Canvas, Class Syllabus & Textbooks

Canvas access & course syllabus

Most courses utilize the web-based learning system Canvas. If you are new to Canvas or want a refresher, watch this six-minute video Getting Started in Canvas for Students and check out the helpful Student Guides.

In addition, before your course starts, we’ll give you access to an optional short training: "Cornell SCE Precollege Studies Orientation.” Here, you’ll be able to explore Canvas features, review orientation materials, and complete a virtual scavenger hunt.

Generally, your instructor will contact you about two days before your class starts at your Cornell email address (your NetID@cornell.edu) with instructions for accessing the course syllabus, lectures, assignments, tests, homework, and additional information on Canvas.

Note that your course's Canvas site will not open until a few days before your class start date. Be sure to check your emails from Cornell frequently for updates.

If you have trouble accessing Canvas, contact their support team.

Purchasing course textbooks & materials

Please begin by reviewing your course syllabus to determine if textbooks or other course materials are required. You can find your course syllabus on your course Canvas site, which is generally published a few days before the start of classes.

If your course requires an eTextbook, please note the textbook name, author's name, ISBN (if provided), publisher, and edition. Then visit The Cornell Store to purchase your eTextbooks.

You’ll have several purchase/rental options (e.g., 180 days, one year, lifetime).

Check your class description for any additional required materials.

Communicating with your instructor

To contact your instructor, click on the link for your course and locate the "Instructor" field.

Note the instructor's NetID (such as "ewe1") and send an email to this NetID followed by "@cornell.edu." For instance, in this example, your email would go to "ewe1@cornell.edu".

If an instructor is not listed, check back in a week or two for updates.

Instructor email information can also be located by searching for their name or NetID in the Cornell Directory.

When sending email messages to your instructor, please use your Cornell NetID email.