We are here to support you through your academic journey. Please read the following information carefully.
Registration Dos and Don’ts
Do
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Don’t
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- Read the FAQs before sending us an email or scheduling a meeting
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- Email us multiple times regarding the same question within one week
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- Check your registration time
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- Schedule separate meetings with different advisors to ask the same question
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- Have some classes in mind that you would like to take
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- Schedule back-to-back appointment slots
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- Register for classes the same day that your appointment slot opens
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- Wait to register for classes until several weeks after your appointment slot
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Helpful links as you plan:
FAQS
Registration Appointments
When is my registration appointment?
When on MyBU student, navigate to your Student Dashboard. Under the menu on the left hand side, click Enrollment. Then select Enrollment Dates. Your appointment will be listed there. Make sure to look under Spring 2026!
The official registration schedule for all of BU is posted publicly: https://www.bu.edu/reg/calendars/registration/
Can I change my registration appointment?
No, all registration appointments are final.
Classes
What is the difference between CS350 and CS351?
CS351 counts for the same Group C requirement as CS350. However, CS350 and CS351 are slightly different classes.
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- CS 350 – Fundamentals of Computing Systems – is focused on how to optimize the work on one computer – e.g. how should computing resources be allocated, scheduler, etc. It uses primarily C and Java. It is not being offered this upcoming Fall semester.
- CS351 – Distributed Systems – is about how to have multiple computers work together. It uses Go and Java. It is being offered this semester.
CS351 does count towards your Group C courses. However, it will not appear in your Degree Progress on MyBU automatically. You will need to email your advisor or csadvise@bu.edu to ensure that the course count towards your CS degree. You cannot take CS351 and CS350 to fulfill all of your Group C requirements. You must also complete CS332 or CS320 in addition to any CS350/CS351 course you take. If you take CS350 and CS351, one of the courses will count towards your Group D requirements.
How many classes should I register for?
Generally, most students should register for 4 classes (16 units/credits). In order to stay on track with CS, we recommend that you register for 2 major classes, and 2 classes that satisfy other requirements (Hub, 2nd language, minor requirements, etc).
What classes should I register for?
If you’re not sure what to register for, make an appointment with your advisor. But, you should register for classes that fulfill requirements. Examples: If you have 2 Group D (CS electives) courses to take, register for those. If you need to fulfill your Aesthetic Exploration Hub unit, search for some classes that fulfill that requirement. If you need to complete your second language requirement, choose a language course to enroll in!
What if a class I want to register for is full?
You can monitor the seats in the course and try to register if someone drops the course.
Are there waitlists for full classes in the CS department?
Any waitlists available for a full course will be accessible directly on MYBU Class Search.
What is a prerequisite and why do I have to take them?
- A prerequisite is a course that you must complete before registering for another course. For example, CS111, Introduction to Computer Science, is a prerequisite to CS112, Introduction to Computer Science 2.
- Prerequisites are important because, in this scenario, the class material from CS112 builds on the material the CS111 teaches. It would be hard to successfully complete CS112 without properly learning the material from the course before it.
Do I need to satisfy the prerequisites for my classes?
Yes, CS prerequisites are strictly enforced. If you do not meet the prerequisites for a class, you will not be able to take the course and will be removed from the class.
Do I have to take a natural science class for a CAS requirement?
The new CAS natural science requirement is only a requirement for students who entered into CAS in Fall 2025 and beyond. This includes first years and new transfer students who started in Fall 2025, but also includes students who joined CAS In Fall 2025 through an intra-university transfer (IUT) or through a dual degree program (DDP).
Can I take multiple CS topics classes?
Yes, provided they are about different topics. For example, you can take both CS391 A1 and CS391 S1 in the same or different semesters.
Can I take more than two project-based courses towards Group D?
Yes! The degree progress text is outdated.
Advising
I have an advising hold on my account - what is that?
Only first semester students have an advising hold on their account. This means that you will have to meet with an advisor to get that hold lifted. Plan in advance for this – a late night email the day before registration won’t get your hold lifted!
How can I talk to an advisor about registration?
When are the Fall 2025 Drop-In Advising Hours?
- Mondays from 2:00-3:00 PM, In-Person, Room CDS 614 (Click here to sign-in.)
- Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 AM, In-Person, Room CDS 614 (Click here to sign-in.)
- Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00 PM, In-Person, Room CDS 614 (Click here to sign-in.) [Will start Oct. 22nd for extra pre-registration support]
- Thursdays from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Virtual (Click here to sign-in.)
- Fridays from 2:00-3:00 PM, Virtual (Click here to sign-in.)
Why haven’t I gotten a response to my email yet?
- Our inboxes are very busy during registration. We are working our hardest to answer all of your emails in a timely manner. If it has been less than a week, please do not send follow-up emails, as it will delay your question being answered.
- Note: Advisors will not be online on registration days, as they are Sundays. If you would like to ask us questions about your schedule or the registration process, please do so before your registration date.
How can I view the slides from the pre-registration workshop?
If you were registered for the workshop, the slides were emailed to you. We will also post the recording on our advising page on the department website.
For MyBU Student Questions, see the CAS FAQ.