Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about adding, updating, and finding syllabi. Don’t see your question? Email eberly-assist@andrew.cmu.edu.
What is the Syllabus Registry?
Carnegie Mellon's central collection of course syllabi. Every section offered each semester is listed, with its syllabus available once one has been added.
Who can see the syllabi?
Anyone can see the list of courses and whether each has a syllabus. Anyone with an Andrew ID (faculty, staff, students, etc.) can sign in to see instructor names and view the syllabi.
How do I add my syllabus?
Two ways, and both end up in the same place: upload a file at syllabus-registry.tli.cmu.edu, or open Syllabus Registry in your Canvas course's navigation, and pick your Syllabus tab, a page, or a file. See the step-by-step instructor guide.
When should I add my syllabus?
The earlier the better. Students look for syllabi as they choose and settle into their courses, so the first day of class is a good target. You can always replace it later if things change.
I teach several sections. Do I need to upload for each one?
No. Select every section the syllabus covers and upload once. If different sections use different syllabi, upload each one and select only its sections.
How do I update or replace my syllabus?
Select Replace syllabus in My Courses, or re-select it in Canvas. The newest syllabus replaces the previous one. If you linked a Canvas page or your Syllabus tab and then edited it significantly, re-select it: the registry keeps a copy of what you chose at the time you chose it.
What file types can I use?
Any document up to 20 MB, such as a PDF or Word file; PDF works best for readers. Zip and other archive files aren't accepted.
My syllabus is on a website. What should I do?
Use your browser’s Print > Save as PDF and upload the PDF. If the syllabus spans several pages, combine them into one PDF or save the page with the key information (format, learning objectives, major assignments and assessments), and make sure the course web address appears in the document.
Can a TA add the syllabus?
Yes, from Canvas. Anyone with a Teacher, TA, or Designer role in the Canvas course can open Syllabus Registry and link the syllabus. Uploading on the web is limited to the instructors listed for the section in the course schedule, so a TA without Canvas access can send the file to the instructor or the department administrator.
What if both the instructor and the department administrator add a syllabus?
The most recent one is what the registry shows, regardless of who added it.
What about courses that don't have a syllabus?
Independent studies, internships, research, and similar sections can be set to No Syllabus Expected by the department administrator.
Do department administrators have to set No Syllabus Expected every semester?
Usually not. When sections are created in the registry for a new semester, it looks back up to a year for a matching section id and title. If the most recent match was No Syllabus Expected, the new section starts out that way too. Otherwise, or if there's no match in the past year, it starts as Syllabus Unavailable. This inheritance only happens at the time a section first appears for a new semester.
What about different sections, campuses, and cross-listed courses?
Every section is its own entry, so each one can have its own syllabus or share one. Cross-listed courses appear once under each department’s course number (for example, both 15-xxx and 05-xxx). When you upload, select every section you teach under every number; department administrators can do the same for their department’s numbers.
My course or section is missing or wrong.
The registry’s course list comes from the university’s course schedule and is refreshed regularly. If a section is still missing or has the wrong instructor, contact your department administrator or email eberly-assist@andrew.cmu.edu.
When does a new semester open?
Each semester opens in the registry when the Canvas course request form is made available.
Can I see syllabi from past semesters?
Yes. Choose a semester in the filters to browse its syllabi.