Syllabus Policy

To describe the required elements of all syllabi at Seneca Polytechnic.

This policy applies to Seneca students and all employees responsible for creating syllabi.

Provides class section-specific details about a course, such as instructor information, the mode of delivery, the class days and times and the planned schedule of topics and assessments.

It also includes prescribed texts, reference material and required supplies.

General information about a course, including its code, title and description, prerequisites, learning outcomes, essential employability skills (if applicable), course topics, modes of evaluation and references to applicable policies. (See Related Policies). 

The documentation of a course’s purpose, learning outcomes, essential employability skills, sequence of instruction, delivery mode(s), resources and evaluation criteria.

Syllabi contain both course-level content and class-level content.

1. Syllabi document the curriculum at the course level and class section level.
2. Syllabi support the learning process by identifying course learning requirements, learning activities and learning resources, as well as the evaluation framework planned to assess student achievement.
3. Syllabi are designed to:
   • identify course topics, assessments, modes of evaluation and timelines 
   • demonstrate that course learning activities and assessments are aligned with course learning outcomes
   • support the program quality assurance/accreditation process
   • comply with Ministry Program Standards and the Minister’s Binding Policy Directive Framework for Programs of Instruction
   • evaluate internal and external academic pathways
4. Syllabi are the property of Seneca.
5. Seneca will maintain the current approved syllabi for each course.
6. Courses with the same title and course code will have the same course-level content, regardless of program or delivery methods.
7. Syllabi will contain class-level content specific to the class section.

1. Faculty will create the syllabus for classes they are teaching each term and ensure that the Schedule of Topics and Assessments section aligns with the course-level requirements listed in the syllabus.
2. Students will become familiar with the contents of the syllabus and can discuss with the faculty any areas where clarification is required.
3. Students are responsible for retaining course syllabi for any future academic requirements.

1. Syllabi will be in an accessible format and made available to students on Seneca’s learning management system one week prior to the beginning of the term and no later than the first day of classes (subject to change pending teaching assignments).
2. All syllabi will be available on Seneca’s website.
3. The Registrar’s Office will make every reasonable effort to fulfill requests for past syllabi.

1. The course- and class-level elements of a syllabi will be reviewed at the time of program formative review or as needed by the appropriate academic school(s), in advance of critical dates.

• Appendix: Required Elements of a Syllabus

• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Appeal Policy
• Accessibility Policy
• Accessible Learning Services Policy
• Behavioural Intervention Team (BIT) Policy
• Compulsory Program Auxiliary Fee Policy
• Free Speech Policy
• General Education Policy
• Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Policy
• Grading Policy
• Inclusion Policy
• Learn@Seneca Minimum Requirements Policy
• Liberal Studies Policy
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Policy
• Recording Educational Activities Policy
• Sexual Violence Policy
• Student Assessment Policy
• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Progression and Promotion Policy
• Transfer Credit Policy

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
• Ministry Program Standards and the Minister’s Binding Policy Directive Framework for Programs of Instruction
• O. Reg. 34/03, Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002

1. The course-level content contains the following elements:
   • course code and title
   • course description
   • prerequisites
   • coursee learning outcomes
   • course essential employability skills learning outcomes (for diploma- and certificate-level courses only)
   • course topics
   • modes of evaluation
   • Missed Tests/Late Assessments statement
   • Feedback on Assessments statement
   • the following Seneca policies
     • Academic Integrity Policy
     • Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Policy
     • Grading Policy
     • Recording Educational Activities Policy
     • Student Assessment Policy
     • Student Progression and Promotion Policy
2. The class-level content contains the following elements:
   • section code and class number
   • instructor information (visible to enrolled students only)
   • days and times (visible to enrolled students only)
   • delivery mode
   • prescribed texts, or reference to no textbook required
   • reference material (required and recommended) (if applicable)
   • required supplies (if applicable)
   • how and when course topics will be delivered and evaluated and the relative weight of each assessment
   • treatment of failed or missed tests or assignments; any exceptional requirements for attendance and participation
   • any other information relevant to the section (e.g., hours and/or means of consultation; detailed grading/feedback schemes; learning materials; audio/videotaping as methods for learning and/or evaluation additional learning resources/equipment, etc.)

Approval Date: May 2018

Last Revision: February 2025