University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

A comprehensive list of links to resources for course information is available from Advising @ PSU. Courses are offered through several delivery systems: resident instruction (classroom and Web courses), Continuing Education, and World Campus (formerly Distance Education/Independent Learning).

Scheduling Restrictions
Considerations When Planning a Schedule
Time Management
Registration

SCHEDULING RESTRICTIONS

A student may register for any course listed in the Schedule of Courses EXCEPT:

1. A course that requires prerequisite or concurrent course(s) as indicated in the course descriptions in the Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin.
2. A course that essentially duplicates the content of a course already taken for credit (unless it is appropriate to repeat).
3. A course that is full. (Priority may be given to students with higher semester standing, those for whom the course is a requirement, students enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College, and others with special needs.)
4. A course that is under departmental control in order to reserve space for a specific population.
5. 400-level courses, which are reserved for students beyond fourth-semester standing or those with special permission. For policies and procedures, see Course Numbering System.
6. 500-level courses, which are designed for graduate students and described in the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin. However, it is possible for undergraduates in certain circumstances to schedule 500-level courses. For policies and procedures, see Course Numbering System.
7. When admission would violate legal, Department of Defense, or special fund agreements.

A student who inappropriately schedules a course with restrictions may be disenrolled from the course. Before disenrolling a student from a course, the instructor must notify the student of this action in writing during the drop/add period for the semester or session (Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, C-5).

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PLANNING A SCHEDULE

1. Student placements in English, mathematics, and chemistry (as indicated on the Profile of Academic Abilities and in the FTCAP Scores application on eLion) and foreign language.
2. Student's selection of major. Consider University, college, major, option, and emphasis requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin and in General Education in the Curriculum, as well as in college and departmental program guides and semester-by-semester plans. A student's degree audit is helpful in determining unfulfilled requirements.
3. Student interests and goals. When appropriate, consider combining a major with a minor or an additional major or incorporating education abroad.
4. Student's background, characteristics, and current circumstances. Consider a student's academic preparation, strengths, weaknesses, life style, work schedule, extracurricular demands, physical disability, or emotional status (see Auditing/Visiting a Course; Credit/Credit Load; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading System; Time Management).
5. Course demands. Different courses present different demands on the student, e.g., the amount of reading, writing, computing, or memorizing necessary, as well as the laboratory and studio time required. A well-planned schedule should balance the kinds of work demanded. Students may be able to learn more about a course by contacting the course instructor or department.
6. Course characteristics. Different courses offer different instructional environments. Even the same course may differ in format by section and/or delivery system. Students should consider which course characteristics are most effective in helping them to learn: e.g., large class, small class, or online; lecture or discussion; scheduled meeting times or self-paced; traditional or technology-intensive; and types of projects, papers, and/or exams. Students may be able to learn more about a course by contacting the course instructor or department. Course suffixes serve as guides to some course characteristics (e.g., H is honors, W is writing).
7. Credits that the student earned or plans to earn by other means, such as transfer from another school, Advanced Placement, College-Level Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, or Credit for Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces.
8. Course availability and prerequisites. Some courses are not offered every semester, and some courses require special academic preparation. A tentative, long-range plan should be established to allow for prerequisites and to accommodate courses offered less frequently (contact the department offering the course to determine availability).
9. Special-credit requirements for some programs and agencies (see Credit/Credit Load).

TIME MANAGEMENT

When planning for a semester/session, students should consider demands both in and outside of class. A grid for planning a weekly schedule can help students to evaluate their use of time. The University Learning Centers provide tips for learning time management skills.

REGISTRATION

For detailed instructions on scheduling courses, see Registration.

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.

This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.

Last Update: August 2007