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Q&A

Below are commonly asked questions. Please read carefully before contacting the academic advisor.

Expandable List

  • If you would like support with course planning or exploring alternative options, drop-in advising is available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • Please note that advising will be unavailable from August 20 to August 28. Drop-in availability may also vary due to scheduled appointments, meetings, and departmental events.

Read the error message carefully and refer below to the correct next steps.

Available seats are reserved, and you do not meet the reserve capacity criteria.

  • A certain number of seats in each course and each section are reserved for students in specific programs, so the section may appear to have space, but the seats are not available to everyone. For example, Bio 1A03 will have a certain number of seats reserved for students in Biochemical Engineering, Science Level One, and the Arts and Science program. If you are a Science Level One student but the only seats left in the section you are attempting to enroll in are reserved for Arts and Science students, you will need to choose a different lecture section in order to register.
  • If this is an elective course, these seats have been filled. You can try another section or keep checking back on Mosaic to see if a seat has opened or choose another available elective.
  • If it is a required course for your degree completion and all sections are closed, please contact the department or school directly.
  • Check Mosaic on August 1st when all remaining seats are released

Unable to add this class – requisites have not been met.

No Results – There are no schedule combination(s) with the selected courses.

  • You have searched for courses that are scheduled at the same time during the week. You cannot enroll in courses that are held at the same time. Use the checkbox left of each course to toggle it on or off and explore your options
  • A/B: Indicates a multi-term course. For example, a course labeled PNB 4SC6A/B means it spans two terms (typically Fall and Winter)
    • You must complete both parts to receive credit.
    • Dropping one part means dropping the entire course
    • Students register into the A portion of the course; MOSAIC automatically registers the student into the B portion.
    • For independent Research Courses, a multi-term 3-unit course
      • (e.g. PNB 3QQ3A/B) expects about 5 hrs/week over the two terms (26 weeks), for a total of 130 hours.
  • S: Indicates a single term taken either in the fall term or the winter term, where a multi-term option (A/B) is also available.
    • For independent Research Courses, a single term 3-unit course
      • (e.g. PNB 3QQ3S) expects about 10hrs/week over the term (13 weeks), for a total of 130 hours.
  • When enrolling in a multi term course you only need to register in the A portion. You will be automatically added to the B portion.

All Level 2+ Psych courses require students to have the necessary prerequisite to enroll. Waivers are for class permission when you are missing pre-requisites.

  • It is the instructor’s discretion as to whether course prerequisites may be waived. No exceptions to this rule will be made.

Waiver requests will be reviewed after:
1. June 28th 2026
2. July 26th, 2026
3. August 23rd, 2026

+ Please note that a waiver does not guarantee a seat in a course but only the opportunity to obtain a seat.
+ Please do not email asking of the status of your waiver.

Link to Waiver Request Form
Form opens June 1st 2026 at 12:01am and close August 21st 2026 at 11:59pm

If you have already contacted the instructor and have received permission to enroll please forward the approval email to pnb@mcmaster.ca

Seat holds ensure that students in specific programs or levels (particularly those who require the course for their degree) have an opportunity to enroll and remain on track academically. Any remaining reserved seats will be released on August 1 at 12:00 AM, at which time you may wish to check Mosaic again and attempt enrollment.

Please Note:

Yes. Students can use either the Class Search or MyTimetable function in Mosaic to ensure that the combination of courses that they have selected can be scheduled free of conflicts.

How many units of courses do I need in my first year at McMaster?

  • Your course load should be balanced between the Fall Term (September to December) and Winter Term (January to April). For most students this means taking 15 units each term.
  • Please be aware that you do NOT have to carry a full coarse load. However, if you are considering reducing your load, it is important to speak with an Academic Advisor so that you can be made aware of the effects that a reduced load may have (e.g., Athletics, bus pass, scholarships, residence, OSAP, etc).
  • To be considered a full-time student during the Fall/Winter, you must be registered in at least 9 units per term.

If you intend to take a course that conflicts with another, you must complete a Course Conflict Form through your home faculty office.

  • BA‑PNB students do not use a conflict form. Instead, the Faculty of Social Sciences requires emails from both instructors to be sent to socscfac@mcmaster.ca.

Please note that conflict forms are not handled by the PNB office.

Yes. You will enroll for courses for the full academic year (both Fall and Winter Terms).

  • Required courses are courses that are specifically designated for inclusion in a Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) program. Students must complete all required courses listed for their program and level to satisfy degree requirements. For example, students in the Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour program must complete specific PSYCH, PNB, and supporting science courses outlined in the Academic Calendar.
  • Elective courses are courses that are not specifically required for a student’s program but count toward the total number of units needed for their degree. Electives can be selected from a wide range of disciplines across the university, provided the student meets all prerequisites, enrollment requirements, and any faculty restrictions.

Students are encouraged to consult the Undergraduate Academic Calendar and their program requirements when selecting electives to ensure they remain on track for graduation.

All McMaster courses have a limited number of seats available. If a course displays a blue square icon in MOSAIC, the course or section is full and students should consider an alternative section or course.

Occasionally, a course may display a green circle icon indicating available seats, but students may still receive an enrollment error. This usually means the remaining seats are reserved for a specific group of students, such as those in particular programs, levels, or faculties. Reserved seats are released on August 1st at 12:01am

If you are unable to enroll in a course that is required for your Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour program, please contact the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. For courses offered by another department, students should contact the department offering the course regarding enrollment permissions, waitlists, or seat availability.

  • Prerequisite: A requirement that must be completed before you can enroll in a course.
    • Example: PSYCH 2AA3 – Child Development
    • Pre-requisite: ISCI 1A24 A/B or one of PSYCH 1F03, 1N03, 1X03, and registration in Level II or above; or registration in Level II or above of an Arts & Science or B.H.Sc. (Honours) program (2026)
  • Corequisite: A course that must be taken at the same time as another course.
    • Example: Some Psychology courses with a laboratory or tutorial component may require enrollment in both the lecture and associated lab/tutorial section during the same term.
  • Antirequisite: A course that covers substantially the same material as another course and therefore cannot be taken before, after, or at the same time for credit.
    • Example: Certain Psychology courses may list anti-requisites to prevent students from receiving credit for overlapping content. Students should carefully review the course description in the Academic Calendar before enrolling.

Course prerequisites, co-requisites, and anti-requisites are listed in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar and in MOSAIC. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they meet all enrollment requirements before registering. If you have questions about Psychology course requirements, please contact the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour.

Yes. All McMaster courses have a fixed number of seats available, which are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, you should not to delay your enrollment if you are very keen to get into specific courses. If the course is already full, you will see a blue square icon on Mosaic immediately, letting you know you need to make an alternative selection. If your course is a requirement of your program, please contact us for further information.

  • If you decide that you want to make changes to your timetable, you may do so by the last day of the Drop/Add period each term without penalty. Note throughout the Academic Year, there are three terms: Fall Term, from September to December; Winter Term, from January to April; and Spring/Summer Term, from May to August.
  • You cannot enrol in courses after the last day of Drop/Add. Cancelling a course after this date will result in a notation of ‘W’ (Withdrawn) on your transcript and cancellation charges as outlined on the Office of the Registrar website will apply.
  • To drop a course before the last day of the Drop/Add period go to your Mosaic Student Center > Enroll > Drop > Select the term > Check off the course you would like to drop > Select Drop Selected Classes > Finish Dropping.
    Or drop using MyTimetable.
    1. Click the trash can beside the course you want to drop
    2. Scroll down and click Get this Schedule
    3. On the next page scroll down and click Do Actions.
  • If you are dropping a course and want to add another course – use the “Swap” option! That way you won’t be dropped from the course until you are added to the new course.
  • Academic advisors are always available to assist you with any problems or questions you may have regarding your course selections and changes to your enrollment.
  • Faculty of Science Academic Advising science@mcmaster.ca.

Please Visit Your Home Faculty Office for any of the below:

  • Overload Requests
  • Petitions
  • Appeals
  • MSAF (McMaster Student Absence Form)
  • LOP (Letter of Permission)
  • Conflict Forms

In the Faculty of Science, there are a few courses you may be required to take that are zero unit courses. These courses are not calculated into your course load or course count. WHMIS 1A00 (SCIENCE 1A00) is an example of a zero unit course.

You can determine how many units a Psychology course is worth by looking at the final digit(s) in the course code. For example, PSYCH 1X03 and PSYCH 1XX3 are each worth 3 units.

In general:

  • Courses ending in 03 are worth 3 units.
  • Courses ending in 06 are worth 6 units

Multi-term courses span both the Fall and Winter terms and require students to remain enrolled for the full academic year. Students receive a final grade only after completing the course in the Winter term. If a student drops a multi-term course after the Fall term, academic and financial implications may apply, so they should consult their Faculty Office or Academic Advisor before making changes to their enrollment.

The first number in a course code indicates the course level:

  • 1 = Level I (typically first year)
  • 2 = Level II (typically second year)
  • 3 = Level III (typically third year)
  • 4 = Level IV (typically fourth year)

Students should note that a course’s level does not necessarily indicate when it must be taken. Enrollment is determined by prerequisites, program requirements, and seat availability. Always review the course description in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar and consult your program requirements before registering.

  • Your academic level is determined by the number of courses you have successfully completed.

Level I:  0 – 21 units

Level II:  24 – 51 units

Level III:  54 – 81 units

Level IV: 84+ units

  • Admission to a Level II program will depend on your academic performance in Level I as well as the courses you have taken. You will need to have taken the required courses – as outlined in the online Faculty of Science Programs and Degrees section of the Undergraduate Calendar. Admission averages vary from year to year, depending on the number of applicants.
  • Entrance to a non-limited enrollment, 4-year Honours B.Sc. program requires a minimum Cumulative Average (CA) of at least 5.0, with specific course requirements and minimum grades in particular courses, as outlined in the Faculty of Science Programs and Degrees section of the Undergraduate Calendar.
  • Entrance to a 3-year B.Sc. program requires a minimum Cumulative Average (CA) of at least 3.5, with an average of at least 4.0 (C-) in the required subject courses.
  • Please note that admission to our limited enrollment programs is competitive and is based on academic achievement in Level I. Possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
  • No. Combinations of subjects from the Faculty of Science and other faculties at McMaster are not possible, apart from the designated Combined Honours B.Sc. programs such as Honours Biology & Mathematics, Honours Biology & Environmental Sciences, Honours Biology & Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, Honours Mathematics & Computer Science, and Honours Mathematics & Physics already offered by the Faculty of Science.
  • Your Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is a weighted average based on the grades obtained in all of the courses that you have taken at McMaster University.
  • To calculate your Cumulative Average, you multiply the grade received in a course by the number of units in this course. Use this formula for each course you have completed. Then, add these numbers up and divide this total by the total number of units. This number is your GPA.
  • To find out more about the grading system used at McMaster and to see an example of how the Cumulative GPA is calculated, go to the Grading System section of the Office of the Registrar website.

The Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB) does not offer any waiting lists

  • A Minor is declared as you prepare for graduation. For more information, please see the Graduation Information page.
  • For a list of Minors available in the Faculty of Science, please visit the Faculty of Science section of the Undergraduate Calendar.