University of South Carolina Preparing for the Course Jamil A. Khan, Ph.D., P.E. Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering

University of South Carolina Preparing for the Course l You may stop me at any time and ask questions. l How do you think you can prepare for a course? u Stay one day ahead of the students? l What questions would you like answered?

University of South Carolina Preparing for a Class l Find-out about the course u Read the catalog description of the class u Has anyone else in the department taught the class u Talk to them and find-out the topics covered by them l Find out about the Students (their motivation and back- ground) u Who are taking the class u Is it a required class for them u What are their academic back-ground? l Choose a Text Book!!! u Reference Materials ( Put some on reserve in the library) u Lab-manual

University of South Carolina Preparing for Class l How much time do I spend preparing for the class? u Time management l Should I make class notes and teach from the class notes? u Yes and No l I do an excellent job of teaching, and receive excellent student evaluations. I maintain open door policy, I am available to students almost always. Am I doing all my duties very successfully? u The above may provide a false sense of security but the answer is No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! l So, does that mean I should not care about teaching? u Again the answer is no!!!

University of South Carolina Preparing a Syllabus l How to prepare a syllabus l Elements to be included in the syllabus l Developing a class schedule l Example of a class-syllabus

University of South Carolina Syllabus l Syllabus is a written expectation for the course l The class-syllabus is your first communication with your students l Should be carefully planned and prepared l A carefully prepared detailed syllabus may prevent potential conflict during the semester l Consider all logistics that may impact the course u Laboratory (availability) u Oral presentation (Room and audio-visual equipment reservation) u Holidays l Class policies should be explicit u Absences u In rare cases a disgruntled student may take legal recourse

University of South Carolina Contents of the Syllabus l Class information u Class title u Meeting time l Objectives of the class l Contact Information u Phone, , office location, office hour l List of required text/texts and optional reference materials l Grading Policy l I like to include what I expect in homework solutions u Paper, graph-paper, lab-report etc. (why? As long as the student has correct answers why care?)

University of South Carolina Contents of the Syllabus (contd.) l Schedule of Quizzes, exams, presentations l Should include how grades will be determined u Homework u Quizzes u Final Exam u Projects u Term papers u Lab reports l Announce General grading policies u Missing exams u Late HW submissions l Policies on Classroom conduct and attendance l STATEMENT REGARDING ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY AND INTEGRITY (Carolina Community Student Handbook) u Rule of academic responsibility: STAR 6.25 (excerpt) u “It is the responsibility of every student at the University of South Carolina Columbia to adhere steadfastly to truthfulness and to avoid dishonesty, fraud, or deceit of any type in connection with any academic program. Any student who violates this rule shall be subject to discipline.”

University of South Carolina Academic Integrity l “I understand that it is the responsibility of every member of the Carolina Community to uphold and maintain the academic standards and integrity of the University of South Carolina. Any member of University community, who has reasonable grounds to believe that an infraction of the Code of Student Academic Responsibility has occurred, has an obligation to report the alleged violation I certify that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this examination”

University of South Carolina Grades and Syllabus l Choose contents that will achieve core class objectives l Make schedule flexible l Student suggestion for certain topics

University of South Carolina Syllabus Format l Many types of Format u Show the example l Consider Posting your syllabus on the Web u Blackboard

University of South Carolina Office hours l Is it good to have open door policy?

University of South Carolina First Day of Class l Proper attire l Introduce yourself l Ask the students to introduce themselves l Be positive and upbeat l Go over the syllabus u Get student input l Discuss your class expectations u Academic u Conduct and Courtesy l Discuss potential deviation from the syllabus l Start on the subject matter and I assign homework!!

University of South Carolina Getting Started (contd.) l Learning names u Takes time, but it is worth the effort l Showing respect to the students u Respect can be shown by action

University of South Carolina Getting Started (contd.) (first day) l Establish yourself as the moderator/leader of the class (on the first day? Yes!!). ( I mean be in-charge, be confident, at the same time do not come across as being arrogant and haughty) u How do you do this? l Make the students feel they belong in the class, and that they are a part of the class. For that matter the most important part of the class. u How do you do this?