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 For Course You need the Permission Number Who to contact / Form Contact information
Aerospace Engineering (AERO) Kendra Bubert, Administrative Coordinator (New Transfer Students please copy Eric Mehiel: emehiel@calpoly.edu) 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:  asloane@calpoly.edu

 For support email Aaron Sloane: asloane@calpoly.edu
Computer Engineering (CPE)

Follow PowerForm/AdobeSign process for these supervisory classes: 

 

 https://cpe.calpoly.edu/directory-2/
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSC and SE)

For CSC Courses please contact Aaron Keen.

 

For Supervisory Courses only please fill out this form: CSSE Permission Number Request Form 

Aaron Keen (akeen@calpoly.edu)
Electrical Engineering (EE) For EE courses, contact the EE Department at ee-office@calpoly.edu. In your email, include your reason for requesting a permission number, the course number, and the section number. Also, put the course number in the subject line. Contact EE Department: ee-office@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 John Pan and/or Stephanie Allen.

 

If you are a Mechanical Engineering student trying to enroll in IME 1143, please fill out the ME Permission Number Request Form below.

 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. Kivy directly at mbeyrama@calpoly.edu.

 

Continuing Students: MATE Permission Number Request Form

Contact Allison Marcus if you need support: almarcus@calpoly.edu 
Mechanical Engineering (ME)

ME Permission Number Request Form.  This form is required for all students who want to take a ME course but the registration system does not recognize the pre-requisite.  

 

Note that Mechanical Engineering students who are requesting a waiver of a pre-requisite for a required ME course are not likely to be approved.  Please make sure to apply for the waiver to the lecture instructor with teh 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.

 Kim Shollenberger (kshollen@calpoly.edu) or Jennifer Mott-Peuker (jpeuker@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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