Course registration information for new undergraduate students

2 students walking through the tunnel to Engineering 7

Quick links: What do I need to know to get started? | Key terms | What are the key dates I need to know as a first-year student? | Course registration steps and information for new students | Information for other students

Course registration at a glance

We know you are excited to learn all about your courses and your class schedule for the winter. We have provided information about the process, and the information that is currently known. We will keep this page updated until it is time for action in September-October 2024.

Last updated: September 12, 2024

What do I need to know to get started?

A school year for students is usually two academic terms and most full-time students take five courses in a term.

Depending on your program (i.e., degree and major), you might be automatically registered into all or some of your winter term courses. If you have to choose at least one (1) course, you'll participate in the Course Selection Period. Continue reading to learn more.

If you are a student transferring from a college or another university, see important details for you below.

Key terms

You may be familiar with the term "program" during your application stage. For some, you may still see program in references, for others, you'll need to get used to new terms, like major:

  • Entry program: An admission point of entry. Students may apply directly into an academic program from which they will graduate, or they may apply to an academic program where they will be required to select a major.
  • Academic program: A defined set of requirements (honours or general, regular or co-operative) common to a particular degree.
  • Major: An academic plan that is the primary area of study in a student's baccalaureate degree (e.g., Arts and Business, Biology, Chemical Engineering).

Required (or Core) course: A specified course that you must take in order to fulfil your program or major requirements.

Elective course: A course not specified as one that you must take for your program and/or major. For some programs or majors, you must choose your electives from a specific list; in others, you may choose from any courses offered that you’re qualified to take.

Blended class: Designated by a campus code of BLND, is a class normally scheduled with both an online and in-person activity (students must be available to come to campus).

For more helpful terms, see 1) Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar for a complete Glossary of Terms and 2) Understanding course description listings for terms like "Prerequisites" and "Cross-Listed Courses."

What are the key dates I need to know as a first-year student?

Course Selection Period September 20-30, 2024
View class schedule and Drop/Add Period appointment time November 7, 2024
Drop/Add Period appointments November 11-12, 2024
Add period continues (open enrolment) November 13, 2024

For all students, lasts until the last day to add classes in January.

Course registration steps and information for first-year students

Faculty of Arts

Majors: Accounting and Financial Management, Sustainability and Financial Management

All your courses will automatically be added to your winter class schedule. For those who are interested in pursuing the analytics stream, contact the School of Accounting and Finance advisor.

Entry programs: Honours Arts, Honours Arts and Business, Global Business and Digital Arts, Social Development Studies

The Faculty of Arts will email you in October about the next steps in registering for your winter courses. Visit the Faculty of Arts course selection website for more information.

Faculty of Engineering

Majors: Biomedical, Chemical, Mechanical and Software Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering will email you in October about the next steps in registering for your winter elective. Visit the Faculty of Engineering course selection web page for more information.

All other programs, including Architectural Studies

All your courses will automatically be added to your winter class schedule. You can see your first-year schedule in the academic calendar:

Faculty of Environment

Major: Geography and Aviation

Your academic advisor will email you about about the next steps in registering for your winter courses. Contact your academic advisor if you have questions.

Major: Environment and Business

Request your required courses and elective courses on Quest during the Course Selection Period. View information for your major under the "new student" section on the Faculty of Environment's course enrolment web page.

All other Environment majors:

Faculty of Health

Major: Kinesiology

All your courses will automatically be added to your winter class schedule. Learn more about what your class schedule will look like on the Kinesiology course selection website.

Majors: Health Science, Public Health, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Recreation and Sport Business, and Therapeutic Recreation

Request your required course and elective course(s) on Quest during the Course Selection Period. Learn more about required courses on your major's departmental website:

Faculty of Mathematics

Majors: All majors, including Computer Science and Computing and Financial Management

The Faculty of Mathematics will email you in October about the next steps in registering for your winter courses. Visit the Faculty of Mathematics' course selection web page for details, instructions, and timing.

Faculty of Science

Entry programs: All

  • View your required courses on the Science website; these will automatically be added to your winter class schedule.
  • Your academic advisor will email you in September about your next steps, including what to do if you have electives.

List of courses that you might be able to choose

Fall 2024 - Winter 2025

For programs and majors that have room for students to choose courses (i.e., electives) in their first year, below is a list of courses that might be appropriate for new students. This list provides a sample and is thus subject to change up until November 2024.

To learn about the courses listed below, visit the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar. You can filter by the desired Subject Code to narrow your search, or you can also type in the exact course (subject code + number, e.g., ANTH 100) in the Search Calendar bar. Get familiar with the lists of terms in a course description to understand what is needed to register in the course.

Last updated: September 12, 2024

Subject Fall Courses Winter Courses Notes
Accounting and Financial Management AFM 101, AFM 123, AFM 131 AFM 101, AFM 102, AFM 123, AFM 131  
American Sign Language ASL 101R, ASL 102R ASL 101R  
Anthropology ANTH 100, ANTH 106 ANTH 100, ANTH 202, ANTH 204  
Arabic ARABIC 101R ARABIC 101R, ARABIC 102R Students seeking entry into Arabic courses who have not previously taken a course in Arabic at Renison must complete a Placement Application Form. Renison reserves the right to allocate students to the appropriate class based on this assessment.

If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact your academic advisor for assistance.
Arts and Business ARBUS 101 ARBUS 102, ARBUS 202 ARBUS courses are only available for Arts and Business students
Aviation AVIA 100    
Biology BIOL 110, BIOL 130, BIOL 130L, BIOL 150, BIOL 225, BIOL 240, BIOL 240L BIOL 130, BIOL 211, BIOL 220, BIOL 240, BIOL 239 Online WHMIS required for any lab or lab embedded course (BIOL 110, 130L, 211, 220, and BIOL 240L); BIOL 225 won’t count toward first-year Biology requirements in Science plans.
Black Studies BLKST 101 BLKST 102  
Canadian Studies CDNST 101    
Chemistry CHEM 120, CHEM 120L CHEM 120, CHEM 123, CHEM 123L, CHEM 140 Online WHMIS required for labs.
Chinese CHINA 101R, CHINA 102R, CHINA 120R CHINA 101R, CHINA 102R, CHINA 120R Students seeking entry into Chinese courses who have not previously taken a course in Chinese at Renison University College must complete a Placement Application Form. Renison reserves the right to allocate students to the appropriate class based on this assessment.
Classical Studies CLAS 100, CLAS 103, CLAS 104, CLAS 105 CLAS 103, CLAS 104  
Commerce COMM 231 COMM 231  
Communication Studies COMMST 100, COMMST 101, COMMST 149 COMMST 100, COMMST 101, COMMST 112, COMMST 149  
Computer Science CS 100, CS 105, CS 115, CS 116, CS 135, CS 136 CS 100, CS 105, CS 106, CS 115, CS 116, CS 135, CS 136, CS 200  
Croatian CROAT 101   If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact the Germanic and Slavic Studies undergraduate office for assistance.
Cultural Identities CI 100 CI 100, CI 200  
Dutch DUTCH 101 DUTCH 271 If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact the Germanic and Slavic Studies undergraduate office for assistance.
East Asian Studies EASIA 100R, EASIA 101R EASIA 100R, EASIA 101R  
Earth Sciences EARTH 121, EARTH 121L, EARTH 123 EARTH 122, EARTH 122L EARTH 122, 122L can be taken before EARTH 121, 121L
Economics ECON 101, ECON 102 ECON 101, ECON 102  
English ENGL 100A, ENGL 100B, ENGL 101A, ENGL 101B, ENGL 108D, ENGL 108E, ENGL 108G, ENGL 108P, ENGL 108T, ENGL 108X, ENGL 109, ENGL 132R ENGL 100A, ENGL 101A, ENGL 101B, ENGL 101C, ENGL 104, ENGL 108A, ENGL 108B, ENGL 108D, ENGL 108G, ENGL 108P, ENGL 109, ENGL 119, ENGL 190  
English for Multilingual Speakers EMLS 101R, EMLS 102R, EMLS 103R, EMLS 129R EMLS 101R, EMLS 102R, EMLS 103R, EMLS 129R  
Environment ENVS 178, ENVS 195 ENVS 131, ENVS 178, ENVS 195, ENVS 200, ENVS 220  
Environment and Business ENBUS 102 ENBUS 112  
Environment, Resources, and Sustainability ERS 100    
Fine Arts FINE 100, FINE 102, FINE 130, FINE 150 FINE 100, FINE 101, FINE 130, FINE 150  
French FR 101, FR 151, FR 152, FR 192A, FR 192B, FR 203, FR 250, FR 251, FR 252, FR 276, FR 296, FR 297 FR 101, FR 151, FR 152, FR 192A, FR 192B,  FR 250, FR 251, FR 252, FR 276, FR 297 Students should consult the French Studies placement rules before requesting a French course for the first time.
Gender and Social Justice GSJ 101 GSJ 102  
Geography and Environmental Management GEOG 101, GEOG 102, GEOG 181 GEOG 101, GEOG 102, GEOG 181  
German GER 101, GER 102, GER 201 GER 101, GER 102, GER 120, GER 201, GER 202 If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact the Germanic and Slavic Studies undergraduate office for assistance.
Greek GRK 101 GRK 102  
Health HEALTH 105 HEALTH 100, HEALTH 105, HEALTH 150  
Health Humanities   HHUM 101  
History HIST 101, HIST 103, HIST 110, HIST 113, HIST 115 HIST 105, HIST 111, HIST 112, HIST 113  
Human Rights HRTS 101 HRTS 101 Students planning to pursue a Double Degree in Human Rights and Law must take HRTS 101 in their 1A term.
International Studies INTST 101    
Italian ITAL 101 ITAL 101, ITAL 102 If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact your academic advisor for assistance.
Italian Studies ITALST 100 ITALST 111  
Japanese JAPAN 101R, JAPAN 102R JAPAN 101R, JAPAN 102R If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact cls@uwaterloo.ca for an assessment.
Jewish Studies JS 228, JS 233, JS 235 JS 209, JS 236  
Kinesiology   KIN 100, KIN 100L, KIN 146  
Knowledge Integration INTEG 120 INTEG 121  
Korean KOREA 101R, KOREA 102R KOREA 101R, KOREA 102R If you have prior knowledge in the language and want to take a course at an advanced level, contact cls@uwaterloo.ca for an assessment.
Latin LAT 101 LAT 102  
Legal Studies LS 101 LS 101, LS 201, LS 202, LS 227 Note that SOC 101 is a prerequisite for many 200-level LS courses.
Management Studies MGMT 171    
Material and Nanosciences MNS 101 MNS 102  
Mathematics MATH 103, MATH 104, MATH 106, MATH 114, MATH 127, MATH 128, MATH 137, MATH 138 MATH 103, MATH 104, MATH 106, MATH 114, MATH 127, MATH 128, MATH 137, MATH 138  
Mathematics Electives MTHEL 131 MTHEL 131  
Medieval Studies MEDVL 115, MEDVL 105    
Music MUSIC 100, MUSIC 110, MUSIC 111, MUSIC 116, MUSIC 140, MUSIC 226, MUSIC 246, MUSIC 270 MUSIC 100, MUSIC 110, MUSIC 111, MUSIC 116, MUSIC 117, MUSIC 140, MUSIC 226, MUSIC 227, MUSIC 240, MUSIC 246, MUSIC 270, MUSIC 271

MUSIC 116, MUSIC 117 and MUSIC 226 require an audition process. See https://uwaterloo.ca/music/current-students/auditions-current-students before the first day of classes.
Peace and Conflict Studies PACS 101, PACS 201, PACS 202 PACS 201, PACS 202, PACS 203  
Philosophy PHIL 100J, PHIL 101, PHIL 110B, PHIL 118J, PHIL 121, PHIL 145 PHIL 100J, PHIL 101, PHIL 110A, PHIL 121, PHIL 125, PHIL 145  
Physics PHYS 111, PHYS 111L, PHYS 121 (with calculus corequisite), PHYS 121L PHYS 111, PHYS 112, PHYS 112L, PHYS 122 (with calculus corequisite), PHYS 122L, PHYS 124 (with PHYS 112 or 122 corequisite), PHYS 175 PHYS 121 and 122 are required for astrophysics, biophysics, and physics minors; PHYS 175 has a calculus prerequisite.
Planning PLAN 100, PLAN 102    
Political Science PSCI 100 PSCI 150  
Psychology PSYCH 101/PSYCH 101R PSYCH 101, PSYCH 207, PSYCH 211, PSYCH 238, PSYCH 253/PSYCH 253R, PSYCH 257, PSYCH 261  
Public Health Sciences HLTH 101 HLTH 102  
Recreation and Leisure Studies REC 100, REC 101, REC 230 REC 100 (online), REC 151, REC 203, REC 215, REC 251, REC 280  
Religious Studies RS 100, RS 101, RS 110, RS 121, RS 123, RS 235, RS 260 RS 100, RS 102, RS 110, RS 121, RS 236  
Russian and East European Studies   REES 120  
Science SCI 206, SCI 238, SCI 252 SCI 201, SCI 207, SCI 238, SCI 250, SCI 252, SCI 266, SCI 267

Note that SCI 252 is cross-listed with PHIL 252; SCI 266 is held with CLAS 260 & PHIL 260; and SCI 267 is held with PHIL 258.
Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies SMF 101, SMF 204 SMF 101, SMF 111, SMF 204, SMF 211  
Social Development Studies SDS 131R, SDS 150R SDS 131R, SDS 150R  
Social Work (for Social Development Studies) SOCWK 120R SOCWK 120R  
Society, Technology and Values STV 100 STV 100  
Sociology SOC 101/SOC 101R SOC 101, SOC 200, SOC 227, SOC 248  
Spanish SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 150, SPAN 201A SPAN 101, SPAN 102, SPAN 201B  
Studies in Islam SI 121R SI 131R  
Theatre and Performance THPERF 102, THPERF 149 THPERF 100, THPERF 102, THPERF 112, THPERF 149  
Visual Culture VCULT 100 VCULT 101, VCULT 112  

Information for other students

Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE)

For Arts, Engineering, Environment, Health, and Science: All your required courses will automatically be added to your winter class schedule.

Review your courses BASE courses.

International exchange students (incoming)

Transfer students

If you’re transferring from a college or another university, you’ll receive your transfer credit assessment from the Office of the Registrar.

Once you’ve received information about your transfer credits, use the links below or contact your academic advisor for help with planning and requesting your courses.

Faculty of Arts

Visit the Faculty of Arts' web page for new transfer students.

Faculty of Environment

Environment academic advisors are available to help you choose the proper courses to fit your unique academic record, taking both transfer credits and major requirements into consideration and ensuring the perfect start to your academic career in the Faculty of Environment.

Faculty of Health

Visit the Faculty of Health course selection page and select your major for instructions.

Faculty of Mathematics

Visit the Faculty of Mathematics' web page for new transfer students.

Faculty of Science

Visit the Faculty of Science's web page for new transfer students.