Course Material Request
A quick and easy way for instructors to request their required course materials for each term, or to declare their course as Zero Textbook Cost.
Each term, instructors can submit a request to the Bookstore for all of the course material required to deliver their courses in the upcoming term.
Beginning Fall 2026, course materials will be delivered to students through Course Material Access. To allow for further testing and ensure a smooth transition to the Follett application, instructors will continue to submit their requests through VerbaCollect. Course material requests will shift to the new Follett portal in the future, and more information will be shared before that change takes place.
Course Material Access
Beginning Fall 2026, digital and printed course material will be offered to undergraduate students through Course Material Access for a flat rate per term. Course material will primarily be delivered digitally through Canvas, with print being available for pickup at the Bookstore if digital options are unavailable.
Included in the program is material requested through the Bookstore, such as textbooks, literature, online publisher courseware, most lab manuals, coursepacks and software applications.
Not included are lab supplies, art and stationary supplies, chemistry lab manuals, uniforms or other non-text items.
Please submit all required course material through the Bookstore to:
- Ensure students have access to their course material on day one so they don’t fall behind.
- Avoid the surprise costs of course material not delivered through Course Material Access.
- Allow students to make a clear decision to stay in or opt out of Course Material Access.
Zero Textbook Cost
Zero Textbook Cost means a student does not incur any costs to access course material for that course and is a great way to increase the accessibility of learning materials for all students. Approaches include Open Educational Resources, licensed and royalty-free content and reading lists.
If your class is Zero Textbook Cost, select “No Text Required” in your request so:
- The course can be accurately labeled as Zero Textbook Cost in Bear Tracks.
- Students will have the fee waived if none of their digital or printed course materials have a cost associated with them.
Coursepacks
Coursepacks must be requested through SUBprint with a completed Copyright Review Form, including reprints. In your course material request, use the “Add Coursepack” option. Coursepacks will appear in the Bookstore's online booklist after they have passed the copyright review.
Select "Reset my password” to complete your registration for the first time.
Deadlines
Submitting your course materials by the dates below ensures they are available to undergraduate students on the first day of class. However, the Bookstore will do their best to accommodate all course material requests until the start of term.
- Spring: March 15
- Summer: May 15
- Fall: June 15
- Winter: October 15
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I submit a request?
View the training video on how to submit a course material request. Do not hesitate to contact us using the form below for assistance.
How should I inform my students about Course Material Access?
Update your syllabus with a description of Course Material Access. On day one, inform students how to access the course material by navigating to canvas.ualberta.ca > Profile > Course Material Access.
How is course material information used?
Course material data is shared with certain campus groups, such as the Students' Union, Library, Registrar's Office and Copyright Office to allow each group to support student success in their own fundamental ways.
Does Course Material Access limit what an instructor can request?
Instructors maintain academic freedom to choose their preferred course materials through Course Material Access, though are encouraged to consider Zero Textbook Cost approaches by using licensed library material and the adoption and development of Open Educational Resources, which are freely accessible and customizable learning resources that reduce costs for students.
Questions or concerns?
Please reach out to us using the contact form below and we’ll reply as soon as possible.