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 to the faculty members' department. Listed below are guidelines to aid in the development of a course syllabus. Information denoted in red is required.

I. Heading

University of Maryland

• Department
• Course number and section
• Course title
• Days and times course meets
• Final exam date and time
• Instructor's name, phone number and email address
• Teaching assistant(s) name(s)
• Office hours
• Office room number
• Department's phone number
• The room in which the course will be taught

II. 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

III. 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?

IV. 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

V. 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)
• Note: Final exam schedule is available on the web at: http://www.testudo.umd.edu/ScheduleOfClasses.html

VI. Papers and/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)

VII. 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
• Note: In most cases attendance may not be used as an indication of students' grades; however, participation can be used

VIII. Expectations of the Students in the Class

• In most cases class attendance cannot be required, but do indicate unannounced quizzes, mandatory presentations, group work, etc.
• Class conduct
• Assignments
• Test taking
• Class participation
• Excused absences from class for religious observance

IX. Academic Integrity Expectations

• Include a statement on academic integrity (including Honor 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

X. 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.)

XI. University/Academic Deadlines (please refer to the Schedule of Classes)

• 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

XII. Academic Support Services

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

XIII. Students with Disabilities