This page contains a brief summary of the various tools, services, and contacts that you might need during the teaching term. It is designed with the new-to-UBC instructor in mind, but also contains tips and links that will be useful for all APSC members.
The information is presented chronologically with resources arranged in the order that you are likely to need them throughout the term.
Before the Term
What Do I Need to Know?
Check out the Guide to Teaching for New Faculty in APSC for a detailed introduction to teaching, course design, procedures, and services that can help you be successful in your first term and year at UBC.
Create your syllabus using the UBC template, plus the local standards within your unit. Some common items to include are:
- Basic information about the course and instructor contact information
- Course learning objectives
- Expectations and policies around academic integrity and student misconduct
- Procedures for missed classes and accommodations
- Assessment/grading criteria
- Major dates and deadlines
Interested in making your syllabus more learner-centred? Request a consultation with CIS and/or check out the CTLT’s “Learner-centred Syllabus Toolkit” resource.
Which Systems Do I Use?
Getting a Class List
Starting in September 2024, your class list will be located in Workday. Faculty can use Workday and the Final Grade Submission Tool for grades and grade changes (more details on grade submission to follow).
Communicating with Students in Your Class
The messaging facility in Canvas
- Messages can be sent to select students or to the entire class
- Messages sent through this system will remain in the Canvas system and you may receive copies to your local email address depending on your notification settings in Canvas
- Messages sent through Canvas will not be logged in the student information system (Workday) and will not be visible to administrators
The Student Communications Tool (see Resources for Faculty and Instructors for more information)
- This is a new tool being used for the first time in September 2024 (for those who have prior UBC teaching experience, this tool replaces the “Faculty Service Centre” or FSC)
- Messages sent from this tool will be recorded and accessible to administrators with appropriate access (e.g. student services advisors)
Setting Up a Course Website
Canvas is our campus-wide learning management system and integrated within Canvas are a variety of useful teaching tools that can be enabled. Visit CIS’s Teaching Tools and Resources page for more information on the tools available and typical use cases.
Need More Information or Resources on the New Changes to Workday?
Visit the Training Hub for Instructors to view training documentation relevant to the actions instructors will be performing in Workday. This website will continue to be updated with materials as they become available.
Who Can I Contact?
Have questions on what technology to select for your course or need help setting something up in Canvas? Support and advice can be requested from the following units:
More specific information and a glimpse of services can be found on each unit’s website.
Middle of the Term
Canvas/Technology Help
Having Canvas and/or technology issues? Contact CIS at any time using our request forms or email us directly at learning@apsc.ubc.ca.
Academic Accommodations
Instructors have an obligation to follow accommodations and to identify concerns about a student in distress, but they should never feel alone in managing these situations. Resources such as Engineering Academic Services (EAS), the Centre for Accessibility, Early Alert, unit wellness liaisons, and counselling services are available to help.
Academic In-term Concessions
Academic in-term concessions are at the discretion of the instructor. These are intended to help students manage brief interruptions in their ability to complete their assessments due to illness or other time-limited causes. Example concessions might include an extension on an assignment, excusing an assignment, moving the weight of a quiz or midterm to the final exam, or similar.
- It is recommended to put details of any course policies regarding concessions in your syllabus
- Note that medical documentation is not required for first-time requests
- Speak to your student services office if you have any questions about departmental or school policies that might be relevant
For more information specific to each APSC School, visit our reference list below.
Academic Misconduct
Carol Jaeger (Associate Dean, Academic) is available to support questions about managing academic misconduct for APSC courses at the UBC Vancouver campus.
Mid-Course Student Feedback
Looking to gather formative feedback before the Student Experience of Instruction (SEI) survey comes out? Consider implementing an informal mid-course evaluation.
Tips on how to craft your questions and examples can be found on the UBC Mid-Course Feedback website or contact CIS for more personalized support.
END OF TERM
Final Assessments
Exams are scheduled centrally and you will be asked at the start of the term to indicate whether your course includes a final exam.
- Note that all junior level courses (100 and 200 level) are expected to have a final exam
- Formal examinations may not be held in the two weeks prior to the end of the term. Quizzes, if held regularly throughout the term, are exempt.
- An exam schedule will be published in approximately Week 7 of the term
- Student requests to defer a final exam are processed and approved by Student Services. Instructors who receive these requests should always refer students back to the appropriate advising unit.
For more information specific to each APSC School, visit the reference list below.
Grades Submissions
- Effective for 2024W1, final grades will be submitted using the Final Grades Submission Tool
- Check with your unit to see if there are any local rules and/or special procedures for submission. For example, engineering departments generally have a grades approval process.
- After final grades are approved, exams must be kept in a secure place for one year. Please contact your specific unit for more information on their expectations.
List of APSC Student Services & Resources
School of Engineering: https://academicservices.engineering.ubc.ca/academic-advising/
School of Nursing (SoN): https://nursing.ubc.ca/undergraduate/support-for-bsn-students
School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA): https://sala.ubc.ca/administration/#student-services
School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP): https://scarp.ubc.ca/resources