E.1 Course Outlines
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 and learning outcomes they can expect. Course outlines also serve as a reference and resource in processes such as curriculum review, accreditation, program development and academic advising. Course outlines are to be submitted to Department Heads/Deans for approval and to confirm that the elements listed below are included. Any required course activities scheduled outside of course hours must be indicated and approved by the Dean or their designate. The Department Head/Dean is required to ensure that the course content, dates and times correspond with the calendar description and required GFC hours.
Each instructor responsible for a course is required to make the approved course outline available to their students. A copy of the course outline should be made available to students on first day of the term and no later than the first scheduled day of the course to ensure students have access to course information prior to add/drop deadlines. 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 copy of the outline will be emailed to students through the class list. In exceptional cases, changes to the course outline may be made after the first meeting date of the course with approval from the Dean or their designate.
In addition to the required general information (number and title of course, name of the instructor, day, place and time of regular classes) each course outline must contain the following:
(a) Course Information
Course objectives/learning outcomes of the course
Textbooks, readings, and materials that will be used in the course
Access to technology, including hardware and software that is above and beyond the university standard
If applicable, a list and description of approved optional fees or mandatory supplementary fees for courses
Dates, times and modalities of all scheduled course components (e.g. labs, tutorials, seminars)
Dates, times and locations of all approved class activities scheduled outside of regular course hours
If applicable, dates, times, locations and referral to the Student Centre for unique and binding drop/withdraw deadlines for courses that have been approved to run outside of regular term dates
(b) Assessment and Evaluation Information
Assessment Components and Grading Schemes
Information on assessment methods
If applicable, the letter grade conversion scale
A list of all the assessments in the course and the weights assigned to these assessment components used in determining the final grade.
Description of the assessment methods, and where applicable information on methods used in group assessments
Dates of assessments in the course
Assessment weighting may not be changed without approval from the Dean
If applicable, whether a passing grade on any particular component of a course is essential if the student is to pass the course as a whole
Information on what students should do if they miss a required component of the course
Exams
If there is a final exam in the course. The dates, times and locations of final exams are scheduled by the Registrar during the final exam period
If a midterm or final examination is held, whether the use of aids such as textbooks, course notes or electronic devices are permitted
If applicable, information on any exceptions to the Examination and Tests regulations as approved by the Dean or their designate
(c) Course Policies and Procedures
Information on the tools and platforms and resources students can use to complete course work and assignments and assessments, and information on prohibited tools and resources.
Information on academic misconduct and the consequences thereof
Information on instructor intellectual property
Information regarding the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and how this impacts the receipt and delivery of course material
If applicable, the following must be noted:
a statement that students in the course may be asked but cannot be required to participate as subjects or researchers when research on human subjects may take place. Research ethics board approval is required prior to recruitment, obtaining informed consent, and data collection activities;
a statement requiring students to obtain research ethics board approval for applicable activities;
a statement on the use of media recordings in the course (see Operating Standard);
Information about Academic Accommodations
It is the student’s responsibility to request academic accommodations according to the University policies and procedures listed below. The student accommodation policy can be found at: ucalgary.ca/student-services/access/prospective-students/academic-accommodations.
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/legal-services/sites/default/files/teams/1/Policies-Accommodation-for-Students-with-Disabilities-Procedure.pdf.
Students needing an accommodation in relation to their coursework or to fulfil requirements for a graduate degree, based on a Protected Ground other than Disability, should communicate this need, preferably in writing, to the designated contact person in their Faculty.
The course outline should clearly list the appropriate Faculty contact person(s) and their contact details.
(d) Copyright Legislation
All students are required to read the University of Calgary policy on Acceptable Use of Material Protected by Copyright (ucalgary.ca/legal-services/university-policies-procedures/acceptable-use-material-protected-copyright-policy) and requirements of the copyright act (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/index) to ensure they are aware of the consequences of unauthorized sharing of course materials (including instructor notes, electronic versions of textbooks etc.). Students who use material protected by copyright in violation of this policy may be disciplined under the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.
(e) Support and Resources
A link to required information that is not course-specific related to student well-being and safety resources, can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website: ucalgary.ca/registrar/registration/course-outlines.
Additional resources for the development of course outlines are available through the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning: taylorinstitute.ucalgary.ca/resources/designing-learning.
E.1 Course Outlines
E.2 Writing Across the Curriculum
E.3 Attendance
E.4 Religious/Spiritual Observance
E.5 Ethics of Human Studies
E.6 Recording of Lectures