Course Syllabus

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Welcome!

This course serves all incoming Ph.D. students in the School of Computing. Earning a Ph.D. is difficult—and at times even demoralizing—but conducting and communicating research can be an incredible joy in life. Together, we will examine the process of getting a Ph.D. and develop skills to improve your chances of success at research, while, hopefully, making your studies a healthy and fun experience.

What does this course offer you?

This course will provide you with weekly tutorials and discussions on developing important skills for success in your Ph.D. studies and research more generally. We will examine common pitfalls in Ph.D. studies and demystify some of the more obscure elements of getting your degree. Our weekly meetings will give you a stress- and judgment-free venue to express any concerns and ask any questions you may have about your studies. Finally, this course will give you an opportunity to meet and bond with other students in your cohort, who will likely be some of your closest friends and supporters during the 5+ years of your studies.

How exactly, are you going to achieve this?

First, you will learn about research skills through short, weekly readings before class meets. You will be asked to write a short response to these readings each week. These skills will be reinforced through structured discussions and activities each week.

Second, you will interact with more senior Ph.D. students and other faculty in a few panel discussions during the semester.

Third, you will have a few small homework assignments to help you put these skills into action and set you up to succeed in your studies.

How will you know how you're doing?

You will know you are doing well if you are participating in class meetings, doing the readings, and writing your reading responses. This will determine 50% of your grade. The additional homework assignments will make up the remaining 50%.

Weekly Schedule

The detailed schedule of activities and readings will be filled out as the semester progresses.

Course Information

Course Number and Title: CS 7930–001 — Intro to Computing PhD

Time: Wednesdays, 9:40–10:30 AM

Location: WEB 1230

Instructor: Hari Sundar

Instructor Contact:

Email: hari@cs.utah.edu
Web: https://www.cs.utah.edu/~hari/ (Links to an external site.)
Office: 2692 WEB
Office hours: via Zoom, by appointment; send email to schedule an appointment

TA: Leann Lindsey - leann.lindsey@utah.edu

Online Resources

Enrolled students will access course materials and submit homework solutions via the course's Canvas website.

Course Policies

Grading. Grading is based on participation. “Participation” is not merely presence; it means engaging with the course in ways that demonstrate sincere effort to master the course material. The primary course activities are:

  • completing the weekly readings,
  • writing short responses to the readings,
  • participating in discussions and activities during class, and
  • completing homework assignments.

Reading responses and homework solutions should be submitted to the instructor, by the assignments’ due dates/times, via this course's Canvas website. Late submissions are not generally accepted. Late submissions may be accepted in exceptional circumstances only, at the sole discretion of the instructor.

Attendance. It is expected that students will attend all class meetings, because attendance is a prerequisite to in-class participation. It is expected that students will be present when class meetings begin—i.e., be on time.

College of Engineering Policies and Guidelines

For information about adding courses, withdrawing from courses, appealing grades, and more, please refer to the website maintained by the College of Engineering's Office of Academic Affairs.

University of Utah Policies

The Americans with Disabilities Act. The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, 801–581–5020. CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services.

University Safety Statement. The University of Utah values the safety of all campus community members. To report suspicious activity or to request a courtesy escort, call campus police at 801–585–COPS (801–585–2677). You will receive important emergency alerts and safety messages regarding campus safety via text message. For more information regarding safety and to view available training resources, including helpful videos, visit safeu.utah.edu (Links to an external site.).

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 the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 135 Park Building, 801–581–8365, or the Office of the Dean of Students, 270 Union Building, 801–581–7066. For support and confidential consultation, contact the Center for Student Wellness, 426 SSB, 801–581–7776. To report to the police, contact the Department of Public Safety, 801–585–2677 (COPS).

COVID-19 Campus Guidelines. 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 (Links to an external site.)

Some students may qualify for accommodations and exemptions from these guidelines through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations should be obtained prior to the first day of class.

If you believe you meet these criteria, contact:

Center for Disability & Access
801–581–5020
disability.utah.edu (Links to an external site.)
162 Union Building
200 S. Central Campus Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Undocumented Student Support Statement. Immigration is a complex phenomenon with broad impact—those who are directly affected by it, as well as those who are indirectly affected by their relationships with family members, friends, and loved ones. If your immigration status presents obstacles to 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. To learn more, please contact the Dream Center at 801–213–3697 or visit dream.utah.edu (Links to an external site.).

Course Summary:

Date Details Due