Registration FAQs
Below are some questions about courses, course planning, and course registration that are frequently asked by Epi students. If you are not able to find the answer to a question you have on these topics, please contact Epi Assistant Director of Student Academic Services, John Paulson.
Step 1: If you haven’t already, Obtain a UW NetID.
- International Students: You are required to complete the International Student Services Information Session before being allowed to register. You will need your UW NetID and password to access the information session.
Step 2: Know your deadlines.
New Fall 2022 students who have paid their deposit can register starting on June 21 (with the exception of those using the Washington State/UW Employee Tuition Exemption*).
*Students using the Washington State/UW Employee Tuition Exemption must submit a tuition exemption form at least 2 weeks before each quarter in which they register and then register on the third day of classes. More detailed information can be found on the Tuition Exemption website.
Registration and Add/Drop deadlines for the entire academic year can be found in the UW Academic Calendar.
Step 3: Plan your course schedule.
A complete listing of Epi courses can be found on the Epi Courses page. The online platform myplan.uw.edu is a helpful resource for future course planning.
Consult the Epi Degree Requirements Checklist specific to your degree program and the sample schedule for your degree to be sure you are completing all course/credit requirements.
Consult with your faculty advisor and with John Paulson in the Epi SAS Office at epi@uw.edu.
Step 4: Request Add Codes (if required)
Some courses require an Add Code in order to register.
Any course on the UW Time Schedule with a “>” in front of its SLN number requires an Add Code.
For Epi courses requiring an Add Code please email Kevin Schuda at epcourse@uw.edu.
- To request an add code for a course offered through another department, contact that department directly.
Step 4: Register
Online course registration is done through myplan.uw.edu. or myuw.washington.edu
Be sure you have your Add Codes when you go to register.
All Epi students are required to complete introductory coursework in biostatistics. The UW Biostatistics Department offers two intro biostatistics course sequences from which you must choose; BIOST 511-513 or BIOST 517-518. These are typically taken during the first year of your degree program. The Biostatistics Department website provides information about each of those course sequences that can be helpful as you decide which is the best option for you. If you have previously taken graduate level biostatistics coursework it is possible to petition for a partial or complete waiver of the intro biostatistics requirement.
- Partial Waiver (waiving either 511 or 517 in the Fall quarter in order to start with 512 or 518 in Winter quarter): This requires taking the Biostatistics Department administered placement exam.
- Complete Waiver (waiving the entire sequence): This requires submission of a Waiver Form, transcripts showing completion of previous coursework, syllabus from previous course(s). Approval from the Biostatistics Department is not required for a complete waiver.
A fundamental knowledge of mathematical notation, algebra, functions, and manipulation of expressions with exponents and logarithms is helpful as you prepare for the statistics courses you will take as a part of your degree program. An introductory knowledge of statistics and R (the statistical software most often used on UW Biostats courses) is also helpful. The UW School of Public Health typically offers an epidemiology and biostatistics preparatory workshop for incoming students in the autumn quarter to assure your success in learning biostatistics. Students can take a self-diagnostic math test to help them decide to attend the workshop. Students who score below 75 percent are encouraged to attend.