Determine what topics the course will cover during the quarter or semester. Students should learn about the major topics and concepts within the course to use throughout the present class but also to take with them to other classes.
Think about where the class will be placed in terms of what students already know. If it is a prerequisite class, students will have little to no knowledge of the topic. For an advanced class, you will have to write a curriculum as though students already have some knowledge about the topic.
Select the textbook to be used for the course. Make sure that the textbook reflects the course as a whole at your college or university.
Develop the learning objective for the course after you determine the major topics to be taught. Create a list of new concepts the students will learn, how they will be able to apply what they learn to a specific concept or problem and what they should understand by the time the course is over.
Determine how to teach the class so that students of all different learning types will be able to understand and stay engaged in the class. Combine lectures, audio/visual tools and structure into the curriculum. Students like to know what to expect out of each class when they attend college.
Write up the syllabus. The syllabus should explain to students materials needed, course description and objective, and a course calendar outlining special events, project due dates or a general outline of each class lecture/activity.