Registration FAQs for Computer Science Students
Here are some of the questions we often receive from undergraduate and graduate CS students.
Admissions-Related Questions
Answer:
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.
Answer
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
Answer:
They will be advertised after open registration. Refer to the time ticket schedule for these dates.
Answer:
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.
Waitlists expire after the first Sunday of the semester. If any seats become available during the 2nd week of add/drop period, they will be first come first serve in terms of registration via the XE registration portal.
Answer:
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.
A required class in my concentration is full, and I need to take it in Spring 2025 to graduate on time; what should I do?
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 Spring 2025 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.
Answer:
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.
Answer:
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.
Answer:
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.
I am an international student and have to maintain full-time enrollment. What are the requirements?
Consult the Office of International Service page.
Answer:
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.
I am an undergraduate and want to go over the maximum 18 credit hours per semester. What should I do?
More than 18 semester hours is considered an overload and students must seek approval by filing a petition form from COE Student Resources page.
Answer:
Check via transferology if the class is transferable. Submit “Approval to take course outside of UIC” with the college of engineering.
Answer:
Submit request for access to these classes on their website.
Answer
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.
I am an undergraduate student and do not meet the prerequisite of a course I wish to take.
Prerequisites are strictly enforced and have to be met in order to stay registered in the course. Prerequisites violations are check after add/drop period and you likely will be dropped from the class with a “W” that will count against the 4-Ws allowed for undergraduate students. If you have further questions, you can reach out to cs-ugrad@uic.edu.
Answer
No. 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.