Department number (e.g., ABC199)
Course Title
Registration #12345
UB Seminar - 3 credits
Course Information
Date(s)/Time(s)
Location
3 credits
Instructor(s) names and contact information (including office hour information when applicable)
Other relevant persons (when applicable) and contact information (including office hour information when applicable)
Course Description
Should conform to the official description for the course. If a UB Seminar description needs revision, then a new course description may be submitted to the Office of General Education. Course descriptions for UB Seminars should reflect the spirit of the program by focusing on a “Big Idea” or problem. Titles and descriptions should also sound exciting to potential students. Faculty are encouraged to think creatively about how to “pitch” their course to first-year students. What you include here is what will be advertised to students when they are selecting their top UB Seminar choices.
Student Learning Outcomes
Having completed a UB Seminar, students will be able to:
Course Learning Outcome / Delivered through the Following Instructional Method(s): / Student Achievement Assessed with the Following Method(s)/Assignments: /1. Think critically using multiple modes of inquiry.
2. Analyze disciplinary content to identify contexts, learn fresh perspectives, and debate and discuss problems in the field.
3. Understand and apply the methods of close reading, note taking, analysis, and synthesis.
4. Recognize and debate ethical issues and academic integrity in a variety of settings.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in oral discourse and written communication.
6. Develop essential research and study skills such as time management.
7. Utilize the ePortfolio for at least one assignment.
8. Understand the academic expectations pertaining to studentship at the University at Buffalo and to higher learning at a research university.
Course Requirements
· The number of papers, tests, and any other requirements, such as homework, attendance, class participation, laboratory assignments, and clinical performance, that will count toward the final grade.
· A brief description of each assignment and how it fulfills the learning outcomes. A single assignment may be used to assess more than one learning outcome, and an outcome may be assessed on more than one assignment. These descriptions may be given in chart form (see above), or in another form the proposer chooses. For examples, see the Sample Approved Proposals posted on the UB Curriculum website.
· Deadlines for assignments should also be specified.
· All requirements should relate to the course description and the student learning outcomes.
· It is strongly recommended that students be provided with clear guidelines as to how their work will be evaluated, whether in the form of rubrics, checklists, exemplars, etc. (Any and all courses that fulfill General Education requirements must assess the SUNY-specified student learning outcomes for that particular General Education area.*)
Grading Policy
Students should be apprised of how various graded activities will be combined to form their single, final grade for the course. How results from various requirements will be combined into a final grade: relative weightings, make-up policy for tests, etc. Grading Policies should also include:
· Specification of the level of work must be completed in order to obtain specific letter grades (A-F). Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for the Explanation of Grades.
Learning assessments will be graded based on rubric criteria and weighted according to the following break-down.
Weighting / Assessment / Assignment /xx%
xx%
xx%
100%
Final Grades:
Grade / Quality Points / Percentage (EXAMPLE) /A / 4.0 / 93.0% -100.00%
A- / 3.67 / 90.0% - 92.9%
B+ / 3.33 / 87.0% - 89.9%
B / 3.00 / 83.0% - 86.9%
B- / 2.67 / 80.0% - 82.9%
C+ / 2.33 / 77.0% - 79.9%
C / 2.00 / 73.0% - 76.9%
C- / 1.67 / 70.0% - 72.9%
D+ / 1.33 / 67.0% - 69.9%
D / 1.00 / 60.0% - 66.9%
F / 0 / 59.9 or below
· Also include Reference to the university Undergraduate Incomplete Grade Policy. Which states that
o Any additional instructor requirements and comments regarding the use of incomplete grades.
Incompletes (I/IU)*: A grade of incomplete (“I”) indicates that additional course work is required to fulfill the requirements of a given course. Students may only be given an “I” grade if they have a passing average in coursework that has been completed and have well-defined parameters to complete the course requirements that could result in a grade better than the default grade. An “I” grade may not be assigned to a student who did not attend the course.
Prior to the end of the semester, students must initiate the request for an “I” grade and receive the instructor’s approval. Assignment of an “I” grade is at the discretion of the instructor.
The instructor must specify a default letter grade at the time the “I” grade is submitted. A default grade is the letter grade the student will receive if no additional coursework is completed and/or a grade change form is not filed by the instructor. “I” grades must be completed within 12 months – see the Incomplete Grade Policy for the schedule. Individual instructors may set shorter time limits for removing an incomplete than the 12-month time limit. Upon assigning an “I” grade, the instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing or by electronic mail, of the requirements to be fulfilled, and shall file a copy with the appropriate departmental office.
Students must not re-register for courses for which they have received an “I” grade
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental university value. Through the honest completion of academic work, students sustain the integrity of the university while facilitating the university's imperative for the transmission of knowledge and culture based upon the generation of new and innovative ideas.
· Reference to the university Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy and any additional instructor requirements and comments regarding academic dishonesty.
Accessibility Resources
If you have any disability which requires reasonable accommodations to enable you to participate in this course, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources, 25CapenHall, 645-2608, and also the instructor of this course. The Office of Accessibility Resources will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations.
SAMPLE Course Organization/Schedule (As indicated in the Faculty handbook, finals may not be given during the semester, but rather during the scheduled exam period).
Week # and/orDate / Topic / Required Readings / Assignments(s) / Due Date
Course Materials
· Required and recommended materials, resources, textbooks, and resources citations.
· Availability of course materials or resources can be specified (e.g., items on reserve through the library; use of UBlearns Blackboard site)
Course Fees
The dollar amount of any course-specific fees above and beyond UB tuition and fees, as well as the reason such fees are being assessed.
Optional Components
Attendance Policy
May include reference to:
· Attendance issues related to religious observances
· University sanctioned events
· Athletic commitments
· Family/Work obligations/emergencies
· Course Cancellation/ Emergency Planning
· Reference the university website for cancellations/delays due to weather or other unforeseen events at the
UB Alert page.
Instructor and Course Support Staff Information
· Relevant professional information and/or teaching philosophy.
· Roles and responsibilities of course support staff (i.e., TAs/GAs).
Classroom Decorum
Discussion of classroom expectations, for example tardiness, and/or use of cell phones and laptops.
University Support Services
Students are often unaware of university support services. For example, the Center for Excellence in Writing provides support for written work, and several tutoring centers on campus provide academic success support and resources.
* Undergraduate Only
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