Student Resources

Course Registration

Below you will find instructions for registering for MPCS classes for current MPCS students. 

Important Links and Websites

General University Links

MPCS Course Information

Advising and Support

 

MPCS Pre-Registration Course Selection Process

Pre-registration is the MPCS bidding system for ranking your class choices.

Access the MPCS Pre-Registration Website

Pre-registration allows MPCS students to bid for spaces in classes they want to take before registration opens. Instructions for pre-registration:

  • Pre-registration usually takes place in week 5 of the quarter, ahead of the graduate student registration period in week 8.
  • All MPCS students should complete the pre-registration survey, regardless of the classes you plan to take. Knowing student interest in classes allows us to better plan for rooms, class support, and make adjustments based on enrollment, when possible.
  • Many MPCS classes fill from pre-registration. These classes will not be available for registration during the graduate student registration period – they will be filling from a waitlist.
  • The ranking of classes in the pre-registration survey is important. The system will prioritize top choices first. 
  • The system will ask how many total classes you want to take, then you list all the classes you are interested in taking in rank order. You should list more classes than you want to take, the system will only place you into the total number of classes you want to take.
  • If you do not list more classes than you want to take, you run the risk of being under-enrolled if your top choices are not available.
  • If there is a class you must take to fulfill a graduation requirement, you should rank it high, even if there are other classes you want to get into. If a required class fills, there is no guarantee you will get a space even if you must take it to graduate.
  • Pre-registration is non-binding, changes can be made during the graduate student registration period.

Registration for MPCS Classes

Graduate Student Registration Period

  • Registration takes place in week 8 of the current quarter for each quarter except for Autumn. Autumn registration takes place the week before the quarter begins. Published registration dates can be found on the University Registrar’s website.
  • Registration takes place in the student portal.
  • Approved registrations from MPCS pre-registration will be added to the student portal ahead of the official graduate registration period. These registrations are based on pre-registration rankings. If you missed the pre-registration period or need to change or add classes, you will be able to register for classes during the registration period.
  • Waitlists will be available for MPCS classes that are filled from pre-registration. Waitlists can be found on the MPCS Waitlist Site.
  • Students not registered during the registration period and registered for a course after the conclusion of the registration period will be charged a late registration fee ($100)

Registration Timeline

  • Week 1: Students may add/drop/swap classes on their own in the student portal during the first week of the quarter. Waitlisted students will be contacted as spots become available.
  • Week 2: Confirm your registrations in the student portal and make sure everything looks correct.
    • Any changes to your registration will need to be made by the MPCS administration through the MPCS Registration Form:
    • Waitlisted students still may be contacted as spots become available.
    • Students may request to register or drop a course using the registration form.
    • Students who drop a course will receive a 100% tuition refund and the course would be removed from their transcript.
    • Students may add a course if they attended all class sessions and received written approval from the instructor.
    • This is the last week students can add a class to their schedule.
    • If you drop your only class, you will be responsible for the Student Service fee.
  • Week 3: This is the last opportunity to drop classes for a 100% tuition refund.
    •  If you drop your only class, you will be responsible for the Student Service fee.
    • No classes can be added after week 2.
  • Weeks 4 – 10: Dropping a class incurs 100% tuition responsibility and results in a “W” on your transcript.
    • Drops must be submitted prior to the due date of the final project or prior to the final exam.
    • Students should use the MPCS Registration Form to drop a class.

Waitlisted Classes

Each quarter a waitlist is established for courses with requests that exceed the class enrollment limit. Waitlists for classes that are filled during pre-registration will open during the registration period. Additional courses may be put on waitlists as they fill.

To add your name to a waitlist, please visit the MPCS Waitlist Site.

Guidelines for MPCS waitlists:

  • Waitlists for MPCS classes are managed by the MPCS Administration.
  • Please do NOT reach out to individual instructors about registration or open spots. They will redirect you to the CS Waitlist.
  • Please do NOT write to the Waitlist to inquire about your standing on any given waitlist. 
    • We do not release information about waitlist standings as they are fluid and can change rapidly.
  • Additional waitlist information and instructions can be found on the MPCS Waitlist Site.

Requesting Approval for Non-MPCS Classes

All requests for non-MPCS classes must be submitted through the Course Request Form for Non-MPCS Classes.

  • Requests must be sent before the quarter begins and you must have the program’s approval before you can register for the class. Requests sent after the quarter has started will not be considered.
  • No previous coursework prior to entering the MPCS will be considered towards your degree.
  • Students must be in good academic standing to receive approval for outside classes. Students on academic probation will not receive approval for outside coursework.

  • You must earn a letter grade above a C+ in any course taken outside the Masters Program in Computer Science for it to count towards your degree requirements. Pass/Fail grades are not allowed.

  • Masters Program in Computer Science Program Policies do not apply to courses outside the MPCS. Different administrative units may have additional policies you must follow.

Guidelines for Non-MPCS Coursework

As part of the MPCS degree, students may request to take the following types of classes outside of the MPCS:

 

Computer Science Coursework (CMSC/TTIC)

Non-Computer Science Coursework

  • MPCS may request to take up to two (2) graduate level courses from other graduate departments, divisions and schools (e.g., Statistics, Booth School of Business).
  • If approved, classes outside of CS usually count as elective classes. Approval to take the class will indicate what the course may fulfill towards your MPCS graduation requirements.
  • Approval for non-CS courses is only given once at least three core classes have been taken in the program.
  • For each course outside of the CS department, you will need to show that you have met the prerequisites for the course, have instructor approval, and, clearly outline why this class is beneficial to your career plans.
  • Classes at the Booth School of Business are not allowed in your graduating quarter.

Information for Bx/MS Students

Bx/MS students should follow the pre-registration instructions above. Approved pre-registrations will be entered for Bx/MS students ahead of the graduate student registration period.

For all Bx/MS student registration questions, please contact Jessica Garza.

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