Understanding the Class Schedule

Locating an instruction mode on the schedule

It is important for students to understand how courses will be delivered. You can find the specific instruction mode within the Class Details portion of the Class Information section in your HUB Student Center.

Understanding Meeting Pattern Information

Meeting patterns indicate when and where a class will take place. It is common for classes to have multiple meeting patterns. Please see the instructions for viewing a class meeting pattern within the View My Classes menu in your HUB Student Center.

Room Assignments

• Remote: The class will take place in a remote modality.
• On Campus-TBD (CSS): The class will be held in-person, but a room has not yet been assigned.

Meeting Patterns

To Be Announced: This typically indicates that a course will meet asynchronously.

Types of Classes

As you review your schedule, you may come across modes of instruction that are unfamiliar or new to you. We want to make sure students, faculty and staff understand how UB defines the common terms and phrases used to describe various modes of academic delivery. “Instruction Mode” refers to the manner in which we provide typical classroom activities involving instructors and students, such as lectures, discussions and group engagement. Instruction Mode does not refer to out-of-class requirements such as homework, reading, studying, writing assignments, take-home examinations or similar.

A note on remote coursework: Students should understand that any course with a remote component contains the same academic learning outcomes and access to distinguished faculty as is customary for an in-person class. At UB, this means that students may use the UB Learns powered by the Brightspace platform to view their course syllabus, submit assignments, and engage with faculty and classmates. Faculty may choose to use other platforms to provide additional academic participation.

Common Terms

• “Synchronous” describes remote courses that occur at a set day and time. At UB, this means all faculty and students will participate in the course at the same time per the schedule. Course information will be shared during this scheduled time. All students are required to participate in class activities at the scheduled time. You will know your class is synchronous because there will be a specific day and time listed on your class schedule.
• “Asynchronous” describes remote courses that do not occur at a set day and time. At UB, this means students are able to participate in and complete their coursework on their own schedule. Faculty may provide recorded lectures or videos for review. Students may also be asked to participate in discussion boards with their classmates. You will know your class is asynchronous because there will not be a specific day and time listed on your class schedule.

Instruction Modes

• In-Person

  A traditional classroom experience in which all students are physically located in a common classroom space. This instruction mode fulfills the on-campus status requirement for F1 immigration requirements.

• Hybrid

  A hybrid course incorporates both in-person and remote academic participation. The remote option may be offered synchronously or asynchronously. At UB, this means students will complete academic activities both in person and remotely as scheduled by the instructor. This instruction mode fulfills the on-campus status requirement for F1 immigration requirements.

• HyFlex

  A HyFlex class provides students with the choice and flexibility of participating with the course in person or remotely. The remote option may be offered synchronously or asynchronously. At UB, this means students may be able to choose among coming to campus for an in-person experience, viewing the course lecture live via videoconferencing, or working through the course materials at a convenient time for them.

• Remote Class with In-Person Exams

  Courses are conducted remotely. Courses may have synchronous or asynchronous components. Examinations and presentations will take place on campus. At UB, this means students will do the majority of their coursework remotely. Students will be required to come to campus for examinations and presentations as scheduled by the instructor. This instruction mode fulfills the on-campus status requirement for F1 immigration requirements.

• Remote — Real-Time

  Courses are conducted remotely at a specific day(s) and time (synchronously), with no in-person requirement. At UB, this means all class activities will be held remotely at a set time. There will be no recorded or on-demand class materials available. Students are responsible for participating with the class activities at the scheduled time.

• Remote — Real-Time and Recorded

  Courses are conducted remotely with some class activities being held at a specific day(s) and time (synchronously), with no in-person requirement. At UB, this means some class activities will be held at a specific time and other class activities will be available as recorded or on-demand materials. Students are responsible for knowing the specific times they must participate in class activities.

• Remote — Recorded Not Real-Time

  Courses are conducted remotely with all materials provided for on-demand access, with no in-person requirement (asynchronously). At UB, this means students will learn using class materials that can be accessed on-demand, such as recorded lectures. Students are responsible for allocating adequate time to participate in and complete class requirements.

Important Information

• Students are responsible for knowing when they need to be on campus and when they may need to participate in remote classes delivered at a specific day and time. Students should review their syllabus and contact the instructor with any questions about in-person requirements.
• Students should ensure they have enough time between classes to allow for any travel between campuses and class locations (even on the same campus), such as Ellicott Complex, Center for Tomorrow and Alumni Arena, and enough time to log in to classes delivered remotely at a specific day and time.
• Make sure you're aware of important dates for fall classes.
• Students may opt for S/U grading by the resign deadline for the course. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for S/U grade policies. Answers to frequently asked questions are available.
• Students should be aware that dropping certain courses may impact their financial aid. Students should consult with their academic advisor and Financial Aid to ensure they are making satisfactory progress toward their degree.
• The Academic Resources and Updates for Students webpage will provide academic updates and resources throughout the academic year.
• Students should contact their academic advisor with any questions regarding their schedule.