Minimum Course Syllabus Requirements

July 14, 1999

Revised August 2000

University policy requires faculty members to provide their students with an accurate syllabus at the beginning of each course (The University of Alabama Faculty Handbook, p. 65). Each course syllabus should include the following information:

1. Course number, title, instructor, assistants, office hours.
   
   
2. Required text(s): Also recommended texts, etc. if any.
   
   
3. Prerequisites: For 300 and 400 level courses, prerequisites should include a statement that all C&BA students must be admitted to the upper division of the College of Commerce before enrolling in 300 or 400 level courses, and that all students who enroll for 300 or 400 level courses must have earned 61 or more semester credit hours (except A&S economics majors who may enroll in 300 level economics courses with less than 61 hours). Any exception to these requirements must be approved by the Director for Undergraduate Programs.
   
   
4. Course description: The description should include the course description printed in The University of Alabama Undergraduate Catalog or Graduate Catalog. Additional descriptive language may be added as appropriate to the course or section.
   
   
5. Objectives: Statement of what instructor hopes to achieve in the course.
   
   
6. Course outline: The outline must include the major topics to be covered during the semester and approximate time devoted to each.
   
   
7. Attendance policy: If no requirement, this should be so stated.
   
   
8. Major tests and assignments: May be approximate.
   
   
9. Grading policy: Include description of how final grade is determined and procedures for tests and assignments.
   
   
10. Make-ups: The policy for making up missed coursework, assignments, and examinations.
    
    
11. Extra credit: Any special considerations to earn extra credit or special considerations offered to one student must be available to all students in the class.
    
    
12. Reasonable accommodations statement: The University’s Office of Disability Services suggests that a statement similar to the following be included on all course syllabi:

    "To request disability accommodations, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 348-4285 (133-B Martha Parham West).  After initial arrangements are made with that office, contact your professor."

13. Optional, additional sections may be added to or within this outline.

University policy requires that, "Faculty members must provide the department chairperson with a current syllabus for each course they teach" (UA Faculty Handbook, p. 66). This should be done at the beginning of each semester or summer term. The Department Head/Director is responsible for maintaining a file of current syllabi and for ensuring that each syllabus meets College and University requirements.

Syllabi may be distributed electronically instead of being printed.