How do I search for a class?

Woman filling in a form on a computer

Quick links: Quest help for undergraduate students | Quest help for graduate students

  1. Sign in to Quest.
  2. Select either the Enroll tile or the Class Schedule tile.
    Enroll tile in Quest.
    Class Schedule tile in Quest.
  3. Select the Search for Classes tab.
    Search for Classes tab highlighted.

Note: From the Enroll tile, you may also choose the UW Class Search link on the left. This will open the class search in a new browser tab/window depending on your settings.

How to fill in the search criteria

  1. The Institution default is University of Waterloo.
  2. Select the Term from the drop-down menu.
  3. Enter your Class Search criteria (at least two fields):
    • If you know the Subject code, enter it in the Subject box, or use the select subject button to find it.
    • If you know the Course Number, enter it in the box below the Subject box and choose "is exactly" from the drop-down menu.
    • If you don't know the Course Number:
      • Select "contains", "greater than or equal to", or "less than or equal to" and enter a partial Course Number in the box; or
      • Leave blank to see all courses being offered in that subject.
    • Select the appropriate Course Career from the drop-down menu (graduate or undergraduate).
    • If you uncheck Show Open Classes Only, you'll see all classes offered, including cancelled or closed (full) classes.
  4. Use Additional Search Criteria to narrow your search results further:
    • Meeting Start Time/End Time: For example, typing 11 will automatically change it to 11:00; adding AM or PM will add specificity.
    • Days of the Week: Check the desired box(es).
    • Instructor Last Name: Select "begins with", "contains", or "is exactly" from the drop-down menu and enter the Instructor Last Name in the box.
    • Class Nbr: Four-digit number used as a unique identifier for each class offering on the results page.
    • Course Keyword: Search term used to filter course results.
    • Minimum units: Enter value in the box (e.g., 0.50).
    • Maximum units: Enter value in the box (e.g., 1.00).
    • Course component: Select the desired component from the drop-down menu.
    • Session: Select the desired session from the drop-down menu.
      • Tip: During Drop/Add Period, select "Regular Academic Session" to remove undesired course selection sections from the results.
    • Campus: Select the campus from the drop-down menu.
    • Location: Select the location from the drop-down menu.
  5. Select the Search button.
    Class Search Criteria in Quest.
  6. Search results will appear.
  7. To view more details about a class, select the class by clicking on the row.
  8. Return to the your results by selecting the View Search Results button.