Course Syllabus

PHYS 2015 (Spring 2022) General Physics Lab I with a Life Science Focus

Course Description

Updated on May 12th, 2022

Welcome to PHYS 2015 - General Physics Lab I with a Life Science Focus

Credit hours: 1

Course website:  https://utah.instructure.com/courses/780077

Location: Crocker Science Center Room 022 (basement)

This laboratory class, the first in a series of two, will focus on the physics relevant to living things, and will be held in one of the teaching labs in the Crocker Science Center - CSC 022. 

Given the nature of this lab course, attendance is required and adjustments cannot be granted to allow non-attendance.  However, if you need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy due to a disability, please contact the Center for Disability and Access (CDA).  CDA will work with us to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.  

DISCLAIMER:  DUE TO THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING SITUATION CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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The lab room has a strict policy of NO FOOD OR DRINK, as well as CLOSE-TOED SHOES only. Thank you for your consideration in respecting the lab norms.


The laboratories are run in a community lab style that will allow you to work together in groups of 4 students on experiments.  You can find more information about how these labs will be organized and graded on the community lab page. Normally (i.e., pre-COVID) lab groups would be changed a few times during the semester to give students an opportunity to collaborate with different classmates.  During COVID, however, we think there may be some value to keeping groups more stable, so we will maintain original group assignments unless any student requests a change, in which case the entire section will be shuffled into new groups (to maintain the anonymity of the requestor).

Laboratories will cover three investigations, each lasting three weeks. Over the course of an investigation, you and your group will go through a lab warm-up/tutorial activity, design a plan to conduct the investigation, collect, analyze, and interpret data, formulate an argument about a guiding question based on the results on your investigations, present to classmates, and prepare a final lab report and/or visual poster.

The teaching staff and myself are very aware that this course is taking place as the COVID-19 delta and omicron variants prolong the pandemic.  As you likely know, the university cannot mandate that students vaccinate and/or wear masks; for more complete details of the University of Utah's positions on this, please reference the "COVID-19 Campus Guidelines" section below.

That said, there are several steps we will be taking to maximize everyone's safety and give peace of mind during these times.

1.) The teaching staff (your TAs, LAs, and myself, should the situation arise) will model good behavior and be sure and wear masks indoors, even if vaccinated, as per the most recent CDC guidelines.

2.) A full selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be available to you in the lab.  We will provide surgical masks, nitrile gloves of all sizes, and sanitizing materials.  While in the lab, we encourage all of you to wear one of the provided masks.  If you have your own, we ask that you swap it out for one of our fresh, disposable masks to ensure cleanliness.

3.) At the beginning and end of each section, your TAs/LAs will instruct you to sanitize your workstations and equipment for the next group.  

4.) If you become ill, we encourage you to stay home and quarantine yourself for the safety of others.  If this happens, please let you TAs and the course instructor know ASAP of the situation.

5.) For many of the lab's meeting days, it may suffice for you to meet with your group virtually via Zoom and collaborate online.  However, please note that you cannot expect that virtual experience to exactly mirror what would occur in the lab environment.  On days when data must be taken (this will occur at least 3 times throughout the semester), you will be required to be in the lab as there is just no way to facilitate this virtually.

This these policies in place, I am confident that we can have a safe, productive, and fulfilling lab experience.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Davenport via Canvas or by email at kevin.davenport@utah.edu.

    Course Objectives

In these labs, you will:

  • Learn physics relevant to microscopic and living systems;
  • Use 21st century physics tools and software;
  • Deal with data-rich environments;
  • Collaborate and work effectively with different groups of classmates; and
  • Learn how to design the steps to an experimental investigation, interpret data, engage in argumentation, and write formal scientific reports.  In particular, you will experience and develop expertise with the following scientific practices, with emphasis on the bolded items: 
    1. Developing Research Questions
    2. Using Diagrams, Drawings, Mathematics, etc., to Model Physical Phenomena
    3. Developing and Implementing a Design Plan
    4. Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting Experimental Data
    5. Using Mathematics, Statistics, and Computational Skills to Represent Data and Relationships
    6. Extracting Scientific Meaning from Experimentally Analyzed Data
    7. Engaging in Argumentation using the CER Framework
    8. Communicating Results and Providing/Receiving Constructive Feedback

PHYS 2015 generally covers concepts of mechanical motion, including 1-D and 2-D kinematics, forces and dynamics, diffusion, motion under constant force, and directed motion under drag forces.

Goals and Objectives: In this course, our hope is that you will learn how physics principles can be used to explore and explain biological systems.  This is the first of a two-semester lab sequence that includes PHYS 2015 and PHYS 2025.  These courses are loosely associated with the corresponding lecture courses (PHYS 2010 and 2020), which must be taken prior to (or at the same time as) the lab courses, but we make no explicit attempt to synchronize the topics between the lecture and laboratory courses

This lab will likely proceed differently than many labs you may have taken in the past.  The overall goal of a physics lab course is exploring physics topics through data collection and analysis.  Emphasis is given to the collection of data and the use of software/hardware to achieve that goal.  The emphasis is NOT necessarily the mastery of the theoretical topics in physics; those are best left to the lecture course.

What sets this course apart is our emphasis on the research-driven scientific practices wherein you learn the structure of a scientific investigation and how to proceed through that process from beginning to end.  In other labs, you may have had the experience of working through a series of questions rather formulaically and then writing up a synopsis of the end result; that is not this class.  In your labs, which we refer to as investigations, you and your group will be given a foundational set of physics information and a collection of tools (both hardware and software) and it is your job to build a custom investigation.  Within the confines provided, you will decide develop a research question, decide on an experimental procedure to follow, what data to collect, and how to interpret that data to answer your question.

You can find out more information about what this kind of community-driven lab is like here: Community Labs: What To Expect.  You will also find this page under the "Supplemental Information" link on the course home page.

    Teaching Team

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Dr. Kevin Davenport
Associate Instructor
Physics & Astronomy Department
Preferred contact:  Canvas
Email (just in case):  kevin.davenport@utah.edu
Office: South Physics 226
Chosen Pronouns:  he, him, his


In this laboratory, you will encounter both undergraduate Learning Assistants (LAs) and graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs).  LAs and TAs are both here to support your learning, but their roles are somewhat distinct.

Teaching Assistants (TAs): They are graduate students who have already completed a Bachelor's degree in Physics (or equivalent for the purpose of the lab content).  TAs receive special training to help support your learning and are responsible for ensuring your lab section runs safely and smoothly. TAs also grade assignments and lab reports, although the course instructor (Dr. Davenport) is ultimately responsible for all grading decisions. Here is the list of TAs for this semester:

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Name: Dalley Cutler

Email: Contact via Canvas

Learning Assistants (LAs):  LAs are undergraduates who may have taken this course previously and who receive special training through the Learning Assistant Program on how to help students learn science. LAs are not responsible for grading assignments and can be thought of as peer mentors. Here is a list of LAs for this semester:

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Name: Abigail Traxler

Email: Contact via Canvas

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Name: Sophie Stevens

Email: Contact via Canvas

 

For questions regarding class logistics, grading etc. always contact your TA first or the course instructor, not your LA.

Please keep in mind that the teaching staff all carry the same authority as the course instructor.  We ask that you treat all members of the team with respect; we will, of course, do the same.

    Course Schedule

University Deadlines:

Classes Begin Monday, May 16th
Last Day to Add Without Code Friday, May 20th
Last Day to Wait List Friday, May 20th
Last Day to Add, Drop, Audit or Elect for CR/NC Wednesday, May 25th
Last Day to Withdraw Friday, June 24th
Last Day to Reverse CR/NC Option Friday, July 29th
Classes End Wednesday, August 3rd
Reading Day Wednesday, April 27
Final Exam Period Thursday - Friday, Aug 4th-5th
Grades Due Monday, August 15th

Holiday/Event Schedule:

The following dates reflect the holiday schedule for PHYS 2015 in Spring of 2022.  You will see the holidays which impact this course (and other dates) listed on the course further down the page and on the course homepage.

Memorial Day Monday, May 30th
Independence Day Monday, July 4th
Pioneer Day (observed) Monday, July 25th

Meeting Times:

All sections of this course will meet in CSC 022 of the Crocker Science Center.  Please note that the number of the sections is not necessarily in the order in which they are held due to when sections were added.  Make sure that you know what time your section is supposed to meet.  Note: the section times this summer were a bit jumbled due to the registrar; make sure you know your section.

2015-002 Thursday 2-5 p.m. Dalley, Abigail
2015-003 Wednesday 2-5 p.m. Dalley, Abigail
2015-004 Wednesday 6-9 p.m. Dalley, Sophie
2015-005 Tuesday 2-5 p.m. Dalley, Sophie

 

 


Communication Policy:

All correspondence for this course will take place through Canvas announcements, messages, etc., as well as through Umail.  It is possible that announcements, assignments, or other information will be provided through Canvas or email that are not explicitly announced in class.  Please be sure to check the Canvas course site and your UMail regularly and, if you use a third-party email, that you forward your UMail to that email address. 

Lab Schedule - PHYS 2015, Summer 2022


Week Class Dates Lab Topic
1 May 17-19 Lab 0A Intro Activities & Group Formation
2 May 24-26 Lab 0B Software Training
3 May 31-Jun 2 Lab 2A (Intro) Macroscopic Fluid Dynamics
4 Jun 7-9 Lab 2B (Data Collection) Macroscopic Fluid Dynamics
5 Jun 14-16 Lab 2C (Wrap-Up) Macroscopic Fluid Dynamics
6 Jun 21-23 Lab 3A (Intro) Molecular Transport & Diffusion
7 Jun 22-30 Lab 3B (Data Collection) Molecular Transport & Diffusion
8 Jul 5-7 Lab 3C (Wrap-Up) Molecular Transport & Diffusion
9 Jul 12-14 Lab 4A (Intro) Forces & Molecular Motors
10 Jul 19-21 Lab 4B (Data Collection) Forces & Molecular Motors
11 Jul 26-28 Lab 4C (Wrap-Up) Forces & Molecular Motors
12 Aug 2-4 No Labs Make-Up

    Grading Policy

PHYS 2015 follows a points-based scoring method. The entire course consists of 1,000 possible points, assigned to a few major categories.  For each of this semester's investigations, these categories include the following:

  • Concept assignments which include pre-lab quizzes covering the physics/software material required for each investigation
  • Research Plans detailing your groups "to-do" list during the in-class data collection period
  • Collection Assignments related to the preparation for and collection of data in the lab
  • Scientific Practices assignments related to making sure you understand the process by which science is done
  • Argumentation Assignments which give you a chance to pitch your investigation ideas to your peers and receive feedback from outside your group.  You can out more about this particular type of assignment on the How To Participate in an Argumentation Session page.  You can also find this under the "Supplemental Materials" page on the course home page.
  • Final Result Deliverable which is essentially some for of a lab report/spreadsheet showing all of your work, data, and conclusions (this is the big one)
  • Post-Reflection Assignments which give an opportunity for you to reflect on the total experience and to give us feedback

Lab 0, the material for the first three weeks of the course, has its own unique structure.  In addition, there will be two survey assignments at the end of the course; one is the university survey and the second is a custom survey created specifically for this course for educational research purposes.

Below is a road map of the point totals for the entire course.

Lab 0 Pts Lab 2 Lab 3 Lab 4 Pts Other Pts
0A Syllabus 15 2A Concepts 3A Concepts 4A Concepts 20 Survey
(End-Semester)
25
0A Code of
Conduct
5 2A Research
Plan
3A Research
Plan
4A Research
Plan
20 UofU Student
Course Feedback
10*
0A Introduce
Yourself
10 2A Attendance 3A Attendance 4A Attendance 25
0A Scientific
Practices
25 2B Collection
Prep
3B Collection
Prep
4B Collection
Prep
20
0B Lab Safety 25 2B Data
Collection
3B Data
Collection
4B Data
Collection
20    
0B Software 25 2B Scientific
Practices
3B Scientific
Practices
4B Scientific
Practices
20    
2C Argumentation 3C Argumentation 4C Argumentation 20  
2C Attendance 3C Attendance 4C Attendance 25
    2C Results 3C Results 4C Results 100    
    2C Reflection 3C Reflection 4C Reflection 20    
105 290 290 290 25
870
1000

This points-based system will help you quickly count how much each assignment is worth towards your final course grade; each point is 0.1% of the final course grade.  The university survey assignment (marked by an asterisk) is an extra credit assignment which will add (effectively) 1% too your grade at the end of the course if you complete it.

Please check the Missing a Week of Lab & Make-Up Lab Policy page for information about gaining points missed.  You can also find this under the "Supplemental Materials" page on the course home page.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is your responsibility to check your grades on Canvas regularly and  reach out to your TA or instructors ASAP if you notice something missing /wrong. Notification of grade errors should be submitted within 10 days after the grades are released for consideration.

Final Letter grades will be determined based on the following table

Final Score Grade
>94% A
>90% A-
>87% B+
>84% B
>80% B-
>77% C+
>74% C
>70% C-
>67% D+
>64% D
>61% D-
<61% F

 

Late Submission Policy

Assignments submitted after the due date will be marked as late in the Gradebook, and 4.167% will be automatically deducted for each hour it is late.  This means that 24 hours after the due date, no points will be awarded at all.  If you know that you will not have time to complete the assignment after your lab section, then please plan ahead and work on it earlier so that you can be done by the end of your lab section. Extensions will NOT be granted except for those that notify the course instructor beforehand with an official written excuse (e.g. university sanctioned activity, CDA letters).

    Course Policies

Inclusion:  The PHYS 2015 instructional staff is here to help you learn, and we want you to succeed in this class.  We expect the entire PHYS 2015 community – students, instructors, TAs, and LAs – will strive to be an inclusive and supportive community, appreciative of the many perspectives that come from us each bringing to the class different backgrounds and beliefs. We expect all members of this community to be respectful of each other, and to strive to create a community that facilitates self-expression, inquiry, and learning.

If you have already established accommodations with the Center for Disability and Access (CDA - https://disability.utah.edu/), please communicate your approved accommodations to the instructor at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through CDA, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but are not limited to: mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact CDA at 801-581-5020 to make an appointment. General information for students can be found under the "Students" tab CDA website. CDA offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s), and CDA. It is important to the University of Utah to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Expectations for Students:  Most of your work for this course will be accomplished during the scheduled weekly 3-hour sessions.  Because of this, and because you will be working in teams, attendance in these sessions is critical to your and your teammates success.  Thus, we expect you to make all attempts to arrive on time if not early for your section each week - tardiness and absences will be recorded and will affect your participation score (see below). 

Because your work will be done during the scheduled sessions, it's really important for you to prepare before arriving for your session by completing any pre-lab readings and assignments - otherwise, you will likely have difficulty completing your work.  Also, your team is much more likely to complete your work if you all actively participate and work together to develop, pursue, document and communicate your investigations.

Course Material:  All the relevant course material will be posted on the course site, no additional textbook is required. 

Honesty and Respect: Cheating of any assignment is a very serious violation of University rules and is unethical. Students caught cheating will receive a failing grade for the course and will be sent to the University Disciplinary Committee for further action.  All teaching assistants and learning assistants are to be considered proxies for the instructor – you should listen to them and treat them with respect at all times. 

Student Office Hours:  Office hours with your Instructor or TA can be scheduled via email. Please look the contacts at the top of this page to email them. Dr. Davenport will do his best to answer promptly and schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Student CodePlease review and sign this code of conduct statement within the first week of the course.  All students and faculty need to be aware of provisions in the Student Code relevant to this course. Students have 20 business days to appeal grades and other "academic actions" (e.g., results of comprehensive exams). The date that grades are posted on the web is considered the date of notification. A "business day" is every day the University is open for business, excluding weekends and University-recognized holidays. If the student cannot get a response from the faculty member after ten days of reasonable efforts to contact him or her, the student may appeal to the department chair if done within 40 days of being notified of the academic action. Students should definitely document their efforts to contact a faculty member.

Similarly, faculty members who discover or receive a complaint of academic misconduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism) have 20 business days to "make reasonable efforts" to contact the student and discuss the alleged misconduct. Within 10 more business days the faculty member must give the student written notice of the sanction, if any, and the student's right to appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee of the College of Science.

All students and faculty members are urged to consult the exact text of the Student Code if a relevant situation arises. The code is on the University web site at http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-10.html.

Student Names and Personal Pronouns Statement: Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name as well as “Preferred first name” (if previously entered by you in the Student Profile section of your CIS account). While CIS refers to this as merely a preference, we will honor you by referring to you with the name and pronoun that feels best for you in class, on lab reports, group assignments, etc. Please advise your instructor and TA of any name or pronoun changes (and update CIS) so we can help create a learning environment in which you, your name, and your pronoun will be respected. If you need assistance getting your preferred name on your uID card, please visit the LGBT Resource Center, Room 409 in the Olpin Union Building, or email bpeacock@sa.utah.edu to schedule a time to drop by. The LGBT Resource Center hours are: M, W-F 8am-5pm, and 8am-6pm on Tuesdays.

    Lab Safety

We want to keep everyone safe while working in a laboratory environment so we are requiring everyone to follow certain guidelines and regulations. Below are the minimum Lab Safety Protocols that are required for any laboratory course taught in the Crocker Science Center (CSC) educational laboratory facilities.

In case of an emergency, contact either of these two Lab Managers for the Crocker Science Center:

  • David Thomas; Educational Lab Facilities Manager; d.r.thomas@utah.edu; 828-553-3180; primary contact for concerns/questions
  • Dr. Jim Muller; CSC Building Operations Manager; jmuller@chem.utah.edu; 801-949-1123; secondary contact for concerns/questions

Other Emergency Contacts:

  • Emergencies:  911
  • Campus police or paramedics:  801-585-COPS; Campus paramedics will come and evaluate any medical situation without charge.
  • Environmental Health and Safety:  801-581-6590; Call for any large and/or hazardous spills.

Watch this video to be introduced to the CSC labs, meet David Thomas, and learn safety guidelines.

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Basic CSC Laboratory Safety Protocols for Students

These are the minimum CSC Lab Safety Protocols that are required for any laboratory course taught in the Crocker Science Center educational laboratory facilities.

  • No food or drink is permitted in any CSC laboratory.
  • TAs or instructors must be present at all times when students are in the laboratory (minimum 1 TA or instructor per lab room).
  • Classroom spaces that adjoin labs are not laboratory spaces and are open to all students when a class is not in session. Therefore, these must remain clean and safe. No chemicals, biological agents, gloves, lab coats or lab equipment should be brought into these areas. All such items must remain in the labs.
  • Gloves should be removed and hands washed before students leave a lab space even if it is just to enter the classroom space.
  • Students should store all personal belongings in the cubbies available in the lab rooms. Backpacks, coats, etc. should not be left on the floor or counter tops.
  • On the first day of lab, TAs or instructors must review the location and use of all safety equipment found in the laboratory (including but not limited to, safety showers, eye wash stations, hoods, etc.) with their students. (Videos are provided to help with this)
  • On the first day of lab, TAs or instructors must review the evacuation plan for their laboratory area with their students

1st Floor Laboratory Courses

  • Use of personal electronics is not permitted within the laboratories except in instances where the instructor has approved the use of such equipment for experiment related purposes AND the equipment has appropriate “PPE” (such as zip lock bags for cell phones). Otherwise, cell phones, tablets and personal laptops should remain in students bags on silent.
  • Minimum laboratory clothing requirements for any lab taking place on the 1st floor of the CSC:
    • Fully closed shoes (not just closed toe)
    • Full length pants or equivalent
    • Safety glasses (some experiments may require splash goggles)
    • Lab coats (100% cotton are better than synthetics if the material ignites)
    • Gloves as dictated by the experiment being performed
    • Disposable face masks

Optics Laboratory Courses

  • Minimum laboratory clothing requirements for any course taught in the optics lab in the basement of the CSC:
    • Closed toed shoes (no sandals, flip flops, etc.)
    • Safety glasses
    • Disposable face masks
    • Gloves

Crocker Science Center Evacuation Plan

In the event of an emergency such as (including but not limited to) fire, power outage, flooding, etc., occupants of the Crocker Science Center should evacuate the building. As occupants evacuate, they should do so calmly, in an orderly fashion and according to the following guidelines:

  • If it is safe to do so, turn off any equipment or processes that could escalate an emergency situation.
  • Use the closest exit to your current location in the building to evacuate.
    • Maps showing suggested exit routes from different parts of the building are provided as part of this evacuation plan.
    • For areas where you regularly reside, study and know your suggested evacuation route so that you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.
    • Remember that illuminated EXIT signs will lead you out of the building via a suggested evacuation route. Once you reach an EXIT sign, there should always be line of sight to another EXIT sign indicating how to proceed.
  • As you are leaving the building, if it is safe to do so, check rooms that you leave/pass to ensure no one is still in those areas.
  • Once outside, proceed to the north side of the building beside President’s circle (being sure to stay outside of the building as you travel).
    • This will be the designated assembly point for everyone in the building.
  • Once you reach the assembly point, gather with your group (research group, Advising Hive Staff, Custodial Staff, classmates and instructor, etc.)
  • Report any vital information to DavidThomas.png JimMuller.png
    • Dr. Jim Muller; 801-949-1123 (on left) or
    • David Thomas; 828-553-3180 (on right)
  • Remain outside with your group until you are given the “all clear” by Dr. Jim Muller, David Thomas or a faculty member.
    • In the event that occupants will need to remain outside of the building for a long time, Jim, David or a faculty member will give an “okay to leave” so that you can go to other areas of campus, lunch, home, etc. Please do not leave the assembly point until you receive this notice.

CSC Basement Floor Evacuation Map

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CSC 1st Floor Evacuation Map

CSC Evacuation Map for Level 1.png

University Policies

COVID-19 Campus Guidelines

 

 Important: Updated Spring 2022 Instructional Guidelines

University leadership has urged all faculty, students, and staff to model the vaccination, testing, and masking behaviors we want to see in our campus community. These include: • Vaccination • Masking indoors • If unvaccinated, getting weekly asymptomatic coronavirus testing • Quarantining after exposure

Vaccination
  • Get a COVID-19 vaccination and the booster shot recommended for pairing with your vaccine if you have not already done so. Vaccination is proving highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization, and death from coronavirus. Vaccination is the single best way to stop this COVID resurgence in its tracks.
  • University of Utah students are required (as of August 27, 2021) to complete a cycle of COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot with an approved vaccine, or complete an exemption form. The university provides three convenient vaccination options:
Masking
  • While masks are not required outside of Health Sciences facilities, UTA buses, and campus shuttles, CDC guidelines now call for everyone to wear face masks indoors.
    • Check the CDC website periodically for masking updates
      • With high transmission rates in Salt Lake County, the CDC recommends: “Everyone should wear a mask in public indoor settings.”
    • Treat masks like seasonal clothing (i.e.during community surges in COVID transmission, masks are strongly encouraged indoors and in close groups outside).
    • In cases of classroom exposure, masks should be worn for the quarantine period (see details below).
Testing
  • If you are not yet vaccinated, get weekly asymptomatic coronavirus tests. This is a helpful way to protect yourself and those around you because asymptomatic individuals can unknowingly spread the coronavirus to others.
    • Asymptomatic testing centers are open and convenient:
  • Remember: Students must self-report if they test positive for COVID-19 via the Campus Covid Response webpage.
Student Mental Health Resources
  • Rates of burnout, anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness have noticeably increased during the pandemic. If you need help, reach out for campus mental health resources, including counseling, training, and other support.
  • Consider participating in a Mental Health First Aid or other wellness-themed training provided by our Center for Student Wellness and sharing these opportunities with your peers, teaching assistants, and department colleagues.

Students are required to self-report if they test positive for COVID-19. To report, please contact:

COVID-19 Central @ The U
 801-213-2874
 coronavirus.utah.edu

Drop/Withdrawal Policies

Students may drop a course within the first two weeks of a given semester without any penalties.

Students may officially withdraw (W) from a class or all classes after the drop deadline through the midpoint of a course. A “W” grade is recorded on the transcript and appropriate tuition/fees are assessed. The grade “W” is not used in calculating the student’s GPA.

For deadlines to withdraw from full-term, first, and second session classes, see the U's Academic Calendar.

Plagiarism and Cheating

It is assumed that all work submitted to your instructor is your own work. When you have used the ideas of others, you must properly indicate that you have done so.

Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on an individual assignment, and/or failure in the course. Academic misconduct, according to the University of Utah Student Code,

“...Includes, but is not limited to, cheating, misrepresenting one’s work, inappropriately collaborating, plagiarism, and fabrication or falsification of information…It also includes facilitating academic misconduct by intentionally helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic misconduct.”

For details on plagiarism and other important course conduct issues, see the U's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Course Materials Copyright

The Content is made available only for your personal, noncommercial educational, and scholarly use. You may not use the Content for any other purpose, or distribute, post or make the Content available to others unless you obtain any required permission from the copyright holder. Some Content may be provided via streaming or other means that restrict copying; you may not circumvent those restrictions. You may not alter or remove any copyright or other proprietary notices included in the Content.
 
Please see the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Section III.A.5 regarding the use and distribution of class Content and materials. Section III.A.5. prohibits the following:
Sale or distribution of information representing the work product of a faculty member to a commercial entity for financial gain without the express written permission of the faculty member responsible for the course. (“Work product” means original works of authorship that have been fixed in a tangible medium and any works based upon and derived from the original work of authorship.)

Safety at the U

The University of Utah values the safety of all campus community members. You will receive important emergency alerts and safety messages regarding campus safety via text message.

For more safety information and to view available training resources, including helpful videos, visit safeu.utah.edu (Links to an external site.).

To report suspicious activity or to request a courtesy escort, contact:

Campus Police & Department of Public Safety
801-585-COPS (801-585-2677)
 dps.utah.edu
1735 E. S. Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Wellness at the U

Your personal health and wellness are essential to your success as a student. Personal concerns like stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, depression, or cross-cultural differences can interfere with a student’s ability to succeed and thrive in this course and at the University of Utah.

Please feel welcome to reach out to your instructor or TA to handle issues regarding your coursework.

For helpful resources to manage your personal wellness and counseling options, contact:

Center for Student Wellness
801-581-7776
wellness.utah.edu
2100 Eccles Student Life Center
     1836 Student Life Way
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Women's Resource Center
801-581-8030
womenscenter.utah.edu
411 Union Building
     200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Addressing Sexual Misconduct

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (which includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression) is a civil rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information.

If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to university officials: 

Title IX Coordinator & Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
801-581-8365
oeo.utah.edu
135 Park Building
     201 Presidents' Cir.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Office of the Dean of Students
801-581-7066
deanofstudents.utah.edu
 270 Union Building
     200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

To file a police report, contact:

Campus Police & Department of Public Safety
801-585-COPS (801-585-2677)
 dps.utah.edu
1735 E. S. Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

If you do not feel comfortable reporting to authorities, the U's Victim-Survivor Advocates provide free, confidential, and trauma-informed support services to students, faculty, and staff who have experienced interpersonal violence.

To privately explore options and resources available to you with an advocate, contact:

Center for Student Wellness
801-581-7776
wellness.utah.edu
328 Student Services Building
    201 S. 1460 E.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities.

All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability & Access (CDA). CDA will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. Prior notice is appreciated. To read the full accommodations policy for the University of Utah, please see Section Q of the Instruction & Evaluation regulations.

If you will need accommodations in this class, or for more information about what support they provide, contact:

Center for Disability & Access
801-581-5020
disability.utah.edu
162 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Diverse Student Support

Your success at the University of Utah is important to all of us here! If you feel like you need extra support in academics, overcoming personal difficulties, or finding community, the U is here for you.

Student Support Services (TRIO)

TRIO federal programs are targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.

Student Support Services (SSS) is a TRIO program for current or incoming undergraduate university students who are seeking their first bachelor's degree and need academic assistance and other services to be successful at the University of Utah.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Student Support Services (TRIO)
801-581-7188
trio.utah.edu
 Room 2075 
     1901 E. S. Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

American Indian Students

The AIRC works to increase American Indian student visibility and success on campus by advocating for and providing student-centered programs and tools to enhance academic success, cultural events to promote personal well-being, and a supportive “home-away-from-home” space for students to grow and develop leadership skills. 

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

American Indian Resource Center
 801-581-7019
diversity.utah.edu/centers/airc
Fort Douglas Building 622
     1925 De Trobriand St.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84113

Black Students

Using a pan-African lens, the Black Cultural Center seeks to counteract persistent campus-wide and global anti-blackness. The Black Cultural Center works to holistically enrich, educate, and advocate for students, faculty, and staff through Black-centered programming, culturally affirming educational initiatives, and retention strategies.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Black Cultural Center
801-213-1441
diversity.utah.edu/centers/bcc
Fort Douglas Building 603
     95 Fort Douglas Blvd.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84113

Students with Children

Our mission is to support and coordinate information, program development, and services that enhance family resources as well as the availability, affordability, and quality of child care for University students, faculty, and staff.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Center for Childcare & Family Resources
801-585-5897
childcare.utah.edu
408 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Students With Disabilities

The Center for Disability Services is dedicated to serving students with disabilities by providing the opportunity for success and equal access at the University of Utah. They also strive to create an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment.

For more information about what support they provide and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Center for Disability Services
801-581-5020
disability.utah.edu
162 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Students of Ethnic Descent

The Center for Ethnic Student Affairs offers several programs dedicated to the success of students with varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Its mission is to create an inclusive, safe campus community that values the experiences of all students.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Center for Ethnic Student Affairs
801-581-8151
diversity.utah.edu/centers/cesa/
 235 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

English as a Second/Additional Language (ESL) Students

If you are an English language learner, there are several resources on campus available to help you develop your English writing and language skills. Feel free to contact:

Writing Center
801-587-9122
writingcenter.utah.edu

 (Links to an external site.)

2701 Marriott Library
     295 S 1500 E
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

English for Academic Success (EAS) Program
 801-581-8047
linguistics.utah.edu
 2300 LNCO
     255 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

English Language Institute
801-581-4600
continue.utah.edu/eli (Links to an external site.)
540 Arapeen Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Undocumented Students

Immigration is a complex phenomenon with broad impact—those who are directly affected by it and those who are indirectly affected by their relationships with family members, friends, and loved ones. If your immigration status presents obstacles that prevent you from engaging in specific activities or fulfilling specific course criteria, confidential arrangements may be requested from the Dream Center.

Arrangements with the Dream Center will not jeopardize your student status, your financial aid, or any other part of your residence. The Dream Center offers a wide range of resources to support undocumented students (with and without DACA) as well as students from mixed-status families.

For more information about what support they provide and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Dream Center
801-213-3697
dream.utah.edu (Links to an external site.)
 1120 Annex (Wing B)
     1901 E. S. Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

LGBTQ+ Students

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center acts in accountability with the campus community by identifying the needs of people with a queer range of [a]gender and [a]sexual experiences and responding with university-wide services.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

LGBTQ+ Resource Center
801-587-7973
lgbt.utah.edu (Links to an external site.)
409 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Veterans & Military Students

The mission of the Veterans Support Center is to improve and enhance the individual and academic success of veterans, service members, and their family members who attend the university; to help them receive the benefits they earned, and to serve as a liaison between the student veteran community and the university.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Veterans Support Center
801-587-7722
veteranscenter.utah.edu  (Links to an external site.)
418 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Women

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) at the University of Utah serves as the central resource for educational and support services for women. Honoring the complexities of women’s identities, the WRC facilitates choices and changes through programs, counseling, and training grounded in a commitment to advance social justice and equality.

For more information about what support they provide, a list of ongoing events, and links to other resources, view their website or contact:

Women's Resource Center
801-581-8030
womenscenter.utah.edu
411 Union Building
     200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Inclusivity at the U

The Office for Inclusive Excellence is here to engage, support, and advance an environment fostering the values of respect, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and academic excellence for students in our increasingly global campus community. They also handle reports of bias in the classroom as outlined below:

Bias or hate incidents consist of speech, conduct, or some other form of expression or action that is motivated wholly or in part by prejudice or bias whose impact discriminates, demeans, embarrasses, assigns stereotypes, harasses, or excludes individuals because of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, language, sex, size, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religion.

For more information about what support they provide and links to other resources, or to report a bias incident, view their website or contact:

Office for Inclusive Excellence
801-581-4600
inclusive-excellence.utah.edu (Links to an external site.)
170 Annex (Wing D)
     1901 E. S. Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Other Student Groups at the U

To learn more about some of the other resource groups available at the U, check out:

getinvolved.utah.edu/

 studentsuccess.utah.edu/resources/student-support

Course Summary:

Date Details Due