Syllabi Guidance for Faculty

Regulation Text: Instructor’s name, office address, telephone number, e-mail address, regularly scheduled class meeting times, and office hours for out-of-class consultation. The course prefix, number and section, title, credit hours, and semester should be listed.

Questions to answer:

• Who are you, where are you located, how can you be reached in class/out of class?
• What is the class information so that they know which class the syllabus is for?

Example:

Regulation Text: The catalog description should match the information in the Course Inventory Management (CIM) system and the Course Catalog. An overview of the course or a course introduction that expands on the catalog description relative to a particular course section may also be included.

Question to Answer:

• What is the course about and (if appropriate) how is this section also unique among offerings?

Example:

Catalog Description: ABC 123 is a course about the construction and communication of syllabi. It covers the basics of the syllabus regulation at NC State and how it can be applied to disciplines across campus to communicate class expectations and frameworks to set students up for success!

Course Overview: ABC 123-001 uses syllabi pulled from the Xavier Institute as case studies in communication and for the exercise of translating these syllabi into NC State’s syllabus structure.

Regulation Text: Student learning outcomes in different sections of the same course should mirror the stated outcomes in CIM, including both general and, where applicable, General Education Program (GEP) outcomes.

Question to Answer:

• What will students learn? If there are learning outcomes related to GEP, include them in this list as well.

Examples:

• Students will be able to apply modeling best practices: model conceptualization, parameter estimation, uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, and reporting statistical significance.
• Students will explain, hypothesize, and interpret a disciplinary issue, based on critically analyzed evidence, and demonstrate their proficiency in both oral and written form.

Resources:

• Student Learning Outcomes Assistance
• Learning Outcomes for Specialized Courses (special topics, shell courses, research, and other courses where individual sections may differ)

Regulation Text: (e.g., group activities, lectures, discussion, labs, field trips, studio, etc.). Explain how the course will operate

Question to Answer:

• How is the course structured?

Example:

This course utilizes classroom meetings for lectures and group discussions, which take place twice a week. Special visits to campus collections (Special Collections at D.H. Hill Library, The Gregg Museum of Art & Design) will be announced well in advance; due to the brevity of class meeting time, some visits will request students attend exhibits on their own schedules. Attendance at lectures on subjects of interest to the course held at the College of Design and elsewhere on the NC State University campus (e.g., notable public lectures in Burns Auditorium or displays by Art + Design faculty and students at D.H. Hill or Hunt Libraries) may garner extra credit at the discretion of the Instructor. (ADN 288)

2.5.1 Regulation Text: The relative value of the various evaluation components of the course (the proportion of the grade that is derived from quizzes, tests, final exam, projects, attendance, participation, etc.) and the expectations for each component. When attendance and/or participation are graded, the requirements for earning full value and provisions for regular communication about student attendance and/or participation must be explained. This explanation must detail any penalties incurred due to the absence or circumstances (where applicable per the attendance regulation).

Questions to Answer:

• How will learning be assessed?
• How will assessments be graded?
• How will you deal with attendance/participation if those are graded?

2.5.2 Regulation Text: Grade conversion (if applicable). The conversion system from numerical to letter grading should be explained. The University’s regulation on grades and grade point average is available here NC State REG 02.50.03.

Questions to Answer:

• What makes an A+/- in your class?
• Does your class use +/-?
• Is there a curve or other scale in use?

2.5.3 Regulation Text: The requirements for obtaining a grade of Satisfactory in the case of an S/U (Credit Only or Pass/Fail) course. Information about credit-only courses can be found here: NC State REG 02.20.15.

Questions to Answer:

• Does your class allow for S/U (Credit Only) Grading?
  • If it does not, this section is not required.
  • If it does, what do students need to do to get an “S†if they are signed up for S/U?

2.5.4 Regulation Text: The requirements and procedures to audit the course as appropriate per the regulation on Audits available here: NC State REG 02.20.04.

Questions to Answer:

• Does your class allow auditing?
  • If it does not, this section is not required.
  • If it does, how do students still receive credit for an audit if they audit the class?

Example (Class allows S/U and Audit): (CSC 230)

Letter Grades

This Course uses Standard NC State Letter Grading:

Requirements for Credit-Only (S/U) Grading

In order to receive a grade of S, students are required to take all exams and quizzes, complete all assignments, and earn a grade of C- or better. Conversion from letter grading to credit only (S/U) grading is subject to university deadlines. Refer to the Registration and Records calendar for deadlines related to grading. For more details refer to http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-15.

Incomplete (IN) Grades

Information regarding incomplete (IN) grades, including recommendations on when and how to utilize them can be found at https://registrar.ncsu.edu/faculty-guidelines-for-incomplete-grades/

Requirements for Auditors (AU)

Information about and requirements for auditing a course can be found at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-04.

Regulation Text: The best practice suggests a note that the course schedule is subject to change with appropriate notification to students. The course schedule must include the following:

• List of major topics and approximate time allocated to each.
• Projected schedule of readings, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
• Required field trips and other out-of-class activities, if any.
• Laboratory, studio, problem session, or other component meetings, if any.

Questions to Answer:

• How can you best communicate with your students the flow of learning and work in the class?
• What are important dates and deadlines for students to be aware of?
• Do you have any additional meeting times available/required outside of class time?

Examples are available here.

2.7.1 Regulation Text: All required textbook(s) and other instructional material: All required textbook(s) and other instructional material (ex: project supplies, laptop) and the range of cost of each. If materials are provided for students free of charge, this should also be clarified in the syllabus. For each required textbook, include the author, title, and date or edition.

Questions to Answer:

• Does your class require any books, materials, etc?
  • If no, this section is not required.
  • If yes, if a purchase is required, how can you communicate ranges of cost (if not offered for free) can give a more realistic range for students?

Example:

Conceptual Physics Media Update – Paul G. Hewitt.
Edition: 12th Edition
ISBN: ISBN-10: 0321568090
Cost: ~$185 (Hardcover, new), ~$115 (Hardcover, used), Rental and eBook prices vary
This textbook is required.
You may use an older edition if you can find one. The older versions have some different homework
and the chapter numbers are moved around some. The material however is comparable. If you have
an older version, ensure you are in the correct chapter. (PY 131)

2.7.2 Regulation Text: Statement on required expenses (e.g., museum admission fee, field trip costs, liability insurance), if applicable, including the possible range of costs based on student choice (materials, tickets, etc.).

Questions to Answer:

• Does your class require any additional fees or expenses that a student may need to know about?

Example:

Students are required to pay a maintenance charge to use instruments.  The charge is $20.00 to check out an instrument whether you check out one or multiple instruments.  You may check out an instrument from Price Music Center Room #216.  There will be no locker charge for anyone enrolled in an ensemble.  You may pay in Price Music Center Room #203 by check or money order. 

Checks may be made payable to North Carolina State University.  The Music Department does not accept credit cards/cash.

Students will receive a $50.00 late charge per school-owned item by the stated deadline. The deadline for turning in school-owned instruments and completely cleaning out lockers is Monday, April 25 (office hours TBA).

Students are encouraged to provide their own instrument(s) whenever possible.  Music will be issued at the beginning of the semester.  Students are expected to keep track of their music and bring music to all rehearsal and the spring performance. (MUS 133)

Regulation Text: Instructor’s policy on late assignments, including the impact of late assignments on the grading of the assignment and the course grade for that element.

Question to Answer:

• How do you receive and grade late work? Are there late penalties for the assignment or the component itself as a part of the course grade?

Examples:

• Late Assignments: Written assignments are due on the date and time as specified on the course outline and on Moodle. No late assignments will be accepted. (HES)
• Late assignments will be accepted for a maximum of 1â„2 credit within one week of the due date. Assignments will not be accepted one week past the due date and will receive a 0% (HES)
• If you miss the submission deadline for a project, you can submit it late for a 20 percent penalty.  Late submissions will normally be accepted for 24 hours after the regular submission deadline.
  • If you make a submission before the due date, then, after the due date, you realize that you’ve made a mistake, you can still make a late submission if it is within 24 hours of the deadline.  Of course, you’ll need to decide whether it is better to lose points for a mistake on an on-time submission or to lose 20 percent for a perfect but late submission.  In general, you’ll earn more points with a correct-but-late submission than you will with an incorrect-but-on-time submission. (CSC 230)

2.9.1 Regulation Text: The instructor’s attendance policy, including procedures for submitting excuses and for scheduling makeup work when the excuses are accepted.

Questions to Answer:

• How should students notify you about planned and unplanned absences?
• How should students arrange for makeup work?

2.9.2 Regulation Text: Penalties associated with the number of absences in a course. Instructors may use reasonable academic penalties commensurate with the importance of the work missed because of unexcused absences. These penalties must be explicitly explained.

Questions to Answer:

• Are there incremental grade effects due to absences?
• If attendance or participation are graded components, how does an absence affect this grade?

2.9.3 Regulation Text: The acceptable number of excused absences in the course as determined by the instructor. A reasonable number of anticipated University excused absences as defined per the University’s Attendance Regulation (NC State REG 02.20.03) shall be accepted.

Question to Answer:

• How many absences are acceptable for your class?
  • Or: After how many absences will a student be unable to successfully complete the material of the class?

Example: (From an activity-based class)

Students are expected to attend all classes and to arrive and leave at the scheduled times. The instructor will adhere to the university attendance policy. In case of an excused absence, the student will be allowed to make up any written work missed within one week of returning to class. Students are responsible for submitting such work and for scheduling make-up exams with the instructor.

• Attendance recording begins the first day of the semester. For students registering late, all missed classes count as absences.
• If a student arrives more than five minutes after the class start time or leaves more than five minutes before the end of class time they will be marked as absent.
• Five absences are permitted without affecting your grade (excused or unexcused). Six or more total absences will result in a failing grade for the course.
• There are no make-ups for missed activity classes, whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

Regulation Text: List the instructor’s expectations concerning academic integrity in the completion of tests, assignments, and course requirements. Include reference to the Code of Student Conduct (NC State POL11.35.01) and Pack Pledge, as well as a statement that “Violations of academic integrity will be handled in accordance with the Student Discipline Procedures (NCSU REG 11.35.02).â€

Questions to Answer:

• Can students do homework together?
• What level of group work is acceptable?
• Have you included references to POL 11.35.01 and Pack Pledge as well the required text in quotes?

Example:

Honest and rigorous scholarship is at the foundation of the university. Students are bound by the academic integrity policy as stated in the NC State Code of Student Conduct. Students are required to uphold the university pledge of honor and exercise honesty in completing every assignment. Students should write the Pack Pledge on every exam and assignment and to sign or type their name after the pledge (“I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment”). Violations of academic integrity will result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct with a recommendation of a failing grade for the assignment. (HI 208)

Regulation Text: “Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Disability Resource Office, 3rd Floor, Holmes Hall, Suite 304, 2751 Cates Avenue, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653.

For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (NC State REG 02.20.01).”

Questions to Answer:

• Have you included the text in quotes verbatim?
• (Optional) Are there any other resources you’d like to share with students for the accessibility of course materials?

2.12.1 Regulation Text: List of digitally-hosted course components, if any, such as Moodle, Zoom, Mediasite, or other posting sites and forums or digital technologies. Instructors should identify any components that may present privacy, copyright, or accessibility issues for the student so that these issues can be addressed during the course drop/add period. If the faculty member is recording lectures in a way that might also record students, the faculty member must inform the students in the syllabus. Students should be allowed to opt-out of recorded class sessions, and participate through other means if a recording identifying them will be used beyond the current semester or in any other setting outside of the course.

Questions to Answer:

• Are you hosting class or class materials on an online platform?
  • If yes, make sure to list them (almost all classes do)
  • If no, this section is not required
• Will any digital components present privacy or accessibility issues?
• Are you planning to record lectures in such a way that students would also be recorded?

2.12.2 Regulation Text: If software is being used by the instructor to detect the originality of student submissions, students should be informed of what software is being used, what assignment(s) it is being applied to, and any resources that students may be able to use to check their work prior to submitting it.

Questions to Answer:

• Are you using any services like TurnItIn.com to check originality of submissions?
  • If no, this section is not required
  • If so, how can students pre-check their work?

2.12.3 Regulation Text: Note: Instructors are not responsible for ensuring privacy or accessibility of electronic materials that are not required components of the course (e.g., links to supplemental information that is not part of the required reading list). However, instructors should judiciously consider the privacy, copyright, and accessibility of supplemental links provided to students and warn them of any known issues or concerns in this regard. See Online Course Material Host Requirements (NC State REG 08.00.11).

2.12.4 Regulation Text: Electronic Hosting Statement: One of the following statements is required:

“Students may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to other students in the course, via digital tools, such as email or web-postings, where relevant to the course. Examples include online discussions of class topics, and posting of student coursework. All students are expected to respect the privacy of each other by not sharing or using such information outside the course.â€
Or
“This course may involve digital sharing or posting of personally identifiable student work or other information with persons not taking or administering the course. Students will be asked to sign a consent form allowing disclosure of their personally identifiable work. No student is required to sign the consent form as a condition of taking the course. If a student does not want to sign the consent form, s/he has the right to ask the instructor for an alternative, private means of completing the coursework.â€

Question to Answer:

• Will information on students be shared outside of the course?
  • If no, use the first statement
  • If yes, use the second statement

Regulation Text: To ensure course continuity, changes made to the method of instructional delivery, course structure, course schedule, number of assignments, grading, or other aspects of the course after the start of the term should be communicated to all students in written form (e.g., dated syllabus revision or syllabus addendum) when course changes are implemented.

Question to Answer:

• How will you communicate changes to syllabus information to students once the class has begun?
  • If assignment weights change?
  • Meeting times?

Example:

Course schedule and assignments are subject to change with appropriate notice to students. All course materials are available on Moodle, and any emergency notifications will be sent out through Announcements. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach me at ____.

Resources:

The Provost’s website has a lot of information about creating academic continuity plans, including templates and other examples.

Regulation Text: Transportation statement (if applicable). Students must be informed whenever they must provide their own transportation to a field trip or internship site.

Questions to Answer:

• Is any part of the course going to be offered at an off-campus site? For example, field trips or field research?
  • If no, this statement is not required
  • If yes, how are students expected to get there?
    • Will transportation be provided?
    • Are students expected to provide their own transportation?

Example:

Students will be required to provide their own transportation for this class. Non-scheduled class time for field trips or out-of-class activities is required for this class. (MUS 114)

When we leave campus for class, we have the opportunity to use university vehicles for transportation. The university will provide transportation to and from field trip locations via 15- passenger van. (HES 259)

Regulation Text: Where applicable, in courses requiring a laboratory, physical activity, field trips, studios and other special activities. Consult with your department on appropriate wording. Safety issues must be part of the course schedule at the first opportunity.

Questions to Answer:

• Are there safety considerations that students should be aware of?
  • If no, this statement is not required
  • If yes, what are they?
    • When will safety precautions be discussed in your class schedule?

Example:

NC State’s Health and Exercise Studies courses seek to build flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and coordination in an appropriate exercise environment.

Every sport/fitness activity has inherent dangers and physical risks. The activities and skills developed in this class are considered to be of moderate to vigorous intensity and may require some limited body contact. I understand that participation in the exercise and conditioning activities in this course present a risk of injury, especially to people who have pre-existing injuries, poor or limited muscle/movement patterns, illness, or medical disabilities. I have and will continue to keep my instructor(s) fully informed of any physical condition or disability that might prevent or limit my participation in this class.

I assume responsibility for all risks associated with this activity.  I understand that NC State does not require me to participate in this class.  I understand that I am free to withdraw from this class.

By engaging in the physical activities related to this course, I understand, acknowledge and agree to the above.

Regulation Text: “Students are responsible for reviewing the NC State University Policies, Rules, and Regulations (PRRs) which pertain to their course rights and responsibilities, including those referenced both below and above in this syllabus:

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement https://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05 with additional references at https://oied.ncsu.edu/divweb/policies/
and Code of Student Conduct https://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01.

Questions to Answer:

• Is this statement included, verbatim, in your syllabus?
• Are all URLs correct in the syllabus?

Aside from the required answers to different questions coming from the syllabus regulation, it is within your purview as the instructor to include additional resources and statements that you feel will enhance your students’ class experience. Some examples of these as received from instructors are included below:

E-mailing the Professor: (Communication patterns and recommendations)

Emails will be responded to Monday-Friday within 24 hours. All communications with your instructor should be via email. This will provide you with the quickest response for most questions that you may have. When emailing your instructor, please identify who you are, what course you are in, and details regarding the assignment or question that you are referencing. Students are required to use their University email address (via http://gmail.ncsu.edu). This is the only one the University will use to send official email communications.

In order to receive a response from your professor, your email should be structured as follows:

• Identify who you are, the class (including section or day/time) you are in, and the purpose of your email.
• Please address me as Professor Xavier. Please be specific and use complete sentences.
• If your question is answered in the syllabus or on Moodle, your email may not be answered.

Statement in Support of Identity

Diversity Statements

Mental Health

As a student you may experience a range of personal issues that can impede learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug concerns, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and may impact your ability to participate in daily
activities. It is very important that you have a support system and that you ask for help when you are struggling.The Counseling Center at NC State offers confidential mental health services for
full-time NC State students, including same-day emergency services. Please visit https://counseling.dasa.ncsu.edu/ to get connected.