Syllabus Information

A syllabus is a statement of intent by the course instructor to clearly explain what a student must do and the timeline for such tasks to complete the course. A syllabus protects students from arbitrary or untimely changes in course requirements and due dates.

UT Tyler faculty shall provide students with a course syllabus in the Syllabus Module within Canvas (UT Tyler’s Learning Management System). Faculty may also distribute syllabi in class if desired. Within the Syllabus Module, faculty provide students with their contact information and course-specific information. Undergraduate and Online Education staff will update the Student Resources and University Policies and Information pages in the Syllabus Module each semester. Undergraduate faculty are also required to provide their department/school with their syllabi for posting on the UT Tyler website as required by HB 2504. In the syllabi provided to the department, faculty may note that Student Resources and University Policies and Information are in Canvas.

Syllabi for concurrently taught undergraduate and graduate courses (e.g., CENG 4314/5314) must clearly describe the different expectations of graduate students that are substantively and progressively more advanced than those of the undergraduates. The delineation of expectations can occur in a separate graduate syllabus or a combined syllabus.

Each syllabus MUST contain the following minimum information.

Instructor name, office, phone, and email contact
Office hours (3 hours minimum per week, plus by appointment)
TA Contact (if appropriate)
Course Overview
Student Learning Outcomes
Required Textbooks and Readings and Recommended (if applicable)
Special Course Notes (e.g., external websites or resources required, proctoring requirements, field trips, etc.)
Assignments with weights/point values and grading scales. Brief descriptions of significant
assignments are required.
Late Work and Make-Up Exam expectations
Attendance policy (optional)
Calendar of Topics, Readings, and Due Dates
UT Tyler AI Statement and Faculty Member’s selection
AI Syllabus Information and specify which AI option is appropriate for your course. (See AI
Syllabus Information)

The following information is provided within the Syllabus Module related to Student Resources and
University Policies and Information.

Student Resources:
Faculty can update student resources to provide additional supports appropriate for each course.

Resources to assist you in the course

UT Tyler Student Accessibility and Resource (SAR) Office (provides needed accommodations to
students with document needs related to access and learning)
UT Tyler Writing Center
The Mathematics Learning Center
UT Tyler PASS Tutoring Center
UT Tyler Supplemental Instruction
Upswing (24/7 online tutoring) - covers nearly all undergraduate course areas
Knack Tutoring – in-person and virtual options
Robert Muntz Library and Staff/Library Liaisons
Canvas 101 (learn to use Canvas, proctoring, and other software)
Digital Support Toolkit (for supported courses only. Students are automatically enrolled in the
toolkit for supported courses)
The Career Success Center
UT Tyler Testing Center
Office of Research & Scholarship Design and Data Analysis Lab

Resources available to UT Tyler Students

UT Tyler Counseling Center (available to all students)
TimelyCare (24/7 access to Student Support Program counseling through phone or chat and
online wellness resources available in a variety of languages)
Military and Veterans Affairs (supports for our military-affiliated students)
UT Tyler Patriot Food Pantry
UT Tyler Financial Aid and Scholarships
UT Tyler Student Business Services (pay or set up payment plans, etc.)
UT Tyler Registrar’s Office (academic information, forms library, policies, etc.)
Office of International Programs
Title IX Reporting
Patriots Engage (available to all students. Get engaged at UT Tyler.)

University Policies and Information

Withdrawing from Class

Students may withdraw (drop) from this course using the Withdrawal Portal. Withdrawing (dropping) this course can impact your Financial Aid, Scholarships, Veteran Benefits, Exemptions, Waivers, International Student Status, housing, and degree progress. Please speak with your instructors, consider your options, speak with your advisor, and visit the One-Stop Service Center (STE 230) or email enroll@uttyler.edu to get a complete review of your student account and the possible impacts to withdrawing. We want you to make an informed decision. UT Tyler faculty and staff are here for you and often can provide additional support options or assistance. Make sure to carefully read the implications for withdrawing from a course and the instructions on using the Withdrawal portal..

Texas law prohibits students from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career*. The six courses dropped includes those from other 2-year or 4-year Texas public colleges and universities. Consider the impact withdrawing from this class has on your academic progress and other areas, such as financial implications. We encourage you to consult your advisor(s) and Enrollment Services for additional guidance. CAUTION #1: Withdrawing before census day does not mean you get a full refund. Please see the Tuition and Fee Refund Schedule. CAUTION #2: All international students must check with the Office of International Programs before withdrawing. All international students are required to enroll full-time for fall and spring terms. CAUTION #3: All UT Tyler Athletes must check with the Athletic Academic Coordinator before withdrawing from a course. CAUTION #4: All veterans or military-affiliated students should consult with Military and Veterans Affairs.

* Students who began college for the first time before 2007 are exempt from this law.

Artificial Intelligence Statement

UT Tyler is committed to exploring and using artificial intelligence (AI) tools as appropriate for the
discipline and task undertaken. We encourage discussing AI tools’ ethical, societal, philosophical, and disciplinary implications. All uses of AI should be acknowledged as this aligns with our commitment to honor and integrity, as noted in UT Tyler’s Honor Code. Faculty and students must not use protected information, data, or copyrighted materials when using any AI tool. Additionally, users should be aware that AI tools rely on predictive models to generate content that may appear correct but is sometimes shown to be incomplete, inaccurate, taken without attribution from other sources, and/or biased. Consequently, an AI tool should not be considered a substitute for traditional approaches to research. You are ultimately responsible for the quality and content of the information you submit. Misusing AI tools that violate the guidelines specified for this course is considered a breach of academic integrity. The student will be subject to disciplinary actions as outlined in UT Tyler’s Academic Integrity Policy. Refer to the About This Course section of the UT Tyler Syllabus Module for specific information on appropriate use of AI in your course(s).

Final Exam Policy

Final examinations are administered as scheduled. If unusual circumstances require that special
arrangements be made for an individual student or class, the Dean of the appropriate college, after
consultation with the faculty member involved, may authorize an exception to the schedule. Faculty members must maintain student final examination papers for a minimum of three months following the examination date.

Incomplete Grade Policy

If a student, because of extenuating circumstances, is unable to complete all of the requirements for a course by the end of the semester, then the instructor may recommend an Incomplete (I) for the course. The "I" may be assigned in place of a grade only when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the student has been making satisfactory progress in the course; (b) the student is unable to complete all coursework or final exam due to unusual circumstances that are beyond personal control and are acceptable to the instructor, and (c) the student presents these reasons before the time that the final grade roster is due. The semester credit hours for an Incomplete will not be used to calculate the grade point average.

The student and the instructor must submit an Incomplete Form detailing the work required and the time by which the work must be completed to their respective department chair or college dean for approval. The time limit established must not exceed one year. Should the student fail to meet all of the work for the course within the time limit, then the instructor may assign zeros to the unfinished work, compute the course average for the student, and assign the appropriate grade. If a grade has yet to be assigned within one year, then the Incomplete will be changed to an F, or NC. If the course was initially taken under the CR/NC grading basis, this may adversely affect the student's academic standing.

Grade Appeal Policy

Disputes regarding grades must be initiated within sixty (60) days from the date of receiving the final course grade by filing a Grade Appeal Form with the instructor who assigned the grade. A grade appeal should be used when the student thinks the final course grade awarded does not reflect the grades earned on assessments or follow the grading scale as documented in the syllabus. The student should provide the rationale for the grade appeal and attach supporting document about the grades earned. The form should be sent via email to the faculty member who assigned the grade. The faculty member reviews the rationale and supporting documentation and completes the instruction section of the form. The instructor should return the form to the student, even if a grade change is made at this level. If the student is not satisfied with the decision, the student may appeal in writing to the Chairperson of the department from which the grade was issued. In situations where there is an allegation of capricious grading, discrimination, or unlawful actions, appeals may go beyond the Chairperson to the Dean or the Dean’s designee of the college from which the grade was issued, with that decision being final. The Grade Appeal form is found in the Registrar's Form Library.

NOTE: The Grade Appeal Form is different from the Application for Appeal form submitted to the
Student Appeals Committee, which does not rule on grade disputes as described in this policy.

Disability/Accessibility Services

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), the University of Texas at Tyler offers accommodations to students with learning, physical, and/or psychological disabilities. If you have a disability, including a non-visible diagnosis such as a learning disorder, chronic illness, TBI, PTSD, ADHD, or a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment, you are encouraged to visit UT Tyler accessible learning and fill out the New Student application. The Student Accessibility and Resources (SAR) office will contact you when your application has been submitted and an appointment with the Assistant Director Student Accessibility and Resources/ADA Coordinator. For more information, including filling out an application for services, please visit the SAR webpage, the SAR office located in the Robert Muntz Library, LIB 460, email saroffice@uttyler.edu, or call 903.566.7079."

Military and Veterans

UT Tyler honors the service and sacrifices of our military-affiliated and veterans students. If you are a student who is a veteran, on active duty, in the reserves or National Guard, or a military spouse or
dependent, please stay in contact with your faculty member if any aspect of your present or prior service or family situation makes it difficult for you to fulfill the requirements of a course or creates disruption in your academic progress. It is important to make your faculty member aware of any complications as far in advance as possible. Your faculty member is willing to work with you and, if needed, put you in contact with university staff who are trained to assist you. The Military and Veterans Affairs has campus resources for military-affiliated students. The MVSC can be reached at MVSC@uttyler.edu or via phone at 903.565.5972.

Students on an F-1 Visa

To remain in compliance with Federal Regulations requirements you must do the following:

Traditional face-to-face classes: Attend classes on the regular meeting days/times.
Hybrid Classes: Attend all face-to-face classes convened by the instructor according to the
schedule set for your specific course.
Online course: Only one online course can count toward your full-time enrollment. Students are
expected to be fully engaged and meet all requirements for the online course.

Academic Honesty and Academic Misconduct

The UT Tyler community comes together to pledge that "Honor and integrity will not allow me to lie, cheat, or steal, nor to accept the actions of those who do." Therefore, we enforce the Student Conduct and Discipline policy in the Student Manual Of Operating Procedures (Section 8).

FERPA

UT Tyler follows the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as noted in UT Tyler’s Policy 7.01: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The course instructor will follow all requirements to protect your confidential information.

Absence for Official University Events or Activities

This course follows the practices related to Excused Absences for University Events or Activities as noted in the Catalog.

Absence for Religious Holidays

This course follows the practices related to UT Tyler’s Excused Absence for Religious Holy Days as
noted in the Catalog.

Absence for Pregnant Students

This course follows the requirements of Texas Laws SB 412, SB 459, SB 597/HB 1361 to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting students. Part of the supports afforded pregnant students includes excused absences. Faculty who are informed by a student of needing this support should make a referral to the Parenting Student Liaison. NOTE: Students must work with the Parenting Student Liaison in order to receive these supports. Students should reach out to the Parenting Student Liaison at parents@uttyler.edu and also complete the Pregnant and Parenting Self-Reporting Form.

Campus Carry

We respect the right and privacy of students who are duly licensed to carry concealed weapons in this class. License holders are expected to behave responsibly and keep a handgun secure and concealed. More information is available at UT Tyler Campus Concealed Carry Policy webpage.