Campus & Community

New App Allows Students to Optimize Their Class Schedule

Monday, November 16, 2020, By Brandon Dyer

鶹ƵUniversity students now have a powerful new tool available to them. Schedule Builder, an online application that interfaces with the PeopleSoft course catalog, will allow students to plan out their schedule more efficiently than ever before. Schedule Builder makes the self-service course selection process easier to navigate and helps maintain progress towards a student’s goals.

In the past, undergraduate, graduate and law students could not view potential class schedule scenarios in an easily readable format. Searches for courses were also limited and did not always return all relevant results. Schedule Builder can display possible schedules side by side in a calendar format. Available to both 鶹ƵUniversity and SUNY-ESF students, Schedule Builder’s improved search functionality allows students to search with multiple filters. Students can search by modality (in-person or online), subject and class number, and can add time restrictions for personal obligations, such as work schedules or practice times. Search results also include enrollment requirements, prerequisite courses and seat reserve capacity (for example academic level or major). For courses that require additional components (for example recitation or labs), Schedule Builder helps identify those options.

Another major benefit for students is the ability to build and save multiple schedule scenarios. This allows students to compare and make decisions by reviewing a visual representation in a calendar format. Students can choose the best time for them to attend class rather than registering for the only course they can find. In Schedule Builder, students may use a feature called “favorites” to share possible schedules with their advisor and receive feedback or recommendations. This will help keep students on track for graduation.

Having an optimal class schedule before registration reduces the need for students to adjust their schedules. Schedule Builder is available in MySlice for students to save favorites in their shopping cart prior to registering for classes in December