Undergraduate
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First-Year Students
Registration Information

Registration Tip Sheet 

Learn about using CAESAR

Registration Holds 

Students should check their CAESAR account for registration holds well in advance of their registration appointment to avoid any delays once enrollment begins.  Please keep in mind that there are many types of holds and the majority are not managed by the Undergraduate Engineering Office.  You can view details on a hold, information on required steps for that hold to be lifted, and details on which department oversees that hold in CAESAR.  

First-Year Course Enrollment Information

Registration Tip Sheet

Visit this link for tips on using CAESAR: https://www.northwestern.edu/ses/students/registration/tip-sheet.html

Non-McCormick Courses

For information on non-McCormick courses taken by the majority of our students, such as Math & Chem, please see the following link:

https://www.registrar.northwestern.edu/registration-graduation/registration/help-with-closed-classes.html

PRDV 101-1: Engineering First-Year Seminar

Listing in CAESAR: PRDV 101-1

This 0-credit course is required for all first-year McCormick students enrolling in Fall 2023.

Your Peer Advisor (PA) will let you know which section number to enroll in during registration and will provide you with your permission number. This course is by permission only and you cannot be locked out. 

If you need to change sections of PRDV 101-1 due to conflicts or other issues, please submit yor request in the form below. You must be signed into your NU email to access the form.

Form to Request a Different PRDV Section

If you submit a request to change sections, the Undergraduate Engineering Office will work to ensure that you are enrolled in PRDV 101-1 by the first session meeting. 

Design Thinking and Communication 1 and 2 (DTC)

Listing in CAESAR: DSGN 106 (.5 credit) AND ENGL 106 (.5 credit)

DTC has three components each time you enroll (listed below).  Concurrent enrollment in all three is needed to avoid registration errors.

DTC-1 is offered Fall and Winter (DSGN/ENGL 106-1).  DTC-2 is offered each Spring (DSGN/ENGL 106-2).  Multiple sections are offered each term and do not require a permission number. Please enroll in an open section along with a Monday discussion.

Showing enrollment example for DTC-1:

  • DSGN 106-1-XX  (XX = section number)
  • ENGL 106-1-XX (XX = section number selected above)
  • DSGN 106-1-60 or -61 (Monday discussion) 

Note: Not all students will take DTC in Fall. If you are not able to enroll in a section this Fall, you will enroll in the winter. 

Engineering Analysis 1 (EA 1) 

Listing in CAESAR: GEN_ENG 205-1

Select any open section you prefer, taking your other course meeting times into consideration. EA 1 enrollment caps are set to ensure all students can take EA 1 in fall quarter. 

 At your enrollment time, if you believe you have a special circumstance that necessitates enrolling in a currently closed section of EA 1, please submit your request at this link.  You must be signed into your NU email to access the link: https://forms.gle/brqgU6ou1kJeC33G7 

We will accommodate requests where possible but must stay within the enrollment limits for each section and, unfortunately, cannot guarantee we will grant every request.  Students who have submitted requests will be notified regarding whether a seat is available in the preferred section by the start of classes.

Honors Engineering Analysis 1 (Honors EA 1)

Listing in CAESAR: GEN_ENG 206-1

If you have a seat in Honors EA 1 for fall, you’ll be sent a permission number before registration.  Be sure to enter that number when trying to enroll in the course.

If you are on the waitlist for honors EA 1 you should enroll in regular EA during your appointment time.  If you receive a seat in honors, you will be notified by the start of classes.

If you did not receive an initial invite to request a seat in honors EA but would like to be added to the waitlist, please submit that request at the following link.  You must be signed into your NU email to access the link: https://forms.gle/L1bKgtpiSy4waqwS6

Honors Calculus

Listing in CAESAR: ES_APPM 252-1

If you have a seat in Honors Calculus for fall, you’ll be sent a permission number before registration. Be sure to enter that number when trying to enroll in the course.

If you would like to be added to the waitlist for Honors Calc, please submit that request at the following link. You must be signed into your NU email to access the link: https://forms.gle/HzyPmpN3ZBuKwkwd6