REGISTRATION RESOURCE

& PREPARATION GUIDE

presented by

CAMPUS LIFE & ENGAGEMENT

If you have any questions about the content in this guide,

please contact us at [email protected] or 514-398-6913
 Disclaimer
All academic questions need to be directed to
your specific Faculty Student Affairs Office.

Particularities may apply to each program

Find your advisors here:

www.mcgill.ca/students/advising/advisordirectory
 Great starting point
McGill’s “I’ve Been Accepted” website and the
“Preparing to Register” section
http://www.mcgill.ca/accepted/preparing-register
UNIVERSITY 101
HOW WE WORK
 TERMS/SEMESTERS

Fall Exams: December 7 – 20, 2016

Winter Break: December 21 – January 3, 2017
Reading Week: February 27 – March 3, 2017
Winter Exams: April 13 – 28, 2017
 ADD/DROP PERIOD
• Add/Drop refers to the first two weeks
(approximately) at the start of each semester where
students can change their class schedule by either
adding and/or removing classes

• Visit www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/drop/adddrop for more

details

• Add/Drop dates
– Fall Semester: Tuesday, September 20
– Winter Semester: Tuesday, January 17
 TERMS/SEMESTERS
Most programs do not require students to register in
the Summer term.
Not all courses are offered in the summer
Do not make holiday plans until the final exam schedule
is posted
– You will receive your exam schedule in early to mid-
October (Fall term) / mid-February (Winter term)
– Trips or holidays are not valid grounds for deferral
FACULTIES, SCHOOLS & DEPARTMENTS
 FACULTIES, SCHOOLS & DEPARTMENTS

McGill has 11 faculties, each headed by a Dean

Faculties are divided into schools or departments.

Professional Schools are part of a Faculty but offer

more intense, specialized programs usually leading to a
professional career.

Departments are devoted to a particular area of study

 DEGREE PROGRAMS VS. PROFESSIONAL DEGREES

- A degree program is more general in scope and offers more flexibility in course selection
- A professional degree is often affiliated with a specific professional order. There is less
flexibility offered in the course selection of a professional degree
- Engineering has characteristics of both a degree program and a professional degree
 SCHOOLS & FACULTIES

Some Schools may be affiliated with more than one Faculty

e.g. The McGill School of Environment falls under three faculties
Some Faculties may have more than one school
e.g. the Faculty of Medicine has three schools.
 MAJOR, MINOR, & HONOURS
Example: Cultural
Studies
Example: Music &
Women’s Studies

Major: Primary area of study

Minor: Area of secondary concentration
Honours: Involves a higher degree of specialization
• Honours has additional requirements, including GPA requirements
• You can only be admitted to the Honors program after U1, but you need to follow the
program requirements beforehand.
• It varies by Faculty and/or department so speak to an academic advisor early if you are
interested in pursuing this program.
COURSES
 Courses
Required Courses:
– Courses that must be completed to fulfill the program requirements unless the student
receives exemption
– e.g AP credits.
– Students have no choices among required courses.
– Pass with a C (55%) or higher

Complementary Courses:
– A set of alternative courses that can be taken to fulfill the requirements of a major, minor, etc.
– Students choose a specified number of courses from the set and allows for some “interest”
courses.
– Pass with a C (55%) or higher

Electives:
– Courses that do not count toward the fulfillment of the requirements of a major, minor, etc.
– They are often, but need not be (and some Faculties do not permit this), selected from
outside a student’s program of study.
– Always consult an academic advisor.
– Pass with a D (50%) or higher.
 Courses
Prerequisite:
– A prerequisite is a course that must taken and passed before being allowed to take another
course.
– Course A is prerequisite to course B if a satisfactory pass in course A is required for admission
to course B.

Co-requisite:
– This is when two courses are taken at the same time (concurrently).
– Course A is co-requisite to course B if course A must be taken concurrently with (or may have
been taken prior to) course B
 NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENT

Degree Program = 120 (U0) or 90 Credits (U1)

OR
Professional Degree = 150 credits

If you are unsure, Verify on Minerva by following the steps below:

It is important to note that CEGEP credits, AP, IB, transfer credits,

etc., may not appear on Minerva records before July.
 THE 90/120 CREDIT DEGREE
If you are U0 If you are U1
120 credits ÷ 4 years 90 credits ÷ 3 years
= 30 credits per year = 30 credits per year

30 credits
÷ 2 semesters
= 15 credits per
semester

15 credits ÷ 3 credits per class = 5 classes per semester*

*There are exceptions where in some
Faculties/Schools 6 courses are the norm
 PART TIME VS FULL TIME
12 credits or more: Full- time student
11 credits or less: Part-time students
– Being a part-time student can have serious implications for
your student loans, your scholarships, your visa, your
employment on campus and your access to services.
– Consult an Advisor if you need help

That being said, many new student to university will take 4 courses in their first
semester to get a feel for the University workload. While that is certainly a
possibility, register for 5 to start and see how things are going. By the end of
Add/Drop, you can drop one of your courses - but make sure you can take it in
the Winter or that it isn’t a pre-requisite.
 COURSE LOAD
Each course taken is assessed on the basis of a certain number of credits.
Each course is assigned a credit rating reflecting the number of weekly
contact hours (including class and lab time).
Generally,
• One semester courses = 3 credits
• Full-year/2-semester courses = 6 credits

Some Science classes are worth 4 credits and normally have a mandatory lab
and/or tutorial component.
 TYPES OF ACADEMIC ADVISING
Faculty Advisor
• Faculty Student Affairs Office
• Ensure you are on track to graduate

Peer Advisors
For Arts and Engineering

Departmental / School Advisors

Help you plan your major/minor/honours
program

Professors / Lecturers
Informal advice – recommend courses or interests

www.mcgill.ca/students/advising/advisordirectory/
 Student Portals

MyCourses
– Receive documents from
professors
– submit assignments
– consult a class list
– (usually) obtain your marks for
assignments and exams
throughout the semesters

https://mycourses2.mcgill.ca/
 Student Portals

Minerva: where you can

access information about
– your personal file
– your transcript
– your tuition
– registration
– much more!
https://www.mcgill.ca/minerva
 PREFERRED NAME
The university recognizes that as a community many of
its members use first names other than their legal
first names to identify themselves. Students can add a
preferred name to their record using Minerva. Your
preferred name will then appear on your Student ID
card and other university documentation.

Go to Minerva
Select “Personal Menu”
Select “Name Change”
Enter your Preferred
First Name
 Student Portals

1. Find your McGill username (usually [email protected])

• create your password on Minerva

2. Sign in to www.outlook.com/mcgill.ca

1. Make sure to check this email regularly or forward it to one you do check often!
It is McGill’s official means of communication with you, meaning many McGill
professors and staff will only correspond with that email.
 PUTTING YOUR BEST
FOOT FORWARD
ACADEMIC DATES, REGISTRATION REMINDERS, AND ADVICE
 THE COURSE IDENTIFIER

ABCD – Subject Code

• Indicates the department/unit offering the course
123 – Course Number
• Refers to the course itself, with the first numeral
indicating the level of the course
• U0 register for mostly 100 to 300 level courses
• U1 register for mostly 200 to 300 level courses
• 500 levels are intended to be a graduate level

THE ALPHABET – Course Name

 MULTI-TERM COURSES
Multi-term courses terminology
• D1/D2: Courses taught in 2 consecutive terms
• N1/N2: Courses taught in 2 non-consecutive
terms
• J1/J2/J3: Courses taught in 3 consecutive terms
• These symbols can be found in both the PDF
version and the eCalendar.

Always be sure to read course descriptions on Minerva carefully

making sure to note those courses that are taught only in
alternate years or those that require departmental approval.
 WHEN TO REGISTER
Check the I’ve Been Accepted website for your registration
dates:
• mcgill.ca/accepted/preparing-register/when-register
• On this date, you register for your Fall and Winter classes

Minerva opens at 9:00 a.m. on the first day registration opens

– May be difficult to log in during the first hour
• Don’t worry. Keep trying! Refresh !

Register for one class by the deadline of August 14 to avoid a

late fee.
 WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
STEP 1: Get informed

• Visit www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/plan/advisor
 WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
STEP 2 : Prepare to register
• Consult the E-calendar for a list
of required and complementary
classes for your degree

www.mcgill.ca/study/2016-2017

• For students in Arts, Integrated Arts & Science,

Education, Engineering, Management and Science
students only: update your primary Curriculum
• Minerva >> Student Records Menu >> Change
Your Primary Curriculum (1st degree)
 WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
STEP 3: Create a class schedule
• To register for your classes, you will need a CRN or
Course Reference Number (1 CRN per class, lab or
seminar).
• The CRN correspond to a specific class, at a specific
time, in a specific section

You can do this by:

• Option A: Using Minerva
• Option B: Using the Visual Schedule Builder (VSB)
 WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
• Option A: Using Minerva
• Go to » Minerva » Step 2: Search Class Schedule
and Add Course Sections
• Write down the CRN for your desired classes
 WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
Option B: Using the Visual Schedule Builder (VSB)
– the VSB is a tool to help your register for your classes
– Minerva is the only website where you can register for
your classes
– It is possible a class is indicated as “Full” on the VSB until
your registration opens
Option B: Using the Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) https://vsb.mcgill.ca/

View class
information
View Alternate
including
Schedules with
professors and
these classes
location

Obtain a CRN for

each classes
 WHAT TO REGISTER FOR
STEP 4: Registration
Visit https://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/add/register/

Once you click on “Submit Changes” you can see a record of each
course you have successfully registered for.

Minerva will NOT prevent you from registering for courses that
have conflicting times. It is very important that you verify this
information yourself.

Minerva will NOT verify that you are taking courses that fulfill
the requirements of your program. It is also important that you
use the UG calendar to see what these requirements are AND speak
with an advisor!
 VIEW YOUR FINAL SCHEDULE

> Student Menu

>> Registration Menu

>>> Step 5: Personal

Weekly Class
Schedule
 REGISTRATION REMINDERS
Class Schedule, a few elements to consider:
• Add/Drop deadline each semester to finalize your schedule
• Travel time between classes
• Many classes are offered only in one semester per year
• Make sure you know where your classes are located using McGill
Building Codes.

Placement tests
• For French as a Second Language Courses:
– https://www.mcgill.ca/flc/registration/placement-tests
• For English as a Second Language Courses:
– www.mcgill.ca/mwc/courses/placement-tests

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) option

• Only for electives
• Does not apply for all Faculties
• More details: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/plan/s-u
 WHY CAN’T I REGISTER?
- Course may be full and waitlist is not available (not all courses use
waitlist)

- You are missing a co-requisite or pre-requisite

- Ensure you register for co-requisites together
- You may need to complete the pre-requisite before you can take the (or get permission
to take the pre-requisite as a co-requisite).
- Placement tests can also be a pre-requisite (ex: language courses)

- You do not have permission for that course

- Some courses are restricted by program (check your primary curriculum)
- Speak with an advisor to get permission (if possible)
- http://www.mcgill.ca/students/advising/advisordirectory

- Reminder: Minerva will NOT prevent you from registering for courses that
have a time conflict, nor will it ensure you are fulfilling your program
requirements.
 MORE TIPS!
If you plan on studying abroad/going on exchange, the best time do so is the
year before your graduating year. It is suggested to start planning for it as of U1.

Prepare more than one schedule ahead of your registration date

A class may not be offered every year

Remember, you can always take a summer course

Add/Drop period is when many full courses will see openings

Change is possible!
• Course Registration
• Majors/Minors
• Inter-Faculty Transfers

Get involved!
• Athletics, Clubs, Student Services, Undergraduate Societies
• Workshops and Resources: www.mcgill.ca/engage
 OTHER RESOURCES
• Minerva:
– Minerva Help Line, Service Point: 514-398-7878
– They can help identify why you can’t register

• Your Advisors: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/advising/advisordirectory

– They can help you determine which classes you need!

• Courses and Programs : www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/

– Access E-Calendar
– Step by step videos on registrations
– Program Calendar
– Important dates

• Campus Life and Engagement

– Brown Student Services Building, 3600 McTavish Street, Suite 3100
– 514-398-6913 or [email protected]
 TUITION PAYMENT
Check Minerva for your Fall Term e-bill
A notification is sent to your McGill email in early August.

Tuition for the Fall Term is due August 31st

Check your balance on Minerva.

Check the Student Accounts’ website for payment methods!

www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts

Need financial help? Connect with the Scholarships & Student (Financial)
Aid Office (www.mcgill.ca/studentaid)
In person, at 3600 McTavish, Suite 3200
By phone, at 514-398-6013
 STUDENT ID
Once you’ve registered for a class & waited
24 hours, you can get your McGill ID card!

Just go to Service Point, 3415 McTavish Street,

with the required documents.
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/records/id

Macdonald Campus students can also go to Laird Hall.

 Thank you and good luck!
Remember to either stop by Campus Life & Engagement,
give us a call, or send an email if you need help!

Web: www.mcgill.ca/firstyear
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (514) 398-6913