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ACA 111 College Student Success

This is the online textbook (course materials) for ACA 111 classes at Pitt Community College.

Introduction to a Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus 

A course syllabus is one of the most important documents you will receive from your instructor. In fact, your course syllabus will play a vital role in your success. To get the most from your syllabus, you should read it, understand it, and keep it close throughout the semester so you can refer to it as needed. 

 

Why is a course syllabus important? syllabus line drawing

A syllabus serves as a contract between you and your instructor. It is a guide to understanding what the instructor's expectations are of you, when assignments are due, how your work will be evaluated, and the method behind calculating your grade...topics all successful college students need to know!  

 

What can I learn by reading the syllabus? 

  •  Many questions can be answered by reading the syllabus, such as: 
  • What will I learn in this course? 
  • When is my instructor available to meet with students? 
  • How do I submit assignments in this class? 
  • What textbook and materials are required? 
  • Who do I contact if I can't log into the course? 

All this may seem a bit overwhelming but try not to worry - You can become skilled at reading and understanding a course syllabus. Listed in the table below are common sections found in a college syllabus. 

Table 2.1: Sections of a Syllabus
Section What it will Include
Instructor Information 
  • Your instructor's name 

  • Instructor contact information (email, phone number, office location, etc.) 

  • Office hours (time set aside by the instructor to meet with students) 

Course Information 
  • Course name and number 

  • Meeting times and location (when and where the class meets each week) 

  • Course description (summary of topics covered during the semester) 

  • Prerequisites (courses, if any, you are required to complete before enrolling in this course) 

  • Credit hours (the number of credits you will earn by successfully completing the course) 

Textbook & Course Materials  
  • The textbook required for the course (textbooks can be printed or digital books) 
  • Course materials required for the course (computer software, calculators, digital access codes, etc.) 

Course Goals (Learning Objectives) & Grading Information 

  • Concepts and information your instructor wants students to know by the end of the semester 

  • Factors that determine your final grade for the course 

  • Assignments and points/percentages attached to each 

  • Course grading scale 

Course Schedule  Class assignments and their due dates. This is one of the most important sections of your syllabus because it allows you to look ahead and see when assignments are due and when exams are scheduled. You'll want to use this information to plan your workload to ensure you are prepared. 
Course Policies 
  • Participation and attendance 

  • Academic honesty 

  • Late work 

  • Communication 

  • Student Code of Conduct 

Additional Information 
  • Accessibility resources 

  • Tutoring services 

  • Technical (I.T.) support 

  • Counseling services 

  • Grievance policy 

  • Veteran information 

Keep in Mind 

  • Depending on the subject of the course and your instructor’s preferences, the syllabus can be just a couple of pages, or it can be many pages long. 
  • Your instructor can revise the course syllabus throughout the semester, so it's a good idea to periodically check the syllabus posted in your course. 
  • Always check your syllabus for answers to your questions before contacting your instructor. 

Review

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Notes, Licenses, etc.

ACA 111 College Student Success by Nancy Jesmer and Angela Davis, Copyright © 2025 Pitt Community College, is licensed under CC BY 4.0 unless otherwise noted. This text may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without permission from Pitt Community College.