Teaching Responsibilities
Below is an excerpt from the Handbook of Operating Procedures of The
University stating policy concerning final examinations and informing students
how they will be evaluated in courses. In compliance with this university
policy, the policy of the Cockrell School of Engineering is as follows.
Course Descriptor
On the first day of class for each course, the faculty member responsible for
that course must provide students in that class a Course Descriptor including at
least the following items:
(a) topical outline, text, and prerequisites for the course;
(b) homework, attendance, testing and examination plan
and policies;
(c) grading policy;
(d) listing of office hours for both professor and teaching assistant
if one is assigned to the course;
(e) tutorial plan (if applicable), including availability of video
tapes (if applicable);
(f) course/instructor evaluation plan (course/instructor
evaluation using the approved MEC form is mandatory);
(g) special departmental and School requirements and
recommendations including the appropriate course drop
dates (see Dropping Courses, below);
(h) the date and time of the final exam. The dates and times of the final exam
schedules can be found on the Web or Tex at http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/schedules/089/finals/
In special circumstances (e.g., a design project course), permission to waive
the final exam can be granted by the Department Chair.
(i) the following statement: "The University of Texas at Austin provides, upon
request, appropriate academic adjustments for qualified students with
disabilities.” For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students
at 471-6259, 471-4241 TDD or the Cockrell School of Engineering Director of
Students with Disabilities at 471-4321.
A copy of each course descriptor must be filed with the department chair each
semester. A descriptor has the primary purpose of letting students know what
they can expect during the course in terms of the material they will cover, what
they must do and how they will be graded.
Class Web sites and student privacy
The University must inform students in advance if their name will be appearing
on an electronic class roster. Because these rosters exist in many class Web
sites, we must inform students of this fact. The paragraph below, which
addresses this issue, appeared on the inside cover of the spring 2001 Course
Schedule. I would encourage all faculty to include this statement in both their
online and print syllabi.
“Web-based, password-protected class sites are associated with all academic
courses taught at The University. Syllabi, handouts, assignments and other
resources are types of information that may be available within these sites.
Site activities could include exchanging e-mail, engaging in class discussions
and chats, and exchanging files. In addition, electronic class rosters will be a
component of the sites. Students who do not want their names included in these
electronic class rosters must restrict their directory information in the Office
of the Registrar, Main Building, Room 1.” For information on restricting
directory information see: http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/catalogs/gi06-07/app/appc09.html
Add/Drop/Withdrawal
An engineering student should make an appointment with his/her departmental
advisor to discuss adding or dropping any course if the change will alter the
classes that were originally approved by the departmental advisor. If the add or
drop requires the approval of the Dean, then the student will need to schedule
an appointment with an Academic Advisor in the Office of Student Affairs, ECJ
2.200 (471-4321) to discuss the request.
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.engr.utexas.edu/current/policies/pol_add-drop-wdraw.cfm
Mid-Semester Failing Notices
Many faculty find it advantageous to notify students that they are currently
earning a grade of “D” or “F” in the course or they are failing the course due
to excessive absences. There is a user friendly online system at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/ns/ns.unique.wb
Final Examinations
A final examination will be given in each course at the time and place specified
in the final examination announcement. A request for an exemption from this rule
must be made in writing and approved by the department chair before the start of
the semester in which the course is to be offered. Approval must be granted by
the Dean’s Office if you are requesting a change in the time of the final
examination.
It is important that we adhere to this policy in fairness to the students. If
you have any questions about this policy or its application, please ask your
department chair.
Excerpt from the Handbook of Operating Procedures for The University of Texas at
Austin
3.22 Final Examinations
Faculty members are free to develop their own methods of evaluating the
performance of students in their courses, but they are required to make the
methods of evaluation to be used known to their classes in writing before the
end of the first four class days of each long-session semester and the first two
days of the summer terms. Responsibility for assuring adequate methods of
evaluation rests with the departmental faculties and is subject to
administrative review. In courses with multiple sections, the departments should
provide for necessary coordination. In any event, materials to be used in
evaluating the student's performance must be collected by the instructor at, or
prior to, the time of the regularly scheduled final examination.