Hello,

I just accepted my offer of admission to Mac and I was hoping that someone could explain what Mugsi and Solar are!

One other question, how and when would I choose my courses for my first year?

Thanks!

Hi,

MUGSI (https://adweb.cis.mcmaster.ca /cis/ahtml/login.htm) is the website that you have to log in to in order to access things like your degree audit, timetable, exam timetable etc. It is also allows you to access SOLAR (student online academic registration). You'll soon learn to hate SOLAR as it's really difficult to access when everyone is trying to pick their courses.

As for registration it usually starts at midnight on certain dates but you can access the specific days/time here: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /regis...%20Final. pdf

Also, make sure you've activated your Mac ID before trying to access these sites.

Hope this helps!

You can also plan out your schedule ahead of time get the slots you want etc through timetablegenerator.co m

Hi bsteele,

Thanks for replying! I looked on the second link that you provided. Since I am enrolled in the Arts and Science Program, does that mean that I can only enroll in my courses starting June 27th? How long is my window for choosing courses?

Yup, as of 12 am June 27th you can start trying to access SOLAR. You have 7 days to do this and then you won't be able to access SOLAR until they reopen it on July 8th (I'm pretty sure). You want to try to get onto SOLAR asap though so that you can get your spot in any electives you hope to take.

Originally Posted by bsteele

Yup, as of 12 am June 27th you can start trying to access SOLAR. You have 7 days to do this and then you won't be able to access SOLAR until they reopen it on July 8th (I'm pretty sure). You want to try to get onto SOLAR asap though so that you can get your spot in any electives you hope to take.

Actually, you can start any time after midnight on June 27th (until SOLAR closes again for everyone), but once you start, you have seven days to finish before it locks you out.

Technically, if it opens on June 27th, you should get on Solar at midnight on June 26th.. but be warned, it will take several hours (literally, not an exaggeration) of refreshing before Solar allows you in. I suggest getting cozy, using your fastest laptop/computer, putting on a few good DVDs to ease the boredom and frustration, and perhaps a redbull so you don't fall asleep before most others attempting to log on at the same time.

Originally Posted by SweetyTweety

Technically, if it opens on June 27th, you should get on Solar at midnight on June 26th.. but be warned, it will take several hours (literally, not an exaggeration) of refreshing before Solar allows you in. I suggest getting cozy, using your fastest laptop/computer, putting on a few good DVDs to ease the boredom and frustration, and perhaps a redbull so you don't fall asleep before most others attempting to log on at the same time.

Semantics Midnight on the 27th is 12:00am (0:00 using the 24-hour clock). Midnight on the 26th is twenty-four hours too early. The pdf clearly says it opens at 12:01am on the day it opens unless otherwise specified, anyways.

But yeah, you should definitely be ready to wait hours.

okay, so June 26th at 11:59pm-june 27th 12:01am.

there you go.

Hi Ryan!

This will explain them for you and walk you through the steps of picking courses in SOLAR: http://bit.ly/19fvwyJ

And check out this guide to explain the other steps for MUGSI, MAC ID, etc: http://www.macinsiders.com/showthread.php?t=7807 5

They put the demon within the demonstration of course selection.

Hey Chad,

So I went onto my course requirements and it says stuff like:

Level I: 30 units

24 units ARTS&SCI 1A06, 1B06, 1C06, 1D06 6 units Electives or Course List 1 (requirement must be completed by the end of Level II)



I know I should probably know this but what is a unit? Is that a 0.5 credit course ? For example, it says 24 units of Arts & Sci 1A06, 1BO6, 1CO6, 1DO6, but those are only four courses so not quite sure! (sorry still getting used to how university courses work lol)

a half year course is worth 3 units. a full year is 6. If the course code ends in a 3 --it is 3 units, and 6--6 units. So in the case of your course requirements, you have to take ALL of the Arts&Sci 1A06, 1B06, 1C06 and 1D06 because they add up to the 24 units you need. and you have the opportunity to take TWO half year courses or one full year. a full year consists of 30 units worth of class.