9 Understand Your Course Outline
A Course Outline is prepared by your instructor and is a roadmap for your learning journey. When the course starts, look on Brightspace (NSCC Office 365 login required) for your course outline. Sometimes, instructors will email it or share it in-person.
Parts of a Course Outline
Course Description
The course outline gives you a general overview of what you’ll be learning and doing in the course, plus anything else the instructor would like you to know.
Instructor Contact Information
Your instructor will provide their contact information such as name, email address, and office hours, so you know how to reach them when you have questions, want to meet, or share information with them.
Course Materials
This is a list of material required like textbooks, library materials, or other items such as safety gear. You can buy required textbooks online through the NSCC Bookstore or in-person at your Campus Bookstore.
If you buy your textbooks before class, do not remove the wrapper until you speak with your instructor in case they have selected a free Open Educational Resource (OER).
Tentative Schedule of Topics, Classes, and Assignments (may change)
Add information, such as class times, assignment due dates, tests, etc. to your scheduling device (planner, calendar, online schedule). In the next chapter, you’ll learn strategies to create a weekly and semester based schedule to keep track of important deadlines.
Assignments
Assignment topics and due dates are scheduled in advance so you can plan your work, research, and study. Your course outline may also include some guidelines that indicate what’s required for each assignment, and how the assignments will be graded. Rubrics and checklists must be referenced for assignments and projects to ensure that you meet the required criteria.
Tests and Exams
Put your test dates in your calendar as soon as you receive them. Use this information to plan your study times so you’re prepared for any tests and can avoid cramming at the last minute.
Policies
It’s important to be aware of NSCC’s policies regarding class conduct, late assignments, and plagiarism. Make sure you understand the policies mentioned in your course outline.
- NSCC Policies and Procedures can be read or downloaded on CONNECT.
(NSCC Office 365 login required.)
Try it!
Using a course outline for 1 of your classes, try to find the following information:
- What textbook(s) or course material(s) you’ll need for class.
- What assignments you’ll need to complete and what will be required.
- When your tests are scheduled.
- Your instructor’s contact information.
A guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring academic papers, projects, or tests. [1]