Components of a Course Syllabus

Basic Information Course Description Materials

• name of university, semester, year • prerequisites • primary books/readings for the course

• course title, number, unit value – prior courses – author, title, edition
– knowledge/skills (needed to succeed – costs, where available
• course meeting times and location in this course)
– availability of electronic formats, for
• instructor, GSI names – permission of instructor needed? students with disabilities
• how to contact instructor/GSIs: • overview of course • supplemental books/readings
– in-person office hours, times and – what is the course about: its purpose,
location (with map if needed) rationale? • websites and links

– online office hours, times and how to – what are the general topics or focus? • other materials
access (URL) – how does it fit with other courses in – lab equipment
– email addresses the department or on campus? – art supplies
– phone numbers (private and – who is the course aimed at? – software
department lines) – why would students want to take this – etc.
– fax number course and learn this material?
– optional: times other than office hours • student learning objectives
when instructor can be reached
– what will students be expected to
– optional: home or cell phone number know or do after this course?
and limits on its use
– what competencies/skills/knowledge
• instructor web page URL will students be expected to
demonstrate at the end of the course?
• course web page URL
• methods of instruction
– lectures
– discussion
– group work
June 2004
– etc. Barbara Gross Davis
University of California, Berkeley
1
Requirements Policies Schedule

• exams and quizzes • grading procedures • tentative calendar of topics and readings
– how many – by week rather than by session
– describe how students will be
– what kind (e.g., open/closed book; essay/ graded: on a curve or absolute scale? – or leave some sessions empty for
multiple choice) flexibility
– clarify weighting of course
– type of knowledge and abilities tested components • firm dates for exams and written
– place, date and time of final exam – explain policies regarding assignments
incompletes, pass/not pass
• assignments/problem sets/projects/reports/ • dates of special events
– describe grade appeals
research papers – field trips
– give the date of the last day to
– provide general information on type and – performances
withdraw from the course
when due (detailed information can be – etc.
distributed during the term) • attendance and tardiness
– clarify the relationship between the
• class participation
learning objectives and assignments
– identify criteria for assessing student work • classroom decorum
– for research papers and projects: – no eating
• introduce students to the steps in – no reading newspapers
conducting research – turn off cell phones
• create shorter assignments that build – etc.
to the research paper (e.g. annotated
bibliography of primary sources, thesis • interrupted exams (e.g., fire alarms)
statement, fact sheet, etc.) • missed exams/make up exams
• specify the skills and knowledge
• missed assignments
students need to complete the research
assignments • late assignments/extensions
• connect research assignments to course • reporting illness and family
goals and student learning objectives emergencies
• extra credit opportunities
• permissible and impermissible
collaboration
• standards for academic honesty and
penalties for infractions Components of a Course Syllabus 2
Resources Statement on Accommodation Rights

• tips for success • a request that students see the instructor to • statement of students’ and instructor’s
– how students might approach the discuss accommodations for: rights to academic freedom (e.g., respect the
material – physical disabilities rights of others to express their points of
view)
– how students can manage their time – medical disabilities
– tips for studying, taking notes, – learning disabilities • statement on copyright protection for the
preparing for exams contents of the course, as appropriate
• a statement on reasonable accommodation
– common student mistakes or for students’ religious observations and
misconceptions practices
• copies of past exams or model student
papers

• glossaries of technical terms

• links to appropriate support material

on the web (e.g., style manuals, past
student projects, web based resources,
etc.)

• support services on campus

(e.g., Student Learning Center)

• information on the availability of

videotapes or webcasts of lectures

• request that students identify two or

three classmates’ names and their
contact information
– in case they miss class
– in case they want to form a study
group

Components of a Course Syllabus 3

Evaluation of the Course Safety & Emergency Preparedness Disclaimer

• student feedback strategies during • what to do in case of an earthquake • syllabus/schedule subject to change
the semester
• what to do in an emergency
• end-of-course evaluation
procedures • evacuation procedures

• lab safety precautions

Components of a Course Syllabus 4