Instructions for Completing the
Undergraduate Course Syllabus Template
The Purpose of the Syllabus:
The syllabus is a public and legal document, with four primary purposes. As you write or revise your
syllabus ensure that it specifically addresses each purpose.
1. It details the university’s and the instructor’s expectations and provides a contract between
the instructor and the student.
2. It reflects the course’s connections to TWU Global Student Learning Outcomes.
3. It provides information necessary for other institutions to articulate the course and to assess
credit transfer.
4. It communicates the course content and design to the public.
Instructions for Filling in the Template:
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The Syllabus Template below is designed for undergraduate courses only (not graduate courses)
This Template is the model to which all syllabi in all undergraduate departments must conform
in order to ensure uniformity across the curriculum
The section headings in the Template use standardized language that must be used in all courses
(for example, you cannot substitute “Course Objectives” for “Course Learning Outcomes”)
The font and layout can be modified according to your preference
The syllabus should be written in clear, straight-forward language, and avoid unnecessary
discipline-specific jargon
Approved by University Senate May 5, 2015
Trinity Western University
Undergraduate Course Syllabus
Course Number: Click here to enter text.
Course Name: Click here to enter text.
Semester and Year: Click here to enter text.
Instructor: Click here to enter text.
Contact Information: Click here to enter text.
Office Hours:
[NOTE: The instructor’s office location and contact information can be expanded to include the
information for lab instructors or teaching assistants, if appropriate.]
Co-requisites or Pre-requisites: Click here to enter text.
Semester Hours: Click here to enter text.
Course Description:
[NOTE: The “Course Description” section must be identical to the course description found in the
TWU Academic Calendar. This is necessary for purposes of articulation and credit transfer, and so
you cannot rewrite the Course Description according to your individual course design or philosophy.
You can of course add supplementary content to this section, but not to the exclusion of the formal
Calendar Course Description. (If the design and/or philosophy of a course have changed significantly
from the description found in the TWU Academic Calendar, the instructor should consider writing a
new description and submitting a “Change to Existing Course” proposal form to the Dean, who will
submit it for review and approval to the Office of the Provost.)]
Click here to enter text.
Course Learning Outcomes:
[NOTE: The “Course Learning Outcomes” section should list desired outcomes in terms of the
knowledge and skills you intend students to have mastered by the end of the course. This section
should make direct connections with the TWU Student Learning Outcomes. See the Appendix to the
Undergraduate Course Syllabus Template – Section 1: Examples of How to Connect TWU Student
Learning Outcomes & Course Learning Outcomes. ]
Click here to enter text.
Required Texts and Materials:
Approved by University Senate May 5, 2015
[NOTE: The “Required Texts and Materials” section should include a complete list of all the
resources and materials that students need to purchase. Optional or supplementary resources can
also be listed here, but it should be made clear that they are not required.]
Click here to enter text.
Course Activities/Requirements:
[NOTE: The “Course Activities/Requirements” section refers to everything that students are
expected to do in the course. This section is intended to make students fully aware in advance of the
workload and of the instructor’s expectations. Provide here a comprehensive list of all projects,
public presentations, participation, written assignments, field trips, class discussions, labs,
simulations, etc.]
Click here to enter text.
Course Evaluation:
[NOTE: The “Course Evaluation” section lists all of the gradable components of the course, and
states their grade value. Include optional assignments, if applicable. Identify which Course Learning
Outcomes are being assessed by each of the assessment methods used in the course. Keep in mind
that different kinds of learning outcomes can be assessed appropriately by different methods. See
the Appendix to the Undergraduate Course Syllabus Template – Section 2: Connecting TWU Student
Learning Outcomes, Course Learning Outcomes and Assessment Strategies for one example of how
to draw connections between your Course Learning Outcomes and the course evaluation and
assessment.]
Click here to enter text.
Course Policies:
[NOTE: The “Course Policies” section must include these four policies:
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Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism at TWU,
Campus Closure and Class Cancellation Policy, and the
University Standard Grading System (this policy could alternatively be located under the
Course Evaluation section).
Students With a Disability
You can expand on these policies if you prefer, however all four policies must be included in at least
the brief form given below.
In this “Course Policies” section of the syllabus you can provide details of other instructor-specific or
department-specific policies. Optional policies are those that address, for example: attendance,
classroom decorum, student responsibilities, late assignments, illness, bereavement, unexpected
class cancellations, in-class use of electronic devices or cell phones, guidelines for research papers,
research ethics, scent-limitations, food and drink in class, students with disabilities, privacy and
confidentiality, final exams, etc.]
Approved by University Senate May 5, 2015
Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism at TWU
One of the core values of Trinity Western University is the integration of academic excellence with
high standards of personal, moral, and spiritual integrity. The University considers it a serious
offence when an individual attempts to gain unearned academic credit. It is the student’s
responsibility to be informed about what constitutes academic dishonesty. For details on this, and
on identifying and avoiding plagiarism go to the University Homepage > Academics > Academic
Calendar > Academic Information > Academic Policies > Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Campus Closure and Class Cancellation Policy
In the event of extreme weather conditions or other emergency situations go to the University
Homepage > Campus Notification (in the page footer) > Class cancellation policy.
University Standard Grading System
The Standard Grading System can be found at the University Homepage > Academics > Academic
Calendar > Academic Information > Grading Practices University Homepage > Academics >
Academic Calendar > Academic Information > Grading Practices.
[NOTE: If your department or course deviates from the standard, include that grading system here,
and change the title of this section to Course Grading System.]
Students with a Disability
Students with a disability who need assistance are encouraged to contact the Equity of Access Office
upon admission to TWU to discuss their specific needs. All disabilities must be recently documented
by an appropriately certified professional and include the educational impact of the disability along
with recommended accommodations. Within the first two weeks of the semester, students must
meet with their professors to agree on accommodations appropriate to each class. Students should
follow the steps detailed by the Equity of Access Office outlined in the Student Life section of the
University Calendar.
Course Outline:
[NOTE: The “Course Outline” section lays out the essential dates and information, such as the
midterm exam, other fixed due dates, and the schedule of class meetings and topics, and may
include other items such as required readings, activities for the class hour, dates of presentations,
etc., as much as they are determined in advance.]
Click here to enter text.
Approved by University Senate May 5, 2015