Generally in college, do the professors...?

Question

Do the professors hand out a syllabus telling you what textbooks you will need for the semester?
If not, how do we know which textbooks to buy? Do they list them on the internet and we have to look it up ourselves?

Thanks everyone. I'll probably get the textx before the first day of class but after i move in. i goto a university thats in a different city... a few hundred miles away... ^-^;;

Answer 1

The syllabus should tell you what textbooks are needed for the class. Some teachers may have a personal website or your college's website may tell you what books you need for the class. If you want to buy the books before classes start, the easiest thing to do is to simply go to the college's bookstore and tell the people working there what classes you have. They will tell you what books you need and where they're located in the store. Sometimes they may even walk around the store and get the books for you themselves and hand them to you when they're finished. But if you don't want to buy them from the bookstore because you can't get there or think you can find cheaper prices, there are a few options. You could call the college and ask them to tell you what books the classes need and then you can look up the titles and ISBNs online. Or if you know someone who went to the school and had those classes or someone who has the classes you have and bought books already to tell you the titles and ISBNs so you can get the books online. But you will be told what books you need either on orientation, sometime in the mail, or on the first day of class if you can't or don't want to get books in advance. But remember- don't wait too long! Other people need the books too and there are only so many!

Answer 2

In most states, professors are require to hand out a syllabus that should include the books needed, among other things.

Often, you can go to the campus book store ahead of time. They'll list the books you need for a class on little cards, and then you can order the books for cheaper online... though you'd probably be cutting it a bit close by now.

Answer 3

It would depend on the college. But at my college, the materials are listed on the class syllabus. They are also listed on the school's online bookstore website. Students can look up their books by course code and section. I have a biology class, so for that I could look under classes starting with B, then look for BIO110, and from there the particular section. If we want to buy the books in person, the actual bookstore also labels the shelves by academic subject and then breaks it down by course code. So students can grab the BIO110 books instead of the BIO111 books for example.

Answer 4

Yes, all of my professors gave out a syllabus. If I remember correctly I was somehow able to figure out what books to buy before the first day of class as well. I think the bookstore on campus might have had a list.

Answer 5

It will be posted at the university bookstore before classes start, but most instructors had out a syllabus and at least mention what the required texts are at the first class meeting.

Answer 6

Go to the book store and look at the postings. You can also wait for the syllabus, but if you want to buy used books they may be sold out by then. Used books are not only cheaper, but often have helpful notes in the margins, and relevant parts highlighted.

Answer 7

It is usually on the syllabus, but I always get mine before the first day of class. I just show my schedule to the university's bookstore and they know which books I need and get them for me.

Answer 8

The professors notifiy the bookstore and the bookstore posts them.

You will also get a syllabus which will show the required texts.

Answer 9

If the professors do not advise you on what textbooks to read, then please go and ask them.
Usually, a responsible professor will advise the students on the recommended texts.
You can find the books in a good college library. You may like to borrow them and photostat the relevant chapters, subject to your state's copyright laws.