University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
In Society On Campus Dean's Office Calendar Newsletters
Academic Units
Faculty & Staff Services
Student Services
Alumni
Research Centers
Special Programs
Notable Research Projects

Course Syllabus

What should instructors include on the course syllabus?

Faculty members should distribute a course syllabus to each of their students on the first day of class. A copy of the course syllabus should also be submitted into the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dean's Office and the Faculty members department.

Listed below are guidelines to aid in the development of a course syllabus.                 Information denoted in RED is required. 

  1. Heading

         University of Maryland

  • Department

  • Course number & section

  • Course title

  • Days and times course meets

  • Final exam date and time

  • Instructor's name, phone number and e-mail address

  • Teaching assistant(s) name(s)

  • Office hours

  • Office room number

  • Department's phone number

  • The room in which the course will be taught

  1. General Information About the Course

  • Description of the course

  • Why should the student take this course?

  • Instructor's objectives (What should the students learn from the course?)

  • Pre-requisite(s) required for the course (If applicable)

  • How will course material be presented (e.g., discussion, lecture, guest speakers ,etc)?

  • What do various sections of the course contribute to the understanding of the                     subject?

  • CORE courses should include a statement that they fulfill a CORE requirement.

  1. Course Materials

  • Required textbooks

  • Required course materials

  • Optional textbooks and/or course material

  • Reserved books/articles in the library

  • Why has this material been chosen?

  1. Outline of Information to be Covered in the Course

  • Calendar for the course

  • Date(s) subject matter will be covered, including reading assignments and homework.

  • Identify any scheduled course meetings that will be canceled for foreseeable religious or personal circumstances.

  • What do you wish to accomplish at each class meeting?

  • How does each class contribute to a better understanding of the subject?

  • Schedule of exams and due dates for assignments

  1. Exams

  • Use of unannounced quizzes (if applicable)

  • Dates of exams

  • Type of exam (multiple choice, essay, short answer and so forth)

  • What will the exams test? (memory, understanding, synthesis, applying the material  to a new situation and so forth)

  • Make-up policy

  • Testing procedures (e.g., no books, no notebooks, assigned seating and so forth)

  1. Papers or Other Assignments

  • Appropriate subjects

  • What should the paper endeavor to accomplish?

  • Length of the paper(s)

  • Quality expectation of paper (e.g., typed on bond paper, double spaced, no spelling errors)

  • Bibliography expectations

  • Paper due dates

  • Penalties for late, sloppy and incomplete papers

  • Preferred or required style of paper (e.g., APA guidelines)

  1. Grades for the Class

  • Explanation on how grades will be determined (Please be sure to note the use of plus/minus grades)

  • Incomplete grade policy for the course or indicate that no incompletes will be given

  • How grade complaints are handled

  1. Expectations of Students in the Class

  • Class attendance

  • Class conduct

  • Assignments

  • Test taking

  • Class participation

  • Excused absences from class for religious observance

  1. Academic Integrity Expectations

  • Include a statement on academic integrity (including Honors Pledge), which each student reads, writes on a piece of paper, dates, signs and returns to the course instructor.

  • Definition of academic integrity.

  • Responsibility for upholding academic integrity.

  • Procedure which is followed if a violation is suspected

  • Possible penalties for violations of academic integrity

  1. Parental Involvement

  • Buckley Amendment should be explained.

  • Indicate that you will not discuss any information regarding the student and course with a parent without a signed, written waiver from the student. 

  • Student must be present when such a discussion occurs.

  • Without a waiver, only general information will be discussed (length, due date, etc)

  1. University Deadlines (please refer to the calendar current edition of the Schedule of Classes) http://www.testudo.umd.edu/ScheduleOfClasses.html

  • Last day to cancel registration

  • Diploma application deadline

  • Schedule adjustment deadline

  • Change grading option deadline

  • Drop with a W deadline

  • Last day to withdraw from ALL classes

  1. Academic Support Services

  • List appropriate academic support services (e.g., tutoring, LAS and so forth)

  1. Students with Disabilities

  • A clear statement of your willingness to accommodate students with disabilities

For example: 

If you have a documented physical or learning disability, I am willing to make the necessary accommodations.  Please contact me by September 15, 2003 so that we may discuss these accommodations.

  • A written request for accommodation from the student is required

  • University of Maryland documentation of disability from Disability Support Services (X4-7682).

  • A deadline for submission of this material should be stated.

Return to Administrative Concerns Menu

 

Last updated September 9, 2003
Maintained by Office of Academic Computing Services
Direct comments and questions to Webmaster.

© 2004, University of Maryland