Editing Scheduling

Class registration at Georgia Tech occurs over multiple phases. In each phase, eligible students will receive a time ticket, which indicates a certain time frame for when students can add and drop classes.<ref name=":0">https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/time-tickets</ref> Check the Registrar's [https://registrar.gatech.edu/calendar academic calendar] for the exact dates of each registration phase.

Phase "AP" is a special registration phase intended for students who have not received their test scores by their FASET date. Phase AP typically occurs in late July, and time tickets are given to ''all'' incoming students who had their FASET before Phase AP. In 2021, all students received the same time ticket except for [[iGniTe]] students, who received earlier time tickets but still at a consistent time.

Phase AP allows students to register for courses that have prerequisites satisfied by AP credit. Students may not register for classes without the proper prerequisites, unless given a prerequisite override.<ref>https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/prerequisite-checks</ref> Students who are eligible for Phase AP should be sure to send their test scores to Georgia Tech so that they are received before students' time tickets open.

==== Phase 2 ====

Phase 2 is the last registration phase for all students, beginning about a week before classes start and ending after the first week of classes. The first week of classes, known as "syllabus week," overlaps with phase 2 registration and gives students an opportunity to drop out of courses without a "W" appearing on their transcripts.<ref name=":1" /><ref group="Note">Students who drop a course after phase 2 registration has ended ''will'' receive a "W" on their transcript for that course.</ref> Typically, professors do not give much work during this week, making this a great time to decide whether to remain in a course based on the syllabus, professor style, etc. As a result, [[waitlists]] tend to move a lot during this phase.

Time tickets in phase 2 are assigned based on completed credit hours, with students who have more credit hours receiving earlier time tickets.<ref name=":0" /> However, earlier time tickets in phase 2 are not as advantageous since spots usually become available due to students dropping courses, and most students are able to get all the classes they need during phase 2, even if they have a rough experience in phase 1 or FASET.

== Course Number ==

The first digit indicates which year the class is typically taken in. Course numbers in the form 1XXX are generally introductory classes, 2XXX are generally introductory technical classes that build on 1XXX classes, 3XXX classes are specific technical material that delve into a particular subset of material from a 2XXX class at a deeper level, and 4XXX classes are generally highly specialized technical classes. Transfer courses on the transfer equivalency table listed as 1XXX, 2XXX, etc. may be used as free electives.

=== Course Reference Number ===

Each section in a course has its own unique identification number, called a "Course Reference Number" (CRN). This number is typically five digits long and is separate from the overall course number. CRNS are primarily used for class registration.<ref name=":2">https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/registration-information</ref>

== Permits, Overrides, and Overloads ==

https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/permits-and-overloads

== Registration Hold ==

Registration holds prevent students from adding and dropping classes during their time ticket. To view registration holds, go to "Registration Status" in OSCAR, select the applicable term, and click "View Holds" at the bottom of the page. If any holds are present, students must complete the given steps or contact the department that gave the hold to clear it. If no holds are present for a student, then they may register for classes during their time ticket.<ref name=":02">https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/holds</ref> Keep in mind that it's important to do this before your registration during FASET if you're a first year, because most likely you will have at least one hold that requires you to sign something.

=== Linked Course ===

=== Testing Period ===

Some classes have a shared test period, such as [[PHYS 2211]] and [[PHYS 2212|2212]]. This shows up in a schedule as a single time block during the week and is usually very late in the day. However, most students will only have 2-5 tests per class, so it will not be used most weeks.

=== Free Electives ===

Free electives can be satisfied by any course, with the exception of equivalent courses. For example, if a student has taken [[MATH 1554]], then they cannot satisfy free elective credit with [[MATH 1564]], and an aerospace engineering student cannot satisfy free elective credit with [[ME 2202]], since they already have to take their version of dynamics, [[AE 2220]].

Some free elective credit is restricted to 2000-level courses and higher, so courses with a number in the form 1XXX cannot satisfy this credit. All requirements can be viewed in Degree Works.

=== Prerequisite Chain ===

A prerequisite chain is a series of courses that must be taken one after another due to prerequisite restrictions on those courses. For example, a common prerequisite chain among engineering majors is PHYS 2211 to PHYS 2212 to [[ECE 3710]] to [[ECE 3741]]. PHYS 2211 must be taken before PHYS 2212, PHYS 2212 must be taken before ECE 3710, etc.

Many majors have particular prerequisite chains that are important to complete as early as possible to graduate on time. For example, [[Electrical Engineering|electrical engineering]] majors should take [[ECE 2040]] and its prerequisites as early as possible. For more information about prerequisite chains in a particular major, consult that major's respective wiki page.

== First-Year Guide ==

=== Scheduling ===

Each department typically sends out information about advising via email before FASET, so students should complete all instructions there first. All incoming students should receive a suggested schedule from their advisor by the end of this process. If not, students can fill out their schedules using the instructions below. These instructions are also applicable for students who already have a suggested schedule, as advisors are just one source of information.

Before determining which classes to take, students should check which credits they already have. This can be done by looking at the classes and requirements checked off in [https://degreeaudit.gatech.edu/ Degree Works]. If a student's test scores or transfer credit have not been received by Georgia Tech yet, the classes and requirements they fulfill will ''not'' show as completed in Degree Works.<ref group="Note">Students should make sure that they sent their scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in order to receive credit. If not, scores should be sent immediately.</ref> This means that should a student attempt to register for classes that have prerequisites satisfied by those credits, OSCAR will display a prerequisite error.<ref>https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/error-messages</ref> If needed, students can request [[Scheduling#Permits, Overrides, and Overloads|prerequisite overrides]] if they already know their scores. Equivalency tables for [https://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/credit-tests-scores/advanced-placement-exams/ AP exams], [https://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/credit-tests-scores/international-baccalaureate-exams/ IB exams], [https://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/credit-tests-scores/a-levels/ A-levels], and [https://admission.gatech.edu/transfer/transfer-credit transfer credit] show which credits may be earned.

After checking completed credits, students should look at their majors' requirements. A selection of [[Scheduling#Resources|resources]] for major requirements and prerequisites is listed on this page. Based on these requirements and prerequisites, students should create a schedule. While 12 is the minimum number of credit hours to be considered a full-time student, any schedule with more than 16 credit hours is not recommended for first-year students, unless they are coming in with no credits.<ref>https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/enrollment-status</ref> 15 credits (about 5 classes) is recommended, but take 12-13 credits (about 4 classes) for a lighter load first semester. In addition, follow the guidelines below:

* ''Never retake courses unless there is an extremely niche reason for doing so.'' While students may not feel comfortable with all the material in courses that they already have credit for, material can always be reviewed, which is a much better option than retaking entire courses. Retaking a course does not guarantee that the material is fully learned, risks the possibility of a low grade, and takes time away from other courses required to graduate.

* Avoid taking a [[chemistry]], [[calculus]], and [[Computer Science|computer science]] class together, as taking all three at once can be a lot of work. A similar guideline applies for math: avoid taking more than 4 credits worth of core math classes at once.

* Labs tend to be very time-consuming, so avoid taking more than one class with a lab section in a semester, with an exception for science majors.

* If possible, take at least one non-STEM class to prevent a difficult semester, but make sure to not take too many. Save some humanities, social sciences, and free electives for more difficult semesters in the future.

* Students should try to take classes that are big prerequisites for their major. For example, computer science majors should take [[CS 1301]] and [[CS 1331]] as early as possible, and mechanical engineering majors should take [[PHYS 2211]] and [[COE 2001]] as early as possible. More specific guides can be found on [[:Category:Majors|major]] wiki pages.

* Be sure to have backup classes, as getting every class with the best professors and times is not always possible.

Finally, students should check their schedule with current students. The Georgia Tech [https://discord.com/invite/gt Discord server] is a great place to do this. Another important point to remember is that Georgia Tech requires no prior knowledge for any major beyond what is learned in high school, ''so there is no need to review or learn any material before classes start.''

=== Registration ===

Class registration at Georgia Tech is done via [https://oscar.gatech.edu/ OSCAR], short for "Online Student Computer Assisted Registration." To access OSCAR, first sign in via the "Secure Access Login" link. Then, click on "Student Services & Financial Aid" followed by "Registration." This page is the registration menu, which provides several helpful links for class registration.

Classes can only be added and dropped during a student's time ticket.<ref name=":0" /> To view time ticket information, click "Registration Status" and select the fall term. In addition, OSCAR will show if a student has [[Scheduling#Registration Hold|registration holds]] or not on this page.

Even though classes can only be added or dropped during students' time tickets, students may view availability for all classes at any time by selecting "Look Up Classes" in the registration menu. The Registrar provides [https://registrar.gatech.edu/registration/registration-assistance information] on how to interpret class data in OSCAR. During a student's time ticket, they will also be able to add and drop courses via these pages.<ref name=":2" />

Another method for class registration is to click "Add/Drop Classes" in the registration menu. [[Scheduling#Course Reference Number|Course Reference Numbers]] (CRNs) can be entered all at once, allowing for quicker registration. Of course, "Add/Drop Classes" can only be used during a time ticket.<ref name=":2" />

* [http://degreeworks.gatech.edu/ Degree Works] is used to evaluate prerequisites and classes required for a student's major. It is used by academic advisors but can be accessed by students as well. While Degree Works is always accurate, other resources may be more user-friendly for checking requirements.

* [https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ore-gt-oscar-registration/pfdlbmjglgajbogcmhcejkfeflnglich Oscar Registration Extension] is a Google Chrome extension that allows users to quickly fill in CRNs on the day of registration. Some users have reported issues with it, however, so be cautious.

* [https://www.gatech.edu/academics/bachelors-degree-programs Requirement lists] are helpful for reviewing the requirements for a major or minor; however, they may not always be updated.

* [https://advising.gatech.edu/4-year-plan-information-students-and-advisors Suggested 4-year plans] typically display prerequisite chains for a major; however, some may be outdated.

To view a course's prerequisites, select the second icon at the top right of a course on the added courses menu. The drop down menu that appears after selecting the icon will have an information icon that links to [https://oscar.gatech.edu/ OSCAR]. OSCAR is the most accurate source for prerequisite information, so it is best to always double check a course's prerequisites on OSCAR. In addition, check OSCAR for additional information about a course or section, such as campus, major, concentration, and LLC restrictions.