Permission Numbers

What is a permission number?

Permission numbers are special “codes” departments or class instructors may choose to issue so you can enroll in the class that the system may be preventing you from enrolling in on your own.

Why do I need a permission number?

Permission numbers are needed to do the following:

  • add a class during the last 4 days of the add/drop period, check the Student Planning Calendar for specific dates
  • override the prerequisite(s) of a course
  • enroll in a full class with or without a waitlist
  • enroll in a class without enrolling into its component (e.g., lab, activity, corequisite etc.)

How do I get a permission number?

The process to obtain permission varies by the department that offers the course.  If you are trying to get a permission number for a course offered outside the College of Engineering, we recommend contacting the instructor and/or department offering the course (use the Cal Poly directory or search their website to find contact information).   

Below are the preferred contacts for the departments in the College of Engineering.  When reaching out about a permission number, be clear in what you are looking for and include the following information:

  • Your name
  • Cal Poly Email
  • Empl ID
  • The reason you are requesting a permission number
  • Preferred Course
  • Preferred Section Number (location in Schedule Builder)
Department Who to contact  Contact information
Aerospace Engineering (AERO) Kendra Bubert, Administrative Coordinator Contact Kendra Bubert: kbubert@calpoly.edu
Biomedical Engineering (BMED)

If a permission number is needed to waive prerequisites: Prerequisite Course Waiver Request.  

 

If a permission number is needed for Independent Study or Research (BMED 400, 459, 495, 500, 593, 599): Independent Study or Research Course Permission Number

 https://bmed.calpoly.edu/admin-tools-and-project-resources/
Civil and Environmental Engineering (CE and ENVE)

If a permission number is needed to waive prerequisites, visit: https://ceenve.calpoly.edu/undergraduate-department-forms/ 

For any other reason, email:  ceenve@calpoly.edu

 For support email: ceenve@calpoly.edu
Computer Engineering (CPE)

Fall 2025 New Transfers ONLY: 

If you need a permission number for a CPE course, complete the CPE Transfer Student Permission Number Request Form. If you experience problems enrolling in a CPE course, please visit the CPE Department Zoom Office Hours on Monday, August 11th from 9:30 am-2:00 pm or email Donna Aiken (daiken@calpoly.edu) in the CPE Department.

 

Follow PowerForm/AdobeSign process for these supervisory classes: 

 

 https://cpe.calpoly.edu/directory-2/
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSC and SE) CSSE Permission Number Request Form 

Contact Leanne Fiorentino (lfiorent@calpoly.edu | 805-756-2825) or Chris Lupo (clupo@calpoly.edu) if you need support.
Electrical Engineering (EE)

Fall 2025 New Transfers ONLY: Please see if the system will let you enroll on your own.  If you receive a “requisite not met” message, complete the EE Permission Request Form – Transfers form. Please fill out the form thoroughly. Once the form is forwarded to the EE office, they will process your request. You will then receive your permission number(s) in an email. Please be patient, as they have many forms to process and it may take a few days to get back to you. If you experience problems enrolling in any EE course, please email Yvonne Lynch (ylynch@calpoly.edu), EE Department Administrative Coordinator.

 

Continuing Students: For EE Courses please contact Yvonne Lynch. In your email to Yvonne please include why you are requesting a permission number, the course number, and section number.

 Contact Yvonne Lynch: ylynch@calpoly.edu
General Engineering (ENGR) Instructor of Course https://gene.calpoly.edu/faculty-staff/
Industrial Manufacturing Engineering (IME)

Instructor of course first.  If unable to make contact or you have questions about this process, contact Dan Waldorf and/or Stephanie Allen.

 https://ime.calpoly.edu/faculty-and-staff-directory/
Materials Engineering (MATE)

Fall 2025 New Transfers: If you need a permission number for a MATE course, please reach out to Dr. Harding directly at tharding@calpoly.edu.

 

Continuing Students: MATE Permission Number Request Form

New Transfer Students please contact Dr. Harding at tharding@calpoly.edu.

 

Contact Cassi Goldsmith if you need support: cmgoldsm@calpoly.edu
Mechanical Engineering (ME)

Prerequisite Course Waiver Form (via Adobe Sign). This form is required for all students who want to take a mechanical engineering course (ME prefix) but the registration system does not recognize a prerequisite.  Fall 2025 New Transfers: please list Dr. John Chen (jchen24@calpoly.edu) as the "instructor" on the form. 

 

Note that mechanical engineering students who are requesting a waiver of a prerequisite for a required mechanical engineering course are not likely to be approved. Please make sure to apply for the waiver to the lecture instructor with the section number you want to add, not your lab.

 

For permission number requests outside of the reasons above, please contact the Instructor of the Course

 Faculty and Staff – Mechanical Engineering (calpoly.edu)

 

How do I use a permission number?

If you receive a permission number, you will want to follow the steps outlined in the "Add a Class- with Permission Number demo" on https://registrar.calpoly.edu/student-center/#AddClass to officially enroll in the course.

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