...
| Excerpt |
|---|
| A course syllabus is an important document given to you by your professor on the first day of class. Ideally, a course syllabus can be viewed as a roadmap of your course -- it contains essential roadmap to your success as a student. While each syllabus is unique, they all contain valuable information that will help you succeed and stay organized throughout the entire semester. To fully benefit from the course syllabus, you need to read it, understand it, and keep it handy, as you will continually refer to it throughout your course. |
...
Depending on which courses you take, some syllabi may be more detailed or will they might structure information in different waysdifferently. But each syllabus will cover at least these four topics.
Instructor information Near the top of the syllabus, you will find the name of your instructor's name, their contact information, and office hours.
Reading materials and supplies This syllabus section lists books, online resources, and other content you will need for class. Additional tools, like a calculator or specific software, will be listed here, too. Typically there is a note about which materials are required and which are recommended.
Policies A syllabus will outline how you will be graded, attendance requirements, and how the professor expects students to behave. This section may also include university-wide policies on academic honesty and respect , or how students with disabilities can request support.
Class schedule The syllabus will include when assignments are due and when tests will be given. This section contains all coursework for the class, including in-class assignments, homework, essays, labs, and assessments.
...
In the past, professors handed out paper copies of the syllabus on the first day of each class. Today, most instructors of college classes put their syllabi online. If your university uses Blackboard, Canvas, or another digital course management system, you might find your syllabus thereAt UWF, you can find course syllabi before the course starts through Course Search. Syllabi are also available on your course schedule in Classmate. You may also get it as a link from your professor or can find it on your course websitevia email or they may post it to their Canvas course site.
Be aware that the syllabus can change. If you do not know where to find the latest version of the course syllabus for any of your classes, your professor or teaching assistant can help. Make sure to ask them on the first day of class so that you are prepared for the rest of the semester.
...
Taking time to read and understand the syllabus might not sound like fun, but it can be really useful. Your syllabus will help you:
...
In this section, you will be able to find your instructor's name, their contact information (email, phone number, etc.), and their office hours. Office hours are a time set aside by your professor to meet with students. You should take advantage of this access to your professor.
...
In this section, the professor will inform you of the factors that will be considered when determining determine your final grade for the course. These factors will vary depending on the professor and your course.
...