Undergraduate Advising

The Frequently Asked Questions below covers a wide range of common questions on a diverse set of topics. If your question is not in this FAQ, contact the appropriate individual on the Advisor Contact Information list below based on the nature of your inquiry.

The department holds an annual Mathematics Information Session in March and maintains a page of material and links that are discussed at the session.

Frequently Asked Questions - Registration

1. How strictly are prerequisite and registration rules enforced?
   The Mathematics Department generally enforces course prerequisites and faculty-specific academic rules (e.g. BSC and BA students may not repeat a failed course more than once with the exception of first-year calculus which may be repeated twice, nor may they repeat a passed course for higher standing). Students who do not satisfy prerequisites are allowed to register at the Student Service Centre (SSC) with warnings but may be removed from the course later.
   (ID 47)
2. What should I do if all of the sections of a second-or-higher-year course are full?
   Continue trying to register on-line. If you are not successful, come to the registration assistance sessions. The schedule for these sessions will be posted at the Registration Webpage before the start of term.
   (ID 60)
3. What should I do if all of the sections of a first-year course are full?
   Broaden your search to include the equivalent courses (e.g. Math 100, 102, 104, 180, 184 are equivalent, as are Math 101, 103, 105). If after broadening your search, you still have no seat, then register yourself on a wait list. While you are on the wait list, keep checking on-line regularly for an available seat in an open section. If you find one that works for your schedule, register yourself in it immediately and remove yourself from the wait list section. We can't predict when or if room will open up for any course. Soon before the start of term, the Math Department will place wait listed students in a section. If this happens to you, you will not be notified; it is your responsibility to check regularly for this. If you have not been placed into an active section by the department and have not found a seat on your own by the start of classes, please attend a registration assistance session. The schedule for these sessions will be posted at the Registration Webpage before the start of term.
   (ID 59)
4. My add/drop form says I need to get the instructor's permission but my instructor told me to talk to someone else. What should I do?
   Some departments give individual instructors the ability to sign a student into a full section or register in a section despite a prerequisite failure or conflict. In the Mathematics Department, instructors do not have this authority. Contact the Mathematics Department office to find out whether/how you can get permission.
   (ID 32)
5. My registration has been blocked because of an insufficient credit allowance. What should I do?
   If a student is prevented from registering in a course because of an insufficient credit allowance, he or she can contact his or her Faculty with a request for an increase. Departments cannot override credit allowances.
   (ID 33)
6. When can I register for courses?
   Students register for courses in a session starting on a date determined by their year and average. The order is year 1, 4, 3, and 2 for winter sessions, with students with higher averages registering first within each year. The details of registration timing are posted in the Calendar. No one, not even an administrator, can register a student for a course before the student’s registration date. Most students register immediately upon the arrival of their registration date.
   (ID 31)

Disclaimer: In all cases of inconsistencies between this FAQ and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar supersedes the material here.