Understanding the Dallas College Syllabus: A Comprehensive Guide
A syllabus serves as a fundamental guide for students in any course. In Dallas College, the syllabus outlines specific requirements for a particular course, acting as a roadmap for students throughout the semester. This article provides a comprehensive overview of key aspects related to the Dallas College syllabus, drawing from official college resources and procedures.
Key Terms and Definitions
To effectively navigate the Dallas College system, understanding specific terms is essential. Here's a breakdown of important definitions:
- Admission: The process of being admitted to Dallas College.
- Audit: The opportunity to enroll in a credit course without receiving academic credit.
- Baccalaureate Degree: All baccalaureate degrees conferred by Dallas College are based on the satisfactory completion of specific authorized degree programs comprising a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. Baccalaureate degrees are awarded for completion of an undergraduate program of study. The School of Education currently offers a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
- Career Pathway (formerly Tech-Prep): An educational process where Dallas College and the public high school districts cooperatively develop and implement a planned sequence of courses to prepare students for technologically advanced careers.
- Career and Technical Courses: Courses that are designed to aid the student in developing skills to be used in the job market and that lead to a certificate or Associate of Applied Science Degree in a technical or occupational program. These courses are designed to aid the student in developing entry-level skills to be used in the job market.
- Catalog: The official listing of courses and programs students can select from to earn certificates, associate degrees or bachelor of applied science degree. Dallas College Catalog also includes general information about the college and also specifies the policies and procedures enforced by the college. When a new college catalog is published annually, the catalog is classified as current, active or historic. A current catalog is one that is published for students’ use in the current academic year. An active catalog includes the current catalog and the previous four years of catalogs that still have shelf life. A historic catalog is one that is older than five years and has been frozen in time. Current, active and historic catalogs are available to students online.
- Common Course Numbers: Since Fall 1995, the Common Course Number has been used for the same course by a number of colleges throughout Texas to help students identify how a course will transfer.
- Course Time Limitation: Some designated courses have age or time limitations. COSC 1300, COSC 1309, COSC 1315, COSC 1317, COSC 1320, COSC 1401, COSC 1415, COSC 1430, COSC 1436, COSC 1437, COSC 2415, COSC 2425, COSC 2430, COSC 2436, BCIS 1405 and BCIS 1431 are good for ten (10) years only. If taken prior to that time the course will not be utilized to fulfill degree/certificate requirements. (For example: If you took COSC 1300 in the Fall of 2003, that course was only good until Fall 2013 to fulfill degree/certificate requirements.
- Credit Hours/Semester Hours: The number of credits awarded for successfully completing a course(s). This number is determined by the type of class and the number of hours it meets per week.
- Dallas College: Established in Summer 2020, Dallas College is a single-accredited college that has seven campuses (Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland). Dallas College received its accreditation approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is subject to the policies established by the Dallas College Board of Trustees.
- DCCCD: Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) is the former name of Dallas College. The former college was often times referred to by its acronym, DCCCD. The former college consisted of a body of seven-individually accredited colleges - Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland.
- Developmental Studies Courses: Courses that develop prerequisite skills in reading, writing and mathematics.
- Dropping a Course: The act of officially withdrawing from a particular course without penalty before a specified date. See the Academic Calendar for 2023 - 2024 in Dallas College catalog for “Last Day to Withdraw.” It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course by the date published. Effective Fall 2004 semester, students may have to pay a higher rate tuition for the third or subsequent time they attempt a course. Students should take care in dropping a course as any future retake of that course may result in a higher tuition. Effective Fall 2007 semester, a first-time freshman student who enrolls in a Texas public institution of higher education during the fall semester of 2007 or thereafter may drop no more than six (6) college-level courses unless the drop qualifies as an exception.
- Early College High Schools (ECHS): Innovative high schools that enable students, who are considered at-risk or first generation, the opportunity to attend college and high school simultaneously, and to earn a high school diploma and up to 60 college-credit hours or an Associate degree.
- eCampus: Courses offered online are sometimes referred to as “eCampus” courses.
- eConnect: eConnect is a web application that allows you to plan your schedule, search, register/drop and pay for your credit classes, buy books, order transcripts, view your grades and access your personal/financial information online. You must meet certain eligibility criteria to register online. All students are eligible to search or pay for credit classes and access their personal/financial information using eConnect.
- Electives: Courses that do not count toward a major but are required for most college degrees.
- Embedded Course: A course which is shorter in length than the regular semester in which the course is scheduled.
- Flexible-Entry Course: A course with beginning and ending dates that are different from the regular semester.
- GPA: Grade Point Average (GPA). Two different ways of computing a GPA are utilized.
- IncludED: IncludED is a collaborative initiative between Dallas College and our campus bookstore partner, Follett.
- Major: The subject or field of study in which the student plans to specialize.
- Non-Degree Credit Course: A course which may not be counted toward a degree or certificate.
- Non-Standard Term Course: A course which has a different starting date than the regular semester and the ending date of the course is after the ending date of that semester.
- Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH): Innovative high schools that bring together the best elements of high school, college and the professional world. P-TECH enables students to begin their college and professional lives more quickly and with more support than the typical school-to-work pathway through the supportive efforts of the high school, college and the industry partner.
- Performance Grade: A grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F.” This does not include the grades of “W,” “I,” “E” or “WX”.
- Prerequisite (Recommended): Course(s) that provide students with further instructions or additional information essential to student success. Students are not prevented from registering for courses that have a recommended prerequisite.
- Prerequisite (Required): A requirement that must be met before registering for a specified course.
- Probation: A warning to a student whose academic work or individual behavior is unsatisfactory.
- Registration: The official process of meeting all enrollment requirements.
- Syllabus (Syllabi): A guide identifying the specific requirements for a particular course.
- Technical/Occupational Courses: Courses that are designed to aid the student in developing skills to be used in workforce.
- Transfer Courses: Courses that are designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. Students need to consult with a Dallas College campus Transfer Liaison about the transferability of specific courses. Because a course will transfer does not mean it will apply toward a specific major or degree at a four-year college or university. Dallas College adheres to the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Lower and Upper Division Academic Course Guide Manuals for academic transfer courses.
- Transfer Review: Transfer reviews are only conducted using official transcripts for passing work completed at accredited colleges and universities.
- Transcript: An official copy of a student’s academic record that can be obtained through the Admission/Registrar’s Office.
- Upper-Level Coursework: Courses designated as 3000- and 4000-level that are primarily (but not exclusively) designated for students that have junior- or senior-level standing. Upper-division courses are specialized, in-depth, and advanced, and emphasize problem-solving, analytical thinking skills and theoretical applications.
- Withdrawal: The act of ending enrollment in classes. A student withdrawing must go through a formal procedure. Refer to the Academic Calendar for the “Last Day to Withdraw”. Effective Fall 2004, students may have to pay a higher rate of tuition for the third or more times they attempt a course. It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw by the appropriate date.
- Academic Probation (AP) Restriction: An academic probation restriction occurs when a student’s academic standing drops below a 2.0 Cumulative GPA.
Accessing the Syllabus
Dallas College provides easy access to syllabi through its online platform, eCampus. Once a student logs into eCampus and opens a course, the syllabus can be found in the blue course navigation bar at the top of the course homepage. Selecting the Syllabus tab opens the syllabus in a new browser tab.
Key Components of a Dallas College Syllabus
While the specific content may vary depending on the course and instructor, a typical Dallas College syllabus includes the following essential elements:
- Course Information: This includes the course title, number, section, credit hours, meeting times and location (if applicable).
- Instructor Information: The instructor's name, contact information (email, office phone), office hours, and preferred method of communication are typically provided.
- Course Description: A brief overview of the course content, objectives, and learning outcomes.
- Required Materials: A list of textbooks, software, and other materials required for the course. IncludED is a collaborative initiative between Dallas College and its campus bookstore partner, Follett, which may be relevant here.
- Grading Policy: A detailed explanation of how the student's grade will be calculated, including the weight of each assignment, exam, and project. Performance grades include "A," "B," "C," "D," and "F." Note that "W," "I," "E," and "WX" are not performance grades.
- Course Schedule: A tentative schedule of topics to be covered each week, along with important dates for assignments, quizzes, and exams.
- College Policies: Information on important college policies, such as academic integrity, student conduct, disability services, and attendance.
- Withdrawal Policy: Information about the process and deadlines for withdrawing from the course. It's crucial to refer to the Academic Calendar for the "Last Day to Withdraw." Students should be aware that, effective Fall 2004, they may have to pay a higher tuition rate if they attempt a course for the third or more time. Furthermore, effective Fall 2007, a first-time freshman student who enrolls in a Texas public institution of higher education during the fall semester of 2007 or thereafter may drop no more than six (6) college-level courses unless the drop qualifies as an exception.
- Prerequisites: Any required prerequisites that must be met before registering for the course. There may also be recommended prerequisites, which provide further instructions or additional information essential to student success, though students are not prevented from registering for courses that have a recommended prerequisite.
- Attendance Policy: Outlines the expectations for student attendance and participation in class.
Understanding Course Numbers and Transferability
Dallas College uses a common course numbering system to help students identify how courses will transfer to other colleges throughout Texas. Since Fall 1995, the Common Course Number has been used for the same course by a number of colleges throughout Texas to help students identify how a course will transfer. Transfer courses are designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. Students need to consult with a Dallas College campus Transfer Liaison about the transferability of specific courses. Because a course will transfer does not mean it will apply toward a specific major or degree at a four-year college or university. Dallas College adheres to the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Lower and Upper Division Academic Course Guide Manuals for academic transfer courses. Transfer reviews are only conducted using official transcripts for passing work completed at accredited colleges and universities.
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Course Time Limitations
It is important to be aware of course time limitations. Some designated courses have age or time limitations. COSC 1300, COSC 1309, COSC 1315, COSC 1317, COSC 1320, COSC 1401, COSC 1415, COSC 1430, COSC 1436, COSC 1437, COSC 2415, COSC 2425, COSC 2430, COSC 2436, BCIS 1405 and BCIS 1431 are good for ten (10) years only. If taken prior to that time the course will not be utilized to fulfill degree/certificate requirements. For example, if you took COSC 1300 in the Fall of 2003, that course was only good until Fall 2013 to fulfill degree/certificate requirements.
Academic Standing and Probation
Students should maintain a good academic standing to avoid academic probation. An Academic Probation (AP) Restriction occurs when a student’s academic standing drops below a 2.0 Cumulative GPA. Probation serves as a warning to a student whose academic work or individual behavior is unsatisfactory.
Additional Information
- Dallas College Catalog: The official listing of courses and programs students can select from to earn certificates, associate degrees or bachelor of applied science degree. Dallas College Catalog also includes general information about the college and also specifies the policies and procedures enforced by the college. When a new college catalog is published annually, the catalog is classified as current, active or historic. A current catalog is one that is published for students’ use in the current academic year. An active catalog includes the current catalog and the previous four years of catalogs that still have shelf life. A historic catalog is one that is older than five years and has been frozen in time. Current, active and historic catalogs are available to students online.
- eConnect: eConnect is a web application that allows you to plan your schedule, search, register/drop and pay for your credit classes, buy books, order transcripts, view your grades and access your personal/financial information online. You must meet certain eligibility criteria to register online. All students are eligible to search or pay for credit classes and access their personal/financial information using eConnect.
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS): This site will provide you with information on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do.
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