Configure Time Block Templates

A time block template is an aggregate of individual, unique meeting patterns for a course, for example, MWF from 2:00 to 2:50 pm, TR from 1:30 to 2:50 pm, and M from 1 to 3:50 pm. You can use time block templates to limit the meeting patterns that are available during Define & Edit mode or Dual mode, to add weight to courses that comply with the template during optimization, and in academic reporting. You can manually configure time block templates, or if time block patterns from a previously configured term meet your needs, then you can import these time patterns and make a new template.

During the configuration of time block patterns, or after importing time block patterns, if any of these patterns are the ones that are the most frequently requested and/or used for courses, then you can designate these patterns as prime time.

To open time block templates:

1. On the EMS Academic Planning menu bar, click Academic Planning > Configuration > Time Block Templates. 

   The Time Block Templates window opens. This window lists all the time block templates that are currently configured in your EMS database. The window also shows the total number of class meetings possible for each template according to the time block (day and time) pattern for the template.

2. Click New. 

   The Time Block Template dialog opens on the Time Block Template tab.

3. In Description, enter a description (maximum 50 characters, including spaces).
4. Continue to one of the following:
   • To configure time block templates
   • To import time block patterns for a template

Configure Time Block Templates

1. Open the Day Patterns tab and click New. 

   The Time Block Days dialog opens.

2. Select the day pattern for the course, a start time, and end time.
3. Optionally, if the day and time pattern that you are configuring is one that is the most commonly requested and/or used for courses, then select Prime Time.

   You can individually specify a day and time pattern as Prime Time. After you configure multiple patterns for a course, you can select them on the Day Patterns tab and mark them all as Prime Time in a single step. See Step 6.

4. Click OK. 
5. Repeat Step 1 through Step 4 until you configured all the time block patterns.
6. Optionally, if multiple patterns listed on the Day Patterns tab are the most commonly requested and/or used for courses, and you want to set these courses as Prime Time, go to Step 7. Otherwise, go to Step 8.
7. Ctrl-click to select these patterns, and then select Set Prime Time. 

   A confirmation message opens. 

8. Click OK. 

Import Time Block Patterns for a Template

1. On the Day Patterns tab, click Import. 

   The Term Picker dialog opens. It lists all active terms by domain.

2. In Domain, select a domain, select the term for the domain that contains the time block patterns that you are importing, and then click OK. 

   A confirmation message opens.

3. Click OK. 

   The time block template is created. All the imported time patterns for the template are listed on the tab.

4. Optionally, do one or both of the following:
   • If any of the patterns listed on the Day Patterns tab are not needed for the template you are configuring (for example, a non-standard pattern), you can delete them as follows:
     • Select the pattern, or Ctrl-click to select multiple patterns, and then click Delete. A message prompts you to confirm that it is OK to delete the selected patterns.
     • Click Yes to delete the selected patterns. 
   • If any of the patterns listed on the Day Patterns tab are the most commonly requested and/or used for courses, you can set these courses as Prime Time as follows:
     • Select the pattern, or Ctrl-click to select multiple patterns, and then click Set Prime Time. You are prompted to confirm that it is OK to set the selected days as Prime Time.
     • Click Yes to set the selected patterns as Prime Time. 
5. Click OK.