Q: How do I request simultaneous enrollment (taking two classes at the same scheduled or overlapping times)?
A: Contact the professors of both courses (most commonly via email) and obtain informal permission from them first. Then, initiate the request using the new online process with the Office of the Registrar. Instructions can be found here.
Q: How do I request unit overloads?
A: Generally speaking, unit overloads will not be approved unless you have at least a 3.0 GPA in the prior academic term. 19 units and above is considered an overload. Email the department chair (mchao@csusb.edu) first to obtain informal permission. Then, initiate the request using the new online process with the Office of the Registrar. Instructions can be found here.
Q: How do I request pre-requisite overrides or enrollment into a closed course?
A: Contact the professor teaching the course for which you are requesting a pre-requisite override and obtain informal permission first. Then, initiate the request using the new online process with the Office of the Registrar. Instructions can be found here.
Q: How do I drop/add after census?
A: Instructions on how to drop after census are here, and instructions on how to add after census are here.
Q: The quarter-to-semester transition is very confusing. How do I know if I meet course pre-requisites for semester courses?
A: Generally speaking, most semester courses have a corresponding quarter course. For instance, BIOL 3300 Genetics is the same as BIOL 423 Genetics; BIOL 3200 Microbiology is the same as BIOL 320 Microbiology, etc. in the CSUSB Course Bulletin, the semester equivalents do not always have the same pre-requisites as they did under quarters. However, in most cases, as long as you meet quarter pre-requisites (that is, you took the pre-requisite courses under the quarter system), you should be able to enroll in the semester course even if you don't meet the semester requirements.
An example: let's say you took BIOL 300 and CHEM 216 but not organic chemistry yet under quarters. This will make you eligible to take BIOL 3100 Cell Biology (formerly BIOL 300 Cell Physiology), even though the semester pre-requisites for this class include organic chemistry.
Make sure you read the CSUSB Course Bulletin carefully for semester course descriptions!
Q: I have (or I think I have) the correct pre-requisites for a class, because I am a transfer student, but the system is not letting me enroll. What do I do?
A; Contact the department chair (mchao@csusb.edu) for help. Be prepared to show at least an informal transcript from your transfer institution.
Q: I took half of a year-long course at a community college, and I'm transferring to CSUSB now. How do I complete the year-long sequence?
A: In general. this is a bad idea - if you can avoid this by completing one-year course sequences at a single institution, that usually is the best course of action. Contact the department chair (mchao@csusb.edu) for help.
Q: The course I want to enroll in is full. What do I do?
A: For the vast majority of BIOL courses, we do not use the wait list system built-in to the student registration software; the Biology Dept. manages its own wait lists. A link to our online wait list can be found directly near the top right of our Department Home Page. Here is a direct link to the wait list request form.
Q: The course I want to enroll in shows open seats but the system says "department consent required". What do I do?
A: This usually means that the course filled at one point, but students dropped and seats opened up. Once a course fills, the system will automatically make the course "department consent required". This almost always means that if you are still interested in the class you should get on the wait list for the course.
Q: The Biology Dept. online wait list does not show the course in which I wish to enroll. What do I do?
A: Email biology@csusb.edu to request that this course be added to the online wait list request form.
Q: I wish to re-take a course. I have already passed the lab. Do I need to re-take the lab portion of the course again as well?
A: It depends. Different courses have different standards for this. Contact the professor of the course in question directly.
Q: I wish to re-take a course because I am not happy with my grade. What do I do?
A: University policy states that you may not retake a course if you have earned a C or higher. However, you can appeal this to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Q: I wish to re-take a course because it is required for my major, but I have already attempted to pass it twice. What do I do?
A: University policy states that you may not retake a course more than twice. However, you can appeal this to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Q: I'm still confused about what classes I should be taking, or I have additional questions not answered by this FAQ. What do I do?
A: You should talk to an academic advisor ASAP. This could be an advisor at the CNS Professional Advising Center (PAC) or it could be a Biology faculty advisor.