Understanding the Class Schedule

Key elements of the Class Search

Classes at UCSC are often referred to using their subject code and course number. For example, the course MATH 21, Linear Algebra is searchable under Subject Code MATH and/or Course Number 21.

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Status: The default status is for “open” classes only (classes with seats immediately available for enrollment). To widen your search parameters and planning, select “All Classes”.

• Once classes and secondary sections reach their maximum capacity, they will appear as either Closed or Waitlisted.
• If there is space in the lecture, but you cannot find an open section, you cannot enroll in the class.
• If you have a permission number for the lecture and all the sections are full, contact the department offering the course.

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Subject: Selects the “subject code” for the course. These are usually affiliated with an academic department or program. For example, to find the class PSYC 1, select “Psychology” from the drop-down menu.

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Course Number: Some students elect to choose classes by level, for example filtering for lower-division courses (courses numbered “less than or equal to 99”). You can also search for just the number of the course you are looking for, to look for a specific option.

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General Education (GE): UCSC offers a number of courses each quarter that satisfy general education requirements. You can search by a specific code, or all GE requirements.

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Course units: Most academic classes confer units (often also called credits) toward graduation. The most common unit value is five credits. Physical Education courses do not confer units.

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Instructional Modalities: UCSC’s primary modality for instruction is in person, but courses can also be offered in online and hybrid online/in-person modalities. To learn more about UCSC’s approved instructional modalities, please see UCSC Instruction Modes. Students can filter and sort by modality using the Class Search.

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Class Numbers: Every scheduled course has a five-digit class number which is used for enrollment. The class number appears on the detailed results of the MyUCSC Class Search or on Independent Study forms.

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Secondary Sections: a secondary section is a smaller discussion, lab, or studio which is taken as part of a larger course, but does not confer additional credit. Secondary sections/labs are listed below the main lecture in Class Search, and are usually taught by teaching assistants. Not all classes require enrollment in a secondary section. (Secondary sections also have class numbers.)

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Enrollment Requirements: Many classes have requirements or restrictions that must be satisfied before enrollment.

• Prerequisites: A class that has a prerequisite means that other courses must be completed or a placement exam must be satisfied before the course can be taken. Classes for which a C-, D+, D, D-, F, NP, W,” or “I” is received do not satisfy prerequisite requirements.
• Corequisite courses must be taken concurrently. In most cases students should enroll in both classes during the same enrollment transaction. Once waitlisting is running, some corequisite combinations are turned off, and students may need to add one course and then another. For most classes, students should enroll in the lab first and then add the lecture class.
• Restrictions: Classes can be restricted to students in specific programs, class levels, or categories.
• Transfer credit: college–level credit taken outside UCSC, once articulated, should satisfy prerequisites, but in some cases may not have conferred the direct credit needed to allow enrollment. If you believe course work completed at another institution satisfies a prerequisite, contact the department sponsoring the class.

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Instructor Consent: The course description may indicate that a course requires instructor consent (permission number) for enrollment. This is common for courses that require application or audition. To enroll in one of these classes, obtain a permission number from the instructor or department.

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Grading Option: The default grade type for UCSC courses, unless otherwise noted, is letter grade. Undergraduates in good academic standing may choose to take grades for the Pass / No Pass option, either at enrollment or through the grade change deadline (see Term Dates & Deadlines). For more information about Grade types and policies, please see the General Catalog: Evaluating Academic Performance.