CSS Registration

This page explains how to register for courses offered by the Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS), which are required for Applied Computing, Computer Science & Software Engineering (CSSE), Computer Engineering (CE), and several other undergraduate majors and minors.

  1. How do I register?
  2. When do I register?
  3. Resolve registration issues
  4. Special registrations (Capstone, Internship, Independent Study, Research)
  5. Registration request form

How do I register?

  1. Meet with your academic adviser early to create your long-term academic plan.
  2. Know your registration date. Registration begins at 6:00 a.m. PST. on your registration date.
  3. Complete the pre-registration steps before your registration date each quarter.
  4. Use MyPlan to build your schedule and register each quarter.
  5. Audit your degree(s) after registration to confirm everything counts correctly. Click “Refresh Audit”

When do I register?

Registration timeline

Please note that each course and/or section may have a specific set of restrictions. We recommend reviewing the notes of each course to learn more.

  • All Periods:
  • Registration Period I:
    • CSS majors (Applied Computing, CSSE, Computer Engineering) can register for most CSS courses.
    • Majors that require CSS courses can register for those specific courses.
  • Registration Period II:
    • Most CSS courses become available to students in any major or CSS minor (not Pre-Major or non-matriculated students).
  • Registration Period III:
    • Most 100-level and 200-level CSS courses become available to all students (including Pre-Major and non-matriculated students) as long as there is still space.
    • Other important registration considerations
      • CSS 301 (Technical Writing): Attendance to the first class session is mandatory. After this, we cannot register you even if seats become vacant.
      • CSS 496 and 497 capstone courses – Registration only permitted through the first Friday of the quarter, but it is strongly recommended to register prior to the first day of class.
      • 300-400 level courses are not open to premajor or extended premajor students.

Resolve registration issues

Course is full / needs add code

  • There is no longer a waitlist for full CSS courses. If a course section is full, please use the Seat Availability Notification system to sign up for alerts for space availability. Also, we recommend in cases where all sections are full, to check the schedule periodically in the rare case that additional sections are added.
  • CSS 198, 199, 397, 495, 496, 497, 498, or 499: Read about special registrations.
  • We urge you to register for backup courses while you are waiting.

Repeating courses

If you have taken a CSS core class twice before and plan to attempt it a third time, you may need to petition. Review the repeat petition information to determine if this applies to you.

If you need to retake a class for the second time or if it is not a CSS core course, email cssadv@uw.edu for assistance. Please check that you are eligible to enroll in this class during the current registration period, before contacting us.

Prerequisite errors

If you are experiencing an issue with your registration due to prerequisite errors, please contact your academic adviser for assistance.

Special registrations

Applied Computing Capstone (CSS 496)

CSSE Capstone (CSS 497)

Review the CSSE Capstone webpage for detailed information about registration.

CSSE Internship, Independent Study, or Research

  • Special arrangement. CSS 198, 199, 397, 495, 498, and 499 are arranged by you and a faculty member. They usually do not have a set meeting time or location like regular courses.
  • Variable credits and grading. These courses can vary between 1 or more credits. You can often choose between credit that is graded (4.0-scale) or ungraded (CR/NC). Unlike ‘S’ (Satisfactory) grades, ‘CR’ grades can always fulfill degree requirements the same way that graded credit can. Read more about undergraduate grading.
  • Registration. Follow these steps:
    1. Visit our faculty page and reach out to a few faculty that you have either worked with before (recommended) or that you share academic/research/professional interests with. You can click on their name to view their profile or personal website for more information.
    2. Complete the contract form with your faculty members’ help and send it to: