or the current Director for Undergraduate Studies (DUS). The DUS is also a good person to talk to if you have concerns regarding the teaching of the course. 

Finally, the Faculty of Math keeps an updated list of campus resources for all sorts of undergraduate support.

H.03. What do all those codes on my transcript or in Quest mean? 

See the following links to determine explore the coding that may appear on your transcript.

• UW transcript legend 
• Summary of Academic Standings (Faculty of Math)
• Regulations for Faculty of Math students (Undergraduate Calendar)

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