Labs & Tutorials

You should register for lab or tutorial sections in the same way that you register for your courses.  Here are some common registration concerns.

I'm registered for the lecture, but all labs/tutorials that fit my schedule are full

Keep trying to register in a lab/tutorial that fits your schedule. As registration goes on, students will likely add and drop sections, so spaces will open up. The department will ensure that there are enough lab/tutorial seats available for the number of students registered in the course. There is no guarantee that these seats will fit your preferred time.  You may need to change your registration in other courses to get access to a lab/tutorial where there are available seats.

If you cannot find a seat by the first few days of the term, please talk to your course coordinator, if there is one. If not, talk to your instructor.

DO NOT do the following, as we will not respond to these requests (we simply get too many of the following requests, and our staff need to focus on more urgent matters):

  • Submit a registration webform
  • Email undergrad-info
  • Approach student advisors or departmental administrators/assistants

Depending on the course, if you cannot get yourself scheduled into a lab or tutorial with space, you may need to withdraw from the course. You must have a lab that fits your schedule to continue with the course.  Please note that you cannot schedule a lab or tutorial section for the same time that you're supposed to be in another class.

I want to change my lab/tutorial section

If your preferred lab/tutorial section is full, periodically keep checking the SSC and trying to register for it, as a spot may become available.  Some students (e.g., 5-15%) drop the course early in the term.

Should I attend only my registered lab section?

You must go to the lab in which you are registered. As far as tutorials are concerned, there is more flexibility, and often you can attend any tutorial, provided that spaces are available. Please consult your instructor to be sure.

What if my first lab/tutorial date occurs before the first lecture?

For most of our winter session courses, labs and tutorials do not occur before the first lecture, or during the first week of classes. However, CPSC 110 and 210 labs begin during the first week of classes and they may begin before your first lecture. Also, many summer session courses may have labs during the first week (because the summer terms are so short). Check with your instructor if you are not sure.