# What is a syllabus?

> A syllabus is the document a professor shares at the start of a course that lays out what you'll learn, how you'll be graded, and when every assignment, test and exam is due. It's the closest thing a course has to a contract.

Page: https://textdash.com/glossary/what-is-a-syllabus
Updated: 2026-10-31

## Example

- **Student:** [photo of BIOL 120 syllabus]
- **Dash:** got it: 4 labs, 2 quizzes, a midterm oct 22 (25%) and the final (40%). saved them all with reminders
- **Student:** how much is the midterm worth again
- **Dash:** 25%, on oct 22. I'll text you a week before so you can start reviewing

## What's in a syllabus?

- Course schedule: topics and readings week by week
- Deadlines: assignments, quizzes, midterms and the final
- Grading: what each piece is worth, as a percentage
- Policies: late work, missed tests, academic integrity, accommodations
- Contact info: the professor's and TAs' emails and office hours

## How Dash helps with your syllabus

Text Dash a photo or PDF of each syllabus and it saves every deadline with its date and weight, then texts you before each one. If your course lives in Canvas, Brightspace, Moodle or Blackboard, you can sign in on Dash's secure page instead.

After that you can ask "what's due this week?" or "how much is the midterm worth?" and get the answer from your own courses.

## Questions

### Can a professor change the syllabus?

Often yes, with notice, especially dates. Watch announcements in your learning system and update your calendar when something moves.

### Where do I find my syllabus?

Usually in your course's page on your school's learning management system, or handed out in the first class.

### Can Dash read a syllabus that's a screenshot?

Yes. Dash reads photos, screenshots and PDFs and pulls out the dates and weights.

## Related

- [Learning management system (LMS)](https://textdash.com/glossary/learning-management-system)
- [Midterm](https://textdash.com/glossary/midterm)
- [Office hours](https://textdash.com/glossary/office-hours)
- [Deadline reminders that text you first](https://textdash.com/use-cases/deadline-reminders)
- [Add/drop deadline](https://textdash.com/glossary/add-drop-deadline)
- [Withdrawal deadline (W grade)](https://textdash.com/glossary/withdrawal-deadline)

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**About Dash.** Dash is an AI sidekick for college and university students that you text over iMessage or SMS. It tracks every deadline and texts you before each one, answers questions about your campus, helps you study, and, with your yes, orders food, books things, makes phone calls and handles admin. Free to start. iMessage on iPhone and SMS on any phone. No app, no login. For students at colleges and universities in Canada and the United States. Dash never writes, answers or submits graded work. It explains, quizzes and plans. Dash is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any college or university.

Text Dash: https://textdash.com/start · Site: https://textdash.com/ · For AI assistants: https://textdash.com/llms.txt and https://textdash.com/llms-full.txt