What If The Class I Need is Full?

Registration and Waitlist Information for Undergraduate Courses

  • Biology 1101, 1102, 1110, 1113, 1114, 1113H, 1114H, 2100, and 3401 are limited by lab or recitation space.
  • When enrolling in a Biology course, the lab/recitation is the unit of enrollment.  Once enrolled in the lab/recitation, you are automatically enrolled in the associated lecture.  If you are waitlisted for the lab/recitation, you are not enrolled in the lecture and will not have access to the course in Carmen.
  • We will not enroll students over the limit set for each lab/recitation.
  • Buckeye Link will allow you to waitlist only one section at a time. Continue to check and see if another lab/recitation section that fits your schedule has open seats while you are on a waitlist. This will help increase your chances of enrolling in a course.
  • If you are enrolled in a lab section and on the waitlist for another section, BuckeyeLink will skip you for the waitlisted lab section because you are already enrolled in the course.
  • New lab or recitation sections may be opened throughout the registration period. Keep checking online for additional sections that may work with your schedule.
  • All waitlists for lab and recitation sections will be inactive at 5pm on the first Friday of the semester. At that time, if you are not enrolled in a section, you must contact the course coordinator of the class in which you are interested (see the people page) to be enrolled in an open seat. Any open seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.  We will not enroll  over the limit for the section, and you will not be added to a course in which you've missed more than one lab/recitation meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where do I get permission to enroll in a Biology course?

    Only course coordinators are able to give permission to enroll in a Biology course (e.g. waive prerequisite requirements). The lecturer and TA of the class cannot give enrollment permission. Course coordinators' offices are located in the 255 suite in Jennings Hall.

  2. Can I get permission to get into a full Biology lab/recitation?

    No. Section capacity is limited by room space. However, you should join a waitlist so that the  staff knows there is an interest for more lab seats. Remember Buckeye Link will only allow you to waitlist one specific lab section at a time. Continue checking to see if alternate lab sections have open seats that may work with your schedule as more lab sections may open throughout the registration period due to flux of student schedules.

    If you are not enrolled in a class by the first Friday of the semester, you must contact the course coordinator of the class in which you are interested (see the people page) to be enrolled in an open seat. Any open lab seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

  3. Can I get permission to switch into a full Biology lab/recitation?

    No. Section capacity is limited by room space. Keep checking course availability online in case a seat opens up in a different section that you would prefer. If it does, you will need to swap your current section in order to enroll in the new section. Make sure all components of the new section fit your schedule before you drop your current section. Your academic advisor can assist you with this process.

  4. What should I do while I am waiting to enroll in a course after the semester starts?

    You are strongly encouraged to attend the lectures that fit your schedule for the first week of the semester, even if you are not registered for the course. You may attend the lab/recitation section without being enrolled only if you are #1 or #2 on the waitlist for that section.  However, if space is not available in the room, the instructor may not permit you to stay if not officially enrolled.

  5. What should I do if I am enrolled into a class after my lab/recitation meets for the first time?

    Email your TA to request a makeup exercise for the first week's activities. You can find your TA's contact information on Carmen.

  6. What should I do if I am enrolled in a class after the start of the semester and have NOT missed my first lab/recitation?

    Go directly to your scheduled class. No additional action is required.

  7. What should I do if I want to switch sections and classes have already begun?

    Attend the lectures, and lab/recitation of the section in which you are enrolled during the first week to avoid getting behind on the course material. Keep checking online for available seats in your preferred section through the first week to see if something opens up.  The course coordinator can assist you with switching into another section if one becomes available.

    Follow one of the below courses of action to switch sections:

  • If you are able to change sections yourself and the lab has not met yet, you should attend the new lab the first time it meets. No other actions are required.

  • If you are able to change sections yourself and the lab has already met, email your TA to request a makeup exercise for the first week's activities by the end of the first week. You can find your TA's contact information on Carmen.

  • If you haven't been able to switch by Friday night of the first week of the semester, you should contact a course coordinator to make the switch for you.

   8.  If the instructor says it's OK to get into his/her class, can I enroll into it?

No. Professors, lecturers, and TA’s cannot give you permission to enter Biology courses. You must contact a course coordinator to acquire permission.

   9.  What if I want to switch lecture and lab (e.g. from one Bio 1114 lecture to another)?

You may be able to make this switch between lectures during the first couple of weeks of the semester if the two lectures are following a similar lab sequence. Contact the the course coordinator for your class to set up a meeting to discuss the feasability of this switch.  Remember, you can only make a switch to another course if there is space in a lab or recitation.