Understanding the Schedule of Classes

Timing

The Schedule of Classes is a working document used by University of Waterloo employees to list upcoming class offerings. It is normally finalized about a week or two before the applicable term's Drop/Add Period begins. Until that time, data will fluctuate.

The Schedule of Classes is updated every 30 minutes between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sample course offering listing

sample schedule of classes listing for GEOG 181

The Schedule of Classes Table Explained
Schedule of Classes Field Full Title Description
Subject Subject The subject is the area of study (e.g., ECON or MSCI). See the full course subjects/abbreviations list.
Catalog # (number) Catalog number The three- or four-digit number that identifies a particular course (e.g., AFM 121). It sometimes has one or more letter(s) as a suffix (e.g., FR 192A).
Units Units The credit value associated with a course. Unit weights are used in the calculation of averages for academic standing. Unit weights vary from 0 to 3.0 and most courses have unit weights of 0.5.
Title Course title The title of the course; a shorter version than what is found in the Undergraduate Calendar. 
Notes Notes Provides additional information and instructions.
Class Class number A four- or five-digit number that identifies a particular course component and class section (e.g., 5852 LEC 001; 11617 LAB 106).
Comp Sec Component section Refers to the various components of courses (e.g., lectures, labs, tutorials, etc.). See course components below for a full list and definitions.

Sections identified by #8# (e.g., 081, 181) are online classes offered by the Centre for Extended Learning.
Camp Loc Campus location The campus (the first letters) indicates which institution offers the course. The location (second grouping of letters) indicates where the course is taught.

Most courses are offered and taught through the main University of Waterloo campus ("UW U"). Here is the list of codes you might encounter:

Camp (Offered by):

  • UW: University of Waterloo (Main)
  • CGC: Conrad Grebel University College
  • REN: Renison University College
  • STJ: St. Jerome's University
  • UTD: United College
  • WLU: Wilfrid Laurier University
  • BLND: Blended course (Main)
  • BLNDG: Blended course (Conrad Grebel University College)
  • BLNDJ: Blended course (St. Jerome's University)
  • BLNDR: Blended course (Renison University College)
  • BLNDT: Blended course (United College)
  • ONLN: Online course (Main)
  • ONLNG: Online course (Conrad Grebel University College)
  • ONLNJ: Online course (St. Jerome's University)
  • ONLNR: Online course (Renison University College)
  • ONLNT: Online course (United College)
  • OFF: Off campus

Loc (Taught at):

  • U: Main campus
  • G: Conrad Grebel University College
  • J: St. Jerome's University
  • L: Wilfrid Laurier University
  • R: Renison University College
  • UTD: United College
  • ONLINE: Online course
  • STRATFORD: Stratford campus

Some example combinations:

  • STJ U = St. Jerome's University-owned course, offered at Main campus
  • UW J = University of Waterloo (Main)-owned course, offered at St. Jerome's University campus
  • BLNDR R = Blended class, offered in person at Renison University College campus
Assoc. Class Associated class number The number assigned to each component (i.e., Primary Component, Related 1, and/or Related 2) that links the components together for selection purposes.

For example, if you choose a primary component with an associated class number of 1, the Related 1 and/or Related 2 components must be chosen from those with the same class association number. Note: An associated class number of 9999 means that any time slot can be chosen.

In the above image, for GEOG 181, a student in LEC 001, must choose a LAB from 101 to 106 only (because the Associated Class number is 1). Whereas a student in LEC 002 must choose LAB 107 (because it is the only Associated Class with the number 2). .
Rel 1 Related component 1 The second component of the course. It begins with a "1" in the leading position of the class section number (e.g., LAB 101).
Rel 2 Related component 2 The third component of the course. It begins with a "2" in the leading position of the class section number (e.g., TUT 201).
Enrol Cap Enrolment capacity Indicates the maximum number of students allowed to enrol in each section.
Enrol Tot Enrolment total Indicates the number of students currently enrolled in each section.
Wait Cap Waitlist capacity 0 by default - wait lists are currently not in use.
Wait Tot waitlist total 0 by default - wait lists are currently not in use.
Time Days/Date Time, days, date (weekdays) Time: Times normally fall within the 8:30 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. teaching window. Although a.m./p.m. is not indicated on the Schedule of Classes, you can verify this information in Quest.

Days: The following list of the abbreviations are used for the days of the week.

M (Monday)
T (Tuesday)
W (Wednesday)
Th (Thursday)
F (Friday)
S (Saturday)
U (Sunday)

Dates: Some offerings are listed with specific dates, for example due to bi-weekly meets or a test slot on a specific date (e.g., 01:30-03:20T 09/14-09/14, 01:30-03:20T 09/28-09/28).

For online asynchronous activities, this area is blank.

Other terms you might see, dependent on the class section:

  • Reserve: It is the portion of a class enrolment capacity that is reserved for a particular group of students. To take that seat in the class, you must meet the criteria. See below how to determine if there is still space in the class.
    • E.g., Reserve: Level at least 2A GBDA students (spaces open only to GBDA students in 2A or higher)
  • Held With: Indicates the subject, catalog number, and section that a particular class that is combined with the class in question. Two or more sections may be combined. Classes will be taught as a single class with one instructor. Combinations may occur between several courses at the undergraduate level, between different delivery modes for the same course, or between an undergraduate-level and graduate-level course.
    • E.g., GEOG 181 LEC 001(on-campus) is Held With: GEOG 181 LEC 002 (online).

Determining if there is still space in the class
  1. Determine the number of available seats for the class in question:
    Enrol Cap - Enrol Tot = number of available spaces
  2. Determine whether the available spaces are reserved or unreserved.
    1. Review each reserve and ask yourself, do I fit the reserve category?
      1. If so, and there is space in the Enrol Tot column, you may add the course.
      2. If not, you can only add the course if there are any unreserved spaces remaining:
        Number of unreserved spaces available: Enrol Cap - Enrol Tot (overall) - remaining reserved spaces
    2. If you are having difficulty understanding how many reserved or unreserved spaces are available, review the image below.
      schedule of classes with example of calculating remaining available unreserved spaces

Notes:

  1. If there are no free reserved or unreserved spaces available, you will need to obtain a permission number from the instructor or have the instructor sign your Course Override Form (override Class Limit).
  2. If there is room in a class and it looks like you should be able to enrol but Quest will not allow you to enrol, it may be because the Schedule of Classes hasn't been updated.

List of course components
Component code Component name Description
CLN Clinic Teaching is devoted to the analysis, treatment, and management of direct care for clinical cases. Students operate in various specialty fields typically in a clinical setting.
DIS Discussion Teaching is based primarily on engaging the students in instructor-guided group discussions.
ENS Ensemble Teaching is conducted by means of evaluating musical performance amongst a group of supporting players.
ESS Essay Evaluation is normally based on a formal written piece of work that contains a thesis, substantiated by an argument that is properly referenced. Students work independently in consultation with an instructor.
FLD Field studies Teaching is conducted outside the classroom. Work is with the primary materials in their original setting.
FLT Flight The flight component is held off campus at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, and is the practical application of flight material learned in the course.
LAB Laboratory Teaching takes place in a room containing special purpose equipment required for student observation, participation, experimentation, or practice.
LEC Lecture Teaching is usually in the form of a series of lectures. The total class size should be normally more than three students; therefore, when a lecture section is combined with another lecture section (undergraduate or graduate), enrolment may be limited to fewer than three students in either one of the class sections.
OLN Online activities Teaching and learning occur online for a fully online course or as part of a blended course. This component indicates that a range of instructional approaches are used online such as lectures, readings, discussions, and assessments. For blended courses, usually there are weekly online activities that help students prepare for or otherwise complement the in-person learning component of the course.
ORL Oral conversation Teaching is based primarily on engaging the students in instructor-guided group discussions and verbal interaction, usually in a language other than English.
PRA Practicum Teaching involves supervised placement time in a work setting exercising practical routines and techniques related to a particular academic plan. Research and analytical skills are demonstrated based on the practical application of material learned as part of the academic program. Usually, a formal report summarizing the skills learned is required. Faculty requirements will vary by discipline. In some disciplines the course may need a specially equipped room and may meet off campus.
For graduate courses: To meet criteria for a PRA component, there must be an identified external partner that students engage with; courses identified with PRA must always offer a practicum experience, even if delivered with other course components.
PRJ Project Similar to the reading component, learning usually takes place as a result of independent study/research. However, in this case it makes use of special purpose equipment for student observation, participation, experimentation, or practice.
RDG Reading Learning takes place as a result of student independent study under the supervision of an instructor.
SEM Seminar Teaching involves students collectively exploring a topic or field of study. May be led all or in part by the students.
STU Studio Teaching consists of instructor coaching focused on practical skills execution, normally in a room with special purpose equipment, such as audio-visual recording equipment, theatre technical equipment, etc.
TST Test slot Used only to designate a time slot for holding mid-term exams. A specific calendar date for each test slot must be included with each TST component section.
TUT Tutorial Teaching provides students with additional information, assistance, and practice applying the course material. The format is typically in the for of an open discussion or problem-solving session.
WRK Work term This component is only used on a co-operative education course to represent an official work-term placement.
WSP Workshop Teaching includes intensive instructor/student contact as well as independent project work. It may be held in a theatre, studio, or a specially equipped room such as a flexible or active learning classroom to support groupwork.