Course registration FAQ

A student with pen on paper, studying.

We know that selecting your courses can seem daunting, but don’t worry. Here you will find answers to the most common questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, an advisor will be happy to help.  

Registration questions

Information on accessing the Self-Service banner and finding important course details. 

is a student information system that allows you to: 

  • Register for courses 
  • Pay fees 
  • View your class schedule 
  • View your final grades 
  • Order official transcripts 
  • Print Canadian tax forms 
  • Change your personal information 
  • Access online resources 

To log in to Self-Service Banner, use your smu.ca email address and password.  

Registration for each academic year (September – April) typically begins in April. Registration for spring and summer sessions typically begins in March. 

Check our to find out when you are eligible to register. 

If you are trying to register for a full class, check if a waitlist is offered. Visit our Waitlist Registration page to learn about waitlisting and how to use this option.   

Or visit the Common Registration Problems below.  

A pre-requisite is a course you must successfully complete (in a previous year or term) in preparation for a more advanced class. If you do not have the necessary pre-requisites, you cannot register for the course in question. 

Your timetable can be viewed on Self-Service Banner. 

Day abbreviations in Self-Service Banner are: 

  • M = Monday 
  • T = Tuesday 
  • W = Wednesday 
  • R = Thursday 
  • F = Friday 

See our Campus Map for building names and locations. 

  • MM – McNally Main at 923 Robie St. The main section of the McNally building is parallel to Robie St.  
  • MM TAUD – McNally Theatre Auditorium. On the first floor of McNally Main, MM113 (in the building lobby). 
  • MN – McNally North Wing. At the north end of the McNally Building, next to the Science building. You can find the pedway to the Science building on the MN third floor. 
  • MS – McNally South Wing. At the south end of the McNally building. You can find the pedway to the Loyola building on the MS first floor. 
  • ME – McNally East Wing. This section of the McNally building faces the quad. You can enter through the quad or near the Campus Security desk on the basement floor of McNally Main. 
  • LA – Loyola Academic. This building connects to McNally, the Sobey building and residences. 
  • SB – Sobey School of Business at 903 Robie St. This building connects to Loyola Academic. 
  • S – Science Building. This building near the corner of Robie & Inglis Street connects to McNally and the Atrium. 
  • AT – Atrium. This campus hub connects to the Patrick Power Library, Science and McNally buildings. 
  • B – Burke Building. Enter via Inglis St or the quad. Includes Burke Theatres A & B (B TH-A & B TH-B). 

View Classroom Codes for classroom and exam names and locations. 

The official descriptions are as follows: 

  • On Campus: The course is held in person (on campus). 
  • Hybrid: The course is a blend of both in-person (on campus) and online components. Students will be required to participate both in person and online to complete the course successfully. 
  • Dual Mode: The Course can be completed fully in person or fully online. *Note: It can also be displayed as "synchronous online/on-campus." 
  • Synchronous: The Course is completed online only. The course requires students to connect at the specific times of day listed in Banner in order to be assessed or evaluated or to receive information critical to success in the course. This means that quizzes, tests, participation, and other activities will be held during the specified times. 
  • Asynchronous: The course is completed online only. The course does not require students to connect at specific times in order to be assessed or evaluated or to receive information critical to success in the course. Ignore that the time for asynchronous courses is listed as TBA – a specific time will not be announced; TBA is simply the Banner system’s default entry for courses without a specified time. This means that quizzes, tests, participation, and other activities will be available in broad windows of time. A final exam may be scheduled at a specific time in some courses. 
  • Web (WW): Web courses may include various online means of engaging students. *Note: includes synchronous and/or asynchronous delivery methods. 

If you decide to drop a course after the deadline, there may be financial and academic consequences. 

Common registration problems

You may encounter registration issues while trying to add courses. Many you can resolve on your own, while others may require help from your Academic Advisor, who will be happy to help you. 

  • You may not be eligible to register at this time. Check our Registration Dates to see when your category is open. 
  • There may be a hold on your account preventing registration. 
  • If it’s been over a year since you last registered for a course, you’ll need to reactivate your status. Please contact the . 
  • If you’ve applied to graduate, you cannot register in future terms. To register, you must either withdraw your graduation application, or re-apply through the Admissions Office to continue studies in a different term. 

You may be trying to register for a graduate-level course (5000 or 6000 levels) or a program-specific course (i.e. Engineering). You cannot register for this course unless you’ve been accepted into that specific program. 

The class you are trying to add requires a pre-requisite course. If you do not have the necessary pre-requisites, you will not be able to register for your class. 

  • The course you are trying to add is full. If a registered student drops the class, a seat will become available. 
  • The number of seats remaining in each course can be viewed online through the academic timetable. Please note that some courses are “cross-listed.” Although there may appear to be seats available, you will still receive an error message indicating the course is closed. 

Many courses have mandatory labs or recitations. You cannot register for the course without also registering for the lab/recitation at the same time. 

  • You are trying to register for a class offered at the same time as another course you’re taking. The number in the error message indicates the CRN (course reference number) of the other course. 

Note: You cannot register for a course offered at the same time as a lab/recitation, even if that lab/recitation is only scheduled once a week. 

You are trying to register for the same course twice. 

This is a warning. One of two things is preventing your registration. 

  • You may be trying to register for a course that you have already passed. If you’d like to upgrade your mark, this error message will not prevent your registration. 
  • You may be trying to register for the winter portion (YY) of a full-year course. The system will not allow you to add the course unless you are also registered in the fall portion (XX). 

You cannot register for more than six courses per term (18 credit hours). 

You must declare your major before registering for this course. 

Viewing your schedule

Navigate the Self-Service Banner with ease and access your class schedule.  

After you have registered for classes, you can view your schedule in . 

  • Select “Student Information” 
  • Select “Registration” 
  • Select “Week at a Glance” 

Your Week at a Glance is a weekly schedule of all your classes. The schedule lists the location and time of each course. 

If you aren’t sure where your class is located, check our Classroom Codes – On and Off Campus. 

Tip: The location for your course may change, so make sure you check your schedule the day before class starts. 

Getting help

Academic advisors are committed to providing a supportive environment that focuses on individual student needs and prioritizes your educational, professional, and personal development. As your advisors, we can help you identify your goals, strengths, and interests to help you make informed decisions.

Advisors can help with:

  • Planning your degree
  • Choosing your courses
  • Confirming program requirements
  • Understanding university regulations, policies and processes
  • Accessing student supports
  • Faculty grading schemes
  • Understand your transfer credits
  • Taking courses at other universities (letter of permission)

To learn more about the academic advisor and student partnership, view the SMU Academic Advising Syllabus .

Want more information? Check out our Advising FAQs.


Faculty of Arts

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Environmental Studies
McNally Main 218

Telephone: 902-420-5437
Email: BAadvising@smu.ca
Website: Bachelor of Arts Advising Centre
Dean: Dr. Mary I. Ingraham
Associate Dean of Arts (Curriculum and Student Affairs): Dr. Myles McCallum
Associate Dean of Arts (Outreach and Faculty Support): Dr. Sara Malton
Senior Academic Advisor: Emily Anderson
Program Advisors: Abhishek Bhuchar, Robyn McIntosh, Shawn Simamba 

 


Faculty of Science

Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Engineering
Atrium 301

Telephone: 902-420-5661
Email: advisor.science@smu.ca‌
Website: Science Advising Centre
Dean: Dr. Sam Veres (Acting)
Associate Dean (Student Affairs): Dr. Jason Masuda (Acting)
Associate Dean (Curriculum): Dr. Roby Austin
Senior Academic Advisor: Courtenay Kyle
Academic Advisors:  Laura Johnston and Tara Whitney


Sobey School of Business

Bachelor of Commerce
Sobey Building 252
Telephone: 902-491-6532
Email: bcomm.advising@smu.ca
Website:
Dean: Dr. Mark Raymond (Interim)
Associate Dean (Undergraduate and Professional Graduate Programs): Dr. Margaret McKee
Program Coordinator: Dr. Miguel Morales
Senior Academic Advisor: Jill Thomas
Academic Advisor: Emma Wicks, Wendy Wang