Orientation-Spring 2016
January 5-6, 2016
Tuesday, January 5th, 2016
8:00-8:30*Check-in and Light Breakfast (SPH Lobby)
8:30-9:15*Student Affairs’ Welcome, Business, Roadmap for the Day, Group Photo(Room 102A)
9:20-9:30*Dean’s Welcome(ITV All)(Room 102A)
9:30-10:00*Setting the Stage for Graduate Education at UTSPH (ITV All)(Room 102A)
Academic Integrity Ethics, Honor Code, Catalog & HOOP
10:00-10:15Break
10:15-11:00*Basic Degree Requirements, Committee Structure, Intro to Degree Planners & Concentrations(Master-102A(ITV All), Doctoral- 102 B(ITV-Austin))
11:00-11:20Title IX (ITV All) (Room 102A)
11:20-12:00Break-outs into Divisions(view room designation below)
*Degree/Major Requirements, Course Sequencing (Division Breakout Sessions) (ITV All)
Biostatistics, (Room E-705)
Epidemiology, (Room 102 B)
Health Promotion/Behavioral Science, (Room E-533)
Management, Policy & Community Health, (Room 102 A)
Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, (Room E-725)
Customized MPH, (Room W-608)
12:00-1:15Pick-up lunches in lobby and return to Division break-out sessions (see rooms above)
*Meet Faculty & Staff Advisors and Course Selection
1:25-2:00*Alumni Connections (Kori Gould), IT (Beverly Moore), Bursar’s Office (Sue Langgard),(Room 102A)
2:00-4:00Choose from the following options:
Student Affairs Staff/GA’s available for registration assistance. IT staff available for assistance with email accounts following registration. (Computer Classroom in RAS Basement E-01)
Student Services Expo (RAS Lobby) Reps from various areas available for questions
Student Organizations Expo (RAS Lobby)
Library Tours (optional; held every 30 minutes) (RAS 1st Floor, Library)
International Students & Permanent Residents Check-in at the Office of International Affairs
(If you have not already done so) (UCT 130)
*Required Sessions
**All students are required to sign up for and attend one Scientific Writing Workshop. Students must register for classes before taking the Writing Workshop since a UT email is needed for login. Also see ** page 3.
Orientation-Spring 2016
January 5-6, 2016
Wednesday, January 6th, 2016
9:00-10:30Career and Academic Advising Services: Your future endeavor in public health begins here!(Room 102A)
9:00-10:15 Introduction to Library Services and Resources (RAS AUD)
10:30-11:45 Introduction to Library Services and Resources (RAS AUD)
10:45-11:45Introduction to Canvas and Online Learning for New Students(Room 102 B)
**Only students that have registered for courses and have set up their SPH accounts with IT
Services can attend.
Please bring a laptop with wireless internet connection to this workshop**
1:00-2:00Overview of Concentrations(Room 102 A)
2:15-3:30 Introduction to Library Services and Resources (RAS AUD)
2:15-3:15Introduction to Canvas and Online Learning for New Students(Room 102 B)
**Only students that have registered for courses and have set up their SPH accounts with IT
Services can attend.
Please bring a laptop with wireless internet connection to this workshop**
3:00-4:30Career and Academic Advising Services: Your future endeavor in public health begins here! (Room 102A)
All session are strongly recommended for all students
Please Note: All degree-seeking incoming students are required to sign up and attend one Scientific Writing Assessment.
Students must register for classes before taking the Writing Assessment since avalid UTSPH User ID and password
are needed to access the UTHealth SPH learning resource Canvas. Prior to attending the Assessment, check your
UT webmail account at and also your Canvas account at
for access (using your UTHealth SPH User ID and password). If your user ID and
password do not work after 24-hours, please see an IT Specialist for assistance.
Required Writing Assessment
At first matriculation at UTHealth SPH, all students must do a writing self-assessment (WritePlacer) during orientation week.
The writing assessment serves two important purposes:
- To help the UTHealth SPH improve our writing instruction.
- To help you and your advisor plan your curriculum, including courses that specifically address writing skills, as needed.
You will write a brief essay (300-600 words) in response to a prompt. No previous knowledge is required. You will have 40 minutes to complete the essay. Based on your score, you will be given recommendations for improving your writing. For more information about how to write an essay for WritePlacer, you can watch this YouTube video: .
The WritePlacer will be administered on a walk-in basis during the following time slots, no appointment is required:
CAMPUS / DATE / TIME / VENUE / CONTACTAustin / Thursday, January 7th
Friday January 8th / 9:00-11:00am
2:00-5:00pm
9:00-3:00pm / Rm 6.320 / Dezendorf Courtney
Brownsville / Wednesday, January 6th / 3:00-6:00pm / Students’ Lounge / Jeanette Broshears
Joshua Johnson
Dallas / Wednesday, January 6th
Thursday, January 7th
Friday, January 8th / Pending
9.00-11:00am
1:00-3:00pm
9:00-11:00am
1:00-3:00pm / V8. 102 / Connie Carter
Erica Cuate
El Paso / Tuesday, January 5th / 3:00-5:00pm / Rm 400 (computer lab) / Maribel Alomari
San Antonio / Wednesday, January 6th
Thursday, January 7th / 9:00-4:00pm
9:00-4:00pm / Room 1131 / Selina Futrell
Stephanie Hall
Houston / Wednesday, January 6th
Thursday, January 7th / 9:00-11:00am
2:00-5:00pm
9:00-12:00pm
2:00-5:00pm / E-01(basement) / Nneka Chima
If any of these times does not work for you, please contact your proctor.