Registration Process

Matriculated students use MyUW or the MyPlan academic planning tool to register for courses each quarter. Learn more about the registration process and important registration policies - see separate links for MS Thesis and PhD students, and MS Capstone students. Contact the Registration Office for general registration questions.

Viewing Section Notes in MyPlan

In MyPlan, be sure to check for section notes by clicking on the triangle next to the section letter. If available, these notes will often indicate instructions on enrolling, such as course restrictions and contacts for add codes.

Adding a Course to MyPlan

Important tip: Be sure you've selected a specific section (e.g., A, B, etc.) when you "Add to Plan" even if only one section is being offered for that course.

Register for the BIOST Section for Joint Courses

Many BIOST courses are "joint" with a STAT (Statistics) course number. Whenever possible, register using the BIOST course number. This makes degree audits smoother.

Subscribe to Seat Availability Notifications

If a course is full, you can subscribe to seat availability notifications. In MyPlan, click on the alert bell icon by the course section. In the Time Schedule, click on the Schedule Line Number (SLN) and then subscribe to notifications. You can also subscribe via Notify.UW.

Credit Requirements for TA/RA Appointments

Students with RA/TA appointments must register for at least 10 credits in Autumn, Winter, and Spring, and 2 credits in Summer. Tuition waivers cannot be applied unless the minimum credits are registered.

Notes for MS Capstone Students Only

The Biostatistics MS Capstone program is a fee-based program that is partly administered by the University of Washington Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) office. MS Capstone students should register for most courses under the UW Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) Time Schedule. In MyPlan, you can check the "Find PCE sections only" box or make sure that the section you add to your plan is the one listed in the PCE tab, not the Seattle tab.

Please contact your academic advisor if you are interested in taking courses that are not listed on the timeline. Note that you will be charged additional course fees for each additional credit you take.

Registration Periods and Deadlines

Be mindful of registration periods and deadlines each quarter, available on the Academic Calendar.

You should register as soon as possible after your registration period begins, especially for STAT and MATH courses which fill up quickly. Most new students register in Period II for Autumn quarter (mid-June) and Period I thereafter.

Course Add Codes 

Courses that Require Add Codes

Biostatistics students can register for most BIOST prefix courses without an add code. Only courses with "Restr" or the ">" symbol next to the Schedule Line Number (SLN) in the Time Schedule, or icons next to the section letter in MyPlan, have restrictions or add code requirements.  However, for BIOST courses restrictions are usually only for non-Biostatistics/Statistics students. 

BIOST 590 Consulting requires add codes for registration. Independent study courses (BIOST 600, 700, 800) require a faculty code.

Late Registration

Starting the second week of the quarter, all UW courses require add codes for all students. 

How to Obtain Add Codes

To request an add code, see the contact information or method noted in the Time Schedule or MyPlan. Each department has their own contact; or they may ask you to complete an add code survey. If no information is provided, for BIOST prefix courses, contact the Department of Biostatistics Curriculum Coordinator.

Independent Study

Course Numbers

BIOST 600 A/B/C

Students who wish to receive academic credit for non-coursework study or research outside of thesis, practicum, dissertation, etc. can register for independent study credits through BIOST 600 (SLN – schedule line number –varies by quarter). BIOST 600 is a variable credit course (1-10) and 30 hours of time over the quarter is a typical amount of time spent per credit.  In Biostatistics, independent study is graded credit/no-credit. 

Process for registering and receiving credit for Independent Study

To register for credit:

• Student approaches a faculty member to serve as the Independent Study faculty advisor. 

• Based on an understanding between the student and faculty member about the scope of the independent study, the student completes the form below, and then has it signed by the faculty member. 

  • Document

    BIOST 600 Independent Study Form_Final_3.04.24.pdf149.62 KB

• Student sends completed and signed form to bcurric@uw.edu. 

• Upon receipt of the form, the student will be given the appropriate faculty code to register for BIOST 600. 

To receive credit:

• The faculty advisor submits the course grade, as for any other UW course. Credit for the course means that the student completed the independent study work as described in the form. 

BIOST 700, BIOST 800

Students taking 700 or 800 credits for the first time: Before registering, you must officially declare your thesis advisor by emailing biostgp@uw.edu. In subsequent quarters students register as for a normal class. 

BIOST 700 and BIOST 800 Credit Requirements for Degree Completion:

• MS Thesis students must complete 18 BIOST 700 – Master's Thesis credits for the degree. 

• PhD students must complete 36 BIOST 800 – Doctoral Dissertation credits for the degree. 

Note: Both BIOST 700 and BIOST 800 may be taken for 1-25 credits per quarter. If taken for 1-18 credits, the cost is covered by a tuition waiver. If taken for 19-25 credits, additional fees apply. 

English Requirements for International Students

If you are an international student who has been required to take an ENG class to satisfy English proficiency or TA requirements, you may visit the Academic English Program website for details. Contact aep@uw.edu for registration questions, add codes, and drop codes.