Syllabus Guidelines

As noted above, state law requires a course syllabus be posted to Digital Measures no later than seven (7) days after the first day of class. When possible, faculty should email the syllabus and course calendar to students one week prior to the course start date. Student rosters are available in Goldmine. Contact the UTEP Help Desk for assistance, if needed. A course syllabus provides a wealth of information about the faculty member and the course to students. There is no one way to write a syllabus, but there are several kinds of information that are essential and will improve communication between faculty and students and that can help guide the class to a successful end. It may be helpful to think of five main sections: Course Information, Course Communication, Course Policies, Course Resources and Course Schedule. An online syllabus template is available here.

Course Information:

• Course description
• Course objectives and/or learning outcomes
• Required materials
• Course assignments
• Grade breakdown and scale
• Technology requirements

• Office hours
• Email/phone
• Blackboard: discussion boards, announcements, etc.
• Netiquette (online etiquette)

• Attendance/participation
• Synchronous sessions
• Deadlines
• Make-up work
• Course drop
• Incompletes
• Accommodations
• Scholastic integrity
• Test proctoring
• Course copyright

Course Resources:

• Technology
• Academic
• Individual

• Readings
• Assignments/projects
• Tests