Resources for Department Schedulers
Term Codes
This is a six–digit code representing the quarter or semester for which you are scheduling. The Term consists of the year plus a two–digit code for the quarter or semester. These codes are as follows:
- 01—Winter Quarter*
- 02—Spring Semester
- 03—Spring Quarter*
- 04—Extra Session
- 05—Summer Session I*
- 06—Summer Special Session*
- 07—Summer Session II*
- 08—Summer Quarter
- 09—Fall Semester
- 10—Fall Quarter*
For example, fall quarter of 2025 is the term 202510 in Banner.
* Terms available for scheduling through CLSS.
Schedule Activity Codes
The field Schedule Type (Activity) in Banner and the scheduling system uses a code to represent the type of activity or multiple activities for the course (i.e., lab, lecture, discussion). These are set up in the course approval process and can be referenced in ICMS. This field must contain a single-character code that represents a three-character abbreviation for the activity type. The following is a list of codes and descriptions for each code:
| Schedule Code | Abbreviation | Description |
| % | WED | World Wide Web Electronic Discussion |
| 0 | WVL | World Wide Web Virtual Lecture |
| 1 | CON | Conference |
| 2 | T-D | Term Paper/Discussion |
| 3 | F-V | Film Viewing |
| 6* | DUM | Dummy Course |
| 7 | COM | Combined Schedule; course with more than one learning activity |
| 8 | PRJ | Project |
| 9 | W-D | Extensive Writing or Discussion |
| A | LEC | Lecture |
| B | LED | Lecture/Discussion |
| C | LAB | Laboratory |
| D | DIS | Discussion |
| E | SEM | Seminar |
| F | FWK | Fieldwork |
| G | D/L | Discussion/Laboratory |
| H | L/D | Laboratory/Discussion |
| I | INT | Internship |
| J | IND | Independent Study |
| K | WRK | Workshop |
| L | LLA | Lecture/Lab |
| O | CLI | Clinic |
| P | ACT | PE Activity |
| Q | LIS | Listening |
| R | REC | Recitation |
| S | STD | Studio |
| T | TUT | Tutorial |
| U | AUT | Auto Tutorial |
| V | VAR | Variable |
| W | PRA | Practice |
| X | PER | Performance Instruction |
| Y | REH | Rehearsal |
| Z | TMP | Term Paper |
* Not for department use.
When adding a combined schedule (7) be sure to schedule the Lecture (A) before the secondary learning activity (C for Lab or D for Discussion, etc.).
Numbering Sections
In Banner, course sections are identified by three-character section numbers. All section numbers must be exactly three characters long and typically begin at 001, continuing sequentially. Section "000" is reserved exclusively for variable-unit courses (see Variable Unit Courses below).
Some courses follow special section numbering conventions:
- Combined Courses share a common lecture across multiple sections. Combined sections use an alphanumeric code beginning with a letter; e.g., A01, A02, A03. The shared letter signals to Banner and other scheduling systems that these sections are linked and meet together for lecture.
- University Honors Program (UHP) sections are identified by a “U” in the second position of the section number; e.g., 0U1, 0U2, 0U3.
- UC Online (Cross-Campus Enrollment) sections use a “U” in the first position of the section number; e.g., U01, U02, U03.
Variable Unit Courses
Variable unit courses are numbered 092, 098, 099, 192, 197T, 198, 199, 297T, 298, 299, 396 indicating that there is range of units students from which students can select and earn when taking these courses.
A variable unit “000” Section course is a placeholder section established for each term for publication purposes only. This section is not activated for enrollment. Instructor information on all “000” sections should be “The Staff” (989999999)
Variable unit Non-“000” (numbered) Section courses are section-specific and assigned to individual instructors and open for student enrollment.
Variable sections setup:
Type of Course | Section | Print Indicator | Consent of Instructor | Enrollment Max | Faculty | Meeting Time |
Variable-Unit | 000 | Yes | Yes | 0 | The Staff | TBA |
Non-000 | No | No | 99 | Instructor Name & ID | TBA |
Cross-Listed Courses
A cross-listed course is a single course offered jointly by two or more departments or programs. Each participating department shares responsibility and must contribute resources. The course must be either team-taught by faculty from each department or taught by a faculty member with a joint appointment.
Departments offering a cross-listed course must coordinate each quarter to schedule it. Each department is responsible for entering its own section of the course, ensuring that all schedule details—such as time, days, instructor, and enrollment cap—are identical. The course must be scheduled by all departments involved, regardless of who is teaching. Discrepancies or omissions can delay scheduling and room assignments.
When making changes or updates to a cross-listed course, always reference the cross-list and copy (“cc”) all department schedulers in related email communications.
Concurrent Teaching
Two courses that are not cross listed cannot be scheduled in the same room at the same time, except with approval of the Committee on Courses of Instruction. Requests for concurrent teaching must be approved each term.
Enrollment Restrictions
Enrollment in some courses is restricted to certain student populations. Restrictions are added to the schedule during Maintenance and listed in Schedule Builder and the Class Search Tool once the schedule for a term is published. Enrollment restrictions prevent students from enrolling in a course in Schedule Builder unless they are eligible.
Enrollment can be restricted by major, college, class level (e.g., junior, senior), or cohort (e.g., First Year Transfer). Note: restrictions by minor cannot be enforced.
Enrollment restrictions are usually listed in the general catalog. For undergraduate courses, adding a restriction to a course that is not listed in the catalog requires the approval of the Council of Associate Deans.
Course/Section Text
It is possible to add notes to a course or section(s) that will show in Class Search Tool and Schedule Builder. Restrictions should have accompanied text to inform eligible students that register for the class. There is a standard way to organize the course/section text:
1. Course Materials Fee (entered by the Scheduling team)
2. Course Restriction Text
3. Course Topic
4. Course Announcements
Example:
- ** CHE 200A COURSE MATERIALS AND SERVICE FEE - $24.00 **
- ** OPEN TO GRADUATE STUDENTS **
- ** TOPIC: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS STONE **
- ** STUDENTS MUST WEAR LABORATORY COAT, SAFETY GOGGLES AND CLOSED TOED SHOES **
You can find more information and examples on how to write course restrictions at Restrictions Do's and Don'ts.
Special Requests
Department schedulers may submit special feature requests during the Maintenance phase using the Special Requests field in the Course Scheduling System.
These requests may include:
- Specific classrooms.
- Rooms with certain features or equipment.
- Custom or restricted meeting patterns.
- Back-to-back scheduling.
- Space for non-student attendees; e.g., TAs, graduate students, guests.
- Pre-requisite check off (CLSS).
Flexibility is appreciated when submitting requests—providing alternatives increases the likelihood of securing a suitable space. While all special requests are given appropriate consideration, they are not guaranteed, except for accommodations documented through Disability Management Services.
Unused Courses
UC Davis automatically rolls the full class schedule from term to term, including unused sections. To ensure accurate data and make effective use of available sections, departments must remove any section during the Maintenance phase if the assigned instructor is no longer teaching or if the section has not had enrollment for several terms.
The Scheduling team deletes sections that have had no enrollment for three years. If future enrollment is anticipated, department schedulers may re-add these sections during the Maintenance phase.