Every course is required to have a course outline that provides the overall structure and requirements of a course and informs students about the kinds of learning experiences they can expect in the course. Course outlines are to be submitted to departmental offices (or in the case of non-departmentalized Faculties or interdisciplinary programs, the Dean’s Office). The home unit head is required to approve course outlines and confirm that the required elements listed below are included.
Each instructor responsible for a course is required to make a course outline available to each student no later than the first meeting date for the course. It is expected that the course outline (or in the case of clinical and professional practice-based courses, a Faculty–approved alternate document) will be available as a web-based document or through the learning management system (i.e. Desire2Learn). If it is not, a paper version of the outline will be handed out to every student at the first meeting of the class, and made available for those unable to attend the first class.
In addition to the required general information (number and title of course, name of the instructor, day, place and time of regular classes, prerequisites/corequisites, etc.) each course outline must contain the following:
(a) Course objectives/learning outcomes of the course;
(b) Required (and recommended) textbooks, readings, materials including electronic resources;
(c) Information on grading methods and/or scales used in the course;
(d) In all courses where exemptions to the Examination and Tests regulations are approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designate, the exemption should be noted in the course outline.
(e) The weights to be assigned to the various components which are to be considered in determining the final grade (term papers, laboratory work, class participation, tests, final examinations, etc.). This weighting may not be changed during the term or at the time of grade reporting;
(f) Whether or not a passing grade on any particular component of a course is essential if the student is to pass the course as a whole;
(g) Whether or not there will be a final examination and if an examination is held, whether the use of aids such as open book, etc., are permitted;
(h) Whether students in the course may be expected to participate as subjects or researchers when research on human subjects may take place;
(i) When writing and the grading thereof is a factor in the evaluation of the student's work (see E.2 Writing Across the Curriculum statement);
(j) A list and description of approved optional and mandatory supplementary fees for courses;
(k) Academic Accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to request academic accommodations and according to the University policies and procedures listed below.
The student accommodation policy can be found at: ucalgary.ca/access/accommodations/policy.
Students needing an Accommodation because of a Disability or medical condition should communicate this need to Student Accessibility Services in accordance with the Procedure for Accommodations for Students with Disabilities ucalgary.ca/policies/files/policies/student-accommodation-policy.
Students needing an Accommodation based on a Protected Ground other than Disability, should communicate this need, preferably in writing, to "(Instructor) (Associate Dean) (Department Head) (other designated person)".
The course outline should clearly list the appropriate contact person and their contact details.
(l) Information regarding the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and how this impacts the receipt and delivery of course material.
(m) Information on academic misconduct and the consequences thereof;
(n) Emergency Evacuation/Assembly Points (ucalgary.ca/emergencyplan/assemblypoints);
(o) Internet and Electronic Communication Device information;
(p) Safewalk information;
(q) Student Union or Graduate Student representative contact information;
(r) Link to the Student Ombuds' Office (ucalgary.ca/ombuds/) ombuds@ucalgary.ca.
Instructors will also indicate in the course outline the use of calculators and/or electronic devices that will be allowed. In the absence of a written statement, the presumption is that the use of any calculators and/or electronic devices during examinations will not be allowed.
Instructors have the authority, at the discretion of the dean of their faculty, to require that specific course assignments, term papers and academic exercises be submitted in an electronic format. Instructors cannot require that multiple copies of an assignment be submitted.
Academic Regulations