The document discusses the importance of reading the course syllabus for college students. It provides details on the typical information included in syllabi such as instructor information, required materials, course schedule and assignments, grading policies, academic dishonesty policies, and available student support services. It emphasizes that the syllabus outlines all important course information that students need to know, such as due dates and exam dates, and that students should refer to the syllabus throughout the semester.

1. Your Course
Syllabus Is Your
Friend

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.