Picking courses can sometimes be overwhelming. Learn how to create your schedule each term and what to expect pending how you started the SDS program. Keep scrolling for some reasons why you didn't get into a course you chose and if there are alternative methods to getting in.
Making your Schedule
A complete breakdown of this process is provided in the PDF below.
Review the Important Dates website to see course selection and add/drop time-periods each term.
What to expect if you are a...
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Direct-entry from highschool student
(first year)
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- See First Year Courses to see what courses you should be taking (assumes a full-time load of 5).
- You must enroll in all courses every term through Quest.
- 1A term (fall) - choose up to 4 courses through the course approval form sent to you in the summer, add the Arts First course during add/drop (watch for instructions).
- 1B term (winter) - follow the normal enrolment process for all courses.
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Transfer student
(first term)
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Second, third or fourth-year student
(regardless of entry)
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- Follow the normal enrolment process each term.
- Aim to have SDS 250R and SDS 251R complete in 2nd year; they can be prerequisites for some upper-level courses.
- Everything else within your degree is up to you!
- Ensure you are tracking any remaining SDS degree requirements and any requirements for other plans you have (e.g. specializations, minors, double majors, etc.).
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Online-only student
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Why didn't I get into a course I wanted?
Course selection is where you can indicate you want to take a specific course without knowing full details. It gives you a higher chance of getting in, but enrolment is not guaranteed. If you don't see a class you picked during course selection in your final term schedule, it might be due to:
- Scheduling conflict with your other courses (on-campus and blended courses only)
- Check the schedule of classes and be sure to use it when planning your course selection. Consider your selection rankings. The system will prioritze lower numbers and program-required courses, which could bump you out of conflicting electives.
- Missing prerequisites or already took an antirequisite
- Confirm requisites in the undergraduate calendar before you pick courses. Prerequisites are courses that must be taken before other courses. Antirequisites are courses that cover similar information, but you cannot take both.
- Reserved seats
- Sometimes a class has reserved seats for those in specific majors, term levels, etc. The schedule of classes will show you reserves. These are always dropped closer-to the term and some departments drop them earlier.
- The course is *or was* full
- Quest does not always accurately indicate if a class was full, closed to new enrolments, and is now working off of permission numbers (main campus courses only, pending department) OR a wait-list (Renison, some main campus departments).
- The course requires a separate application
- Some SDS special topics/thesis/apprenticeship courses have specific standards to be met, including high grades, a faculty supervisor, and/or department chair approval. Courses will be removed from your schedule without this paperwork.
- The course is online
- Online courses won't show in calendar-schedule format, but will in list format!
Can I get into the course another way?
NOTE: Renison courses do NOT use permission numbers or overrides like main campus can. SDS advisors and faculty do not have the ability to add students into courses.
- For full Renison courses (including SDS):
- Add your information to the waitlists. If space opens up, the registrar's will contact you to confirm your interest and manually slot you in. FYI: Most times you see a "department consent" error in Quest for a Renison course, it means it's actually full!
- For full non-Renison courses:
- Keep an eye on the course you want. Spaces may open up reserves are dropped or other students drop the course.
- Try adding other courses or swapping courses during add-drop period.
- The first chance you can do this is during your designated online appointment time
- If you are enrolled in a course you don't need and want to add an available course in its place, be sure to swap the course out. This will keep your current enrolment until a successful swap occurs (important for funding!)
I'm still stuck - what should I do?
- Review the How To - Choose Courses for the Next Term document if you haven't done so.
- Review any previous e-mails you have had with your SDS advisor. If you’ve already been given the answer in a previous e-mail, your request may be given lower priority.
- Check the SDS current students website or Undergraduate Calendar – you may find an answer there.
- If you still don’t have an answer, e-mail your advisor with your question. We may be able to answer quickly or set a time to meet, but we will still need time to review your records.
- Drop-ins and phone messages will be treated in the same priority as e-mail; they do not guarantee a faster response or availability.
- Please be patient as request volumes are high during course selection periods.
