At the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), the course syllabus is considered a formal contract between the instructor and students, establishing the rules, expectations, and learning objectives for the semester. Whether you are a student preparing for the first day of class or a faculty member designing a new curriculum, understanding the structure and accessibility of the UTM syllabus is essential for academic success. How to Find Your Course Syllabus at UTM
Students can typically expect to receive a syllabus on the first day of class. However, there are several ways to access them earlier:
Timetable Builder: Once a syllabus is approved by the department chair, it is made available to students directly through the Timetable Builder.
Course Syllabi Archive: Students can search the UTM Course Syllabi Archive to view past outlines, which is helpful for planning future course loads.
Quercus: Instructors often post the finalized syllabus on the course’s Quercus (Canvas) dashboard just before the term begins.
Academic Calendar: For high-level summaries and prerequisites, the UTM Academic Calendar provides a searchable database of all active courses. Essential Components of a UTM Syllabus course syllabus utm
A standard UTM syllabus must contain specific elements to comply with university policies, including:
Instructor Contact Information: This includes official @utoronto.ca email addresses, office locations (e.g., DH–3097B), and scheduled office hours.
Grading Scheme: A detailed breakdown of assessments, such as assignments, midterms, and final exams. At UTM, changes to an approved grading scheme are strictly regulated.
Assessment Scheduling: Policies on "take-home" tests and the 25% rule, which limits the value of assessments due in the last two weeks of class (excluding final exams).
Academic Integrity Statement: A mandatory section outlining expectations for honesty and the consequences of academic offenses, including the unauthorized use of generative AI or message boards. At the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), the
Accessibility Services: Information on how students with disabilities can request accommodations through UTM Accessibility Services. Guidelines for Faculty and Staff
Instructors are responsible for developing the syllabus and must submit it through the Course Information System (CIS) for approval before distribution. Key guidelines include:
Deadlines: Syllabi must be approved by the Department Chair or Director by the first day of classes.
Standard Formatting: The Office of the Dean provides Advice for Preparing Course Syllabi guides and templates to ensure all institutional requirements are met.
Late Penalties & Absences: Instructors must clearly define their policies for late submissions and what constitutes an excused absence. It lists topics to be covered
Introduction to Databases - CSC 343 Winter 2018 - Michael Liut
Students with disabilities or ongoing medical conditions should register with Accessibility Services (room 2047, Davis Building) to obtain a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). Provide your LOA to the instructor within the first two weeks. Accommodations for temporary illness: use the Absence Declaration Tool on ACORN for up to 7 days.
This breakdown provides a week-by-week or topic-by-topic plan.
While specific formats may vary slightly between faculties (e.g., the Faculty of Engineering vs. the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities), a standard UTM syllabus generally contains the following critical sections:
UTM employs a continuous assessment model alongside final examinations. This section is crucial for students to calculate their GPA. It typically includes:
While every department (from Anthropology to Zoology) formats its syllabus differently, all UTM syllabi contain the following critical sections:
One of the smartest academic habits you can develop is locating and reviewing the course syllabus UTM before the first day of class. Here is the approved method, step-by-step.