Registration FAQs for Computer Science Students

Here are some of the questions we often receive from undergraduate applicants and undergraduate students.

Your registration time ticket shows when you can start registering, based on the credits you’ve completed. To find it, go to XE Registration, select ‘Prepare for Registration’ and choose your term. A pop-up will display your ticket’s date and time. More info here: UIC Time Ticket Schedule.

Please note that it is critical you complete all steps to resolve your holds and abide by your time ticket; as more students register, options become limited.

Check out our Registration Errors Video for guidance on troubleshooting and resolving common registration issues and errors.

Common errors covered in the video:

  • Course Restrictions
  • Course Approvals
  • Linked Course Required
  • Duplicate CRN
  • Course Prerequisite
  • Time Conflict
  • Closed Section

They will be advertised after open registration. Refer to the time ticket schedule for these dates.

Yes, all full technical electives will have waitlists added once they are full.

We strongly recommend you become familiar with the process for waitlists by referencing an explanation from the registrar’s office. Waitlist Registration Instructions.

We strongly recommend you become familiar with the process for waitlists by referencing an explanation from the registrar’s office. An explanation from the registrar’s office at: https://registrar.uic.edu/registration/registration-instructions/#waitlisting

CS Courses – Add yourself to the waitlist. Some students finalize their schedules as late as the first week of classes. So keep trying.

Non-CS courses – Contact the department offering the course.

Please note that it is critical you complete all steps to resolve your holds and be mindful of your time ticket; as more students register, options become limited.

Undergraduate students:

  • Make sure you meet the prerequisite requirements
  • Add yourself to the waitlist for that class ASAP if waitlist seats are available.
  • You will receive an email after open registration from your CS advisor. In the meantime, keep an eye out for seats and make sure to monitor your UIC email.
  • Concentration should have been declared by Fall 2024 for assistance

Graduate students:

  • PhD students if your advisor requires you to take their class, contact your advisor directly for registration permission.

If your degree program does not require a specific technical elective to fulfill your degree requirements, please consider an alternate technical elective class that has an available seat. This may not be your preferred class, but it will ensure that you complete your degree on your planned timeline.

CS 4xx classes have two CRNs – 3 credit hours for undergrads and 4 hours for grads.  You are likely attempting to register for the incorrect CRN based on your student level. So, make sure to register for 3 credit hour CRN if you are undergrad and 4 credit hour CRN if you are a graduate student..

If there are no available seats, add yourself to the waitlist and/or consider an alternate course. If there are no waitlist seats available, you will need to wait until a waitlist seat becomes available.

CS 4xx classes have two CRNs – one each for undergraduate and graduate students.  Total number of seats is a combination of both enrollment.  CS Student Affairs office periodically monitors available seats in each of the groups and adjusts as needed after the open registration period.

Please reach out to the department offering the course and turn on open seat notifications. Department contact information can be found on their respective webpages. The CS department has no control over non-CS classes.

Undergraduate: Submit a Late Drop Petition through the College of Engineering at: https://engineering.uic.edu/undergraduate/resources/

Graduate Students: Any registration changes after the add/drop period must be petitioned and reviewed by the DGS. Email cs-grad@uic.edu for petition instructions.

Check via transferology if the class is transferable.  Submit request to take this course with the college of engineering: https://engineering.uic.edu/undergraduate/resources/

Submit request for access to these classes on their website: https://mscs.uic.edu/undergraduate/current/request-department-approval-to-register-for-a-course/

If it is a CS class, contact CS department – cs-ugrad@uic.edu for undergrads; cs-grad@uic.edu for grads.

If it is a MATH/MCS/STAT class – see the question above.

For all other classes, contact the department offering the class.

No. Unlike in the past, all the seats will be released at the beginning of registration and the seat limits are final.

Please note that we are unable to add additional seats to full sections to ensure that class resources are not overextended. Students are responsible for being prepared before registration opens and for identifying alternative courses with available seats in case their first choices are full.