2. The info is all there
One of the steps to becoming a successful college
student is to know how to read the syllabus for
important course information; information that
other students might miss
Unlike high school, the professor is letting you
know ahead of time what topics will be covered
each day and when exams are
3. Anatomy of a Syllabus
The first items on a syllabus
should give course information:
Course title/number
Instructor Information
Materials and Required
Textbook
Days and hours of the class
Location of the class
General information
(professor’s philosophy about
the class)
Expectations regarding
assignments
Grading
Course Schedule
4. Instructor Information
Full name/title
Office location
Where to leave assignments
Office hours
Email address
Office phone number
Pay close attention to any restrictions
ex. “No calls between 10:30pm and
8:30am.”
5. Textbooks
Your syllabus will list all required reading
materials for your class.
Information should include:
Title
Author
Date/Edition
Publisher
6. Materials
Although many courses only require print
material, there are also some courses that
require additional materials, such as:
lab/safety equipment,
art supplies,
special calculators, etc.
Be sure you are aware of what special materials
you are required to have for the class, if any.
7. Course Descriptions & Objectives
This info will most likely be similar to
the description in your course
catalog : a paragraph describing the
general content of the course.
Info about instructional methods
may also be included
8. Course Calendar/Schedule
A daily or weekly schedule of topics to be covered.
Dates for exams, quizzes, and major assignments
Required special events may also be included
ex. a lecture by a visiting speaker, a musical performance, field
trip, etc.
*This schedule can be tentative and subject to
change depending on the progress of the class*
9. Attendance & Tardiness
A statement regarding attendance should be included
Professors should state how many absences are allowed
before penalization.
Usually if you miss any more classes than allowed, it will
reduce your grade.
Sometimes, too many tardies can equal an absence. If
this is the case, it should be stated in the syllabus.
10. Class Participation
If active participation is required – especially
if it plays a part in your grade – then the
syllabus will typically say so.
The syllabus will also usually indicate how
participation will be graded.
11. Missed Exams or Assignments
The syllabus should give you the following
information about missed exams and
assignments:
Whether or not they can be made up
How many points are deducted each day for a late
assignment
If the professor will take it later than the specified due
date
12. Lab Safety & Health
If necessary, the syllabus should include a short statement
about the importance of these issues
In some courses, these issues can literally be a matter of life
and death.
13. Academic Dishonesty
The syllabus should address questions related to
academic dishonesty
Cheating
Plagiarism
These matters are very
serious, and the end result of
either could be an Fx in the
class.
14. Grading
Each syllabus should indicate how the
students will be evaluated.
How grades are weighted
Factors included in the grading
process
Information regarding extra credit
opportunities, if they are available.
15. Available Support Services
The library is probably the oldest resource, and
perhaps still the richest.
Campbell’s Student Support Services offers:
One-on-one tutoring
Tutoring Center
Writing center
Group reviews for specific courses
Disability services
Career guidance
Retention assistance
16. Be proactive from the beginning
After the first day of classes, go through
your syllabi and highlight all the important
information – keep the syllabus for each
class in your notebook for that class.
An even better way to ensure you know
when assignments are due and exams will
be held is to transfer all due dates onto a
calendar.
17. Last But Not Least
Whether your professor says it in class or not, if it’s in the
syllabus, you must adhere to it.
Not knowing is not an excuse if it’s in the syllabus.
