The majority of graduate error messages involve class selection, and many require you to:
- contact the instructor or department
- complete a course drop and add form
- request a permission number
Permission numbers can be obtained from the course instructor or the department offering the course (usually the Graduate Co-ordinator).
Course drop and add forms require approval of:
- the instructor
- your supervisor
- the graduate officer of department
- the associate dean of your faculty (in some cases)
Contact an instructor
Find the name of the instructor listed in the class information on the Schedule of Classes and use WatIAM to look up their contact information.
Contact a department
The name of the department is usually the same as the name of the subject. You can check a list of contact information for the department offices. If you can't find the subject listed, contact your department graduate office.
Common class selection error messages
The following information is geared to new graduate students; however, continuing graduate students may also find it helpful.
| Message | Description |
|---|---|
| Class Closed | This message means that the class is closed; however, under special circumstances, the instructor may be able to allow a student to enrol by issuing a permission number or completing a course drop and add form. |
| Class Full | This message usually means that there is no more room in the class; however, under special circumstances, the instructor may be able to allow a student to enrol. In this instance, a course drop and add form will have to be completed. |
| Department Consent Required to Enroll in Class | This message means that special permission to enrol in a class is required. A permission number is required to enrol in the class. Contact the instructor or the Graduate Coordinator of the department offering the course to obtain a permission number. |
| Instructor Consent Required to Enroll in Class | This message means that special permission to enrol in a class is required. Contact the instructor or the Graduate Coordinator of the department offering the course to obtain a permission number. |
| Maximum Term Student Unit Load Exceeded | This message means that you've tried to enrol in more courses than you're permitted to take in one term. If you feel there are special circumstances that would enable you to take an extra course, discuss with your supervisor and complete a course drop and add form if approved. |
| Missed Deadline | There are deadlines for adding and dropping classes for each term. They're listed in the Graduate Calendar (Calendar of Events and Academic Deadlines). You'll only receive this error message if you're making changes to your schedule after the term has already begun and you're beyond the deadlines for adding or dropping classes. If you believe there are special circumstances that would enable you to add or drop a class after the deadline, complete a course drop and add form. |
| Override Reserve Cap | This message usually means that the portion of a class enrolment capacity that is reserved for a particular group of students is full. This designation appears on the schedule of classes, directly beneath each section that has a reserve capacity assigned.
The instructor may be able to provide a permission number or a course drop and add form may be required. |
| Prerequisite Not Met | This message refers to another course that you must already have taken and passed before you enrol in the course you're trying to select. If you feel there are special circumstances that should qualify you to take the course without having passed the prerequisite, discuss this with your supervisor and the instructor. |
| Time Conflict | This message means that the times for at least two (2) of your classes overlap. Discuss the overlap with the instructors for each course to determine if it is an issue. If not, complete a course drop and add form and provide an explanation for permitting the overlap. |