DEN@Viterbi
GENERAL ORIENTATION
SPRING 2014
Important Information:
Please join the telephone conference (listen only)
Save your questions for the end of the info session. Please use the Q&A section
to submit your questions. Your question will be addressed at the end of the
presentation.
Will I be able to get copies of the slides after the
presentation?
YES!
The slides will be posted
on the Orientation page.
http://gapp.usc.edu/students/orientation#den
How can I ask a question?
1. Save your questions for the end of the session.
2. Use the Q&A panel to the right of your screen.
3. I will answer your questions at the end of the presentation.
ORIENTATION INFO| 1
AGENDA
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Welcome to DEN@Viterbi & USC
University Calendar
Academic Policies and Procedures
Advisement: D-clearance, Placement Exams
MyUSC, OASIS, Web Registration, USCe.pay
DEN@Viterbi BlackBoard
DEN@Viterbi Homework & Exam Policies
Department and Program Specific Orientations for DEN@Viterbi
Contact Information
AGENDA | 2
Welcome to DEN@Viterbi & USC
There are more than 40 staff working at the office of Graduate and
Professional Programs in the area of administrative, academic, technical
services to support DEN@Viterbi students!
DEN@Viterbi Support
Technical support including
Blackboard and training
Homework and Exams
GAPP Advisor for
registration, d-clearance,
policies and procedures
Executive Director
Contact Information
webclass@usc.edu
213-821-1321
dennotes@usc.edu,
denexam@usc.edu
213-740-9356
ptrinida@usc.edu
213-740-0116
Staff
Kevin Chan
Ray Madani
Shirley Schutt
Bianca Richter
Kais Alkuraishi (exams)
Patty Trinidad
binhtran@usc.edu
213-821-1322
Binh Tran
WELCOME | 3
Carolyn Suckow
Director, Student Affairs
jecks@usc.edu
213-821-0413
Patty Trinidad
Academic Programs Advisor
ptrinida@usc.edu
213-740-0116
WELCOME | 4
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR – SPRING 2014
Jan. 10
Jan. 13
Jan. 13-17
Jan. 20
Last day to register and pay without late fee
Spring semester classes begin
Late registration and change of program
Martin Luther King, University Holiday
Jan. 31
Last day to drop a class without a mark of "W," except for
Monday-only classes, and receive a 100% refund
Deadline for purchasing or showing proof of health insurance
Last day to register and add classes
Last day to change enrollment option to Pass/No Pass or Audit
Last day to purchase or waive tuition refund insurance
Jan. 31
Jan. 31
Jan. 31
Jan. 31
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR | 5
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR – SPRING 2014 cont.
Feb. 17
Mar. 17-22
April 11
May 2
May 3-6
May 7-14
May 16
Last day to drop a Monday-only class without a mark of “W”
and receive a 100% refund or change to Pass/No Pass or
Audit
President’s Day, University Holiday
Spring Recess
Last day to drop a class with a mark of “W”
Spring semester classes end
Study days
Final examinations
Commencement
May 21
Summer 2013 classes begin
Feb. 4
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR | 6
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR
• During the DROP AND ADD period, Jan. 13-Jan. 31, students may try out
courses and change their schedule.
• Dropping courses with a FULL REFUND is permitted only until 5pm on
Jan. 31.
• Students may drop courses with a mark of “W” on their transcript until 5pm
on April 11, but no refund after Jan. 31.
• Please see the complete calendar at
http://www.usc.edu/academics/classes/term_20141/calendar.html
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR | 7
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
• The document of authority is the University Catalogue, online at
http://catalogue.usc.edu/
• Students normally follow the Catalogue of their semester of admission to
the graduate program, but they are permitted to follow a later Catalogue.
• SCampus also contains policies and procedures pertaining to students; go
to http://scampus.usc.edu/
POLICIES & PROCEDURES | 8
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Students should read and become familiar with the following sections of the
University Catalogue:
• Graduate and Professional Education
• Degree requirements of their specific department and major
• Please refer to the Catalogue Index to find information on:
Registration ▪ Academic Standards ▪ Exception Procedures ▪ Transfer Work ▪
Requirements for Graduation ▪ Time Limits ▪ Repetition of Course Work ▪
Continuous Enrollment ▪ Grade Point Average ▪ Leave of Absence ▪ Incompletes
▪ Thesis and Dissertation ▪ Readmission ▪ Residency ▪ Waiver and Substitution
of Course Work ▪ Screening and Qualifying Examinations ▪ Guidance Committee
▪ Application for Graduation.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES | 9
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
• Students must also read and understand departmental materials
(print and Web)
• The Catalogue supersedes any information contained in any department
material.
• If there appears to be a difference between department materials and the
Catalogue, please ask your departmental advisor, faculty, or the Dean what
the correct policy is.
• PLEASE ASK if you have any questions! We would rather help you get it
right in the beginning than try to fix it later.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES | 10
VITERBI ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICY
• For Viterbi Master’s students
• All USC students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward
their degree.
• 3.0 GPA required for graduation in both major and overall GPA
• Grades reviewed every semester.
• If GPA falls below 3.0, student is placed on academic probation.
• View the complete policy at:
http://gapp.usc.edu/students/current/academic-policies-procedures/viterbi-policies
ACADEMIC PROBATION | 11
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
• University Catalogue
• Academic Department Websites
• Each department website lists program requirements and important
information for students regarding department policies and
procedures.
• Viterbi Graduate & Professional Programs Website: http://gapp.usc.edu/
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS | 12
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
• Academic advisement procedures vary from department to department
• Admitted MS students are advised by department academic advisors
• Limited students should contact the Office for Graduate & Professional
Programs (GAPP).
The Graduate Advisor Contact List can be found at:
http://gapp.usc.edu/students/current/graduate-advisors/ms-advisors
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT | 13
CHOOSING COURSES AND ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
• Students must choose courses that will fulfill their degree requirements
• Graduate students may not take courses pass/no pass for degree credit
• Graduate students must earn at least a “C” in a course for it to count
toward their degree requirements
• They should contact their advisor regularly
• The first semester is critical; doing well is very important.
• Students must pay attention to course level and take lower level courses
before the higher level courses in a course sequence
• This means DO NOT take a prerequisite course AFTER completing the
course it is a prerequisite for:
•
EX: ISE 460 is a prereq for ISE 561. If you take ISE 561 and later take ISE 460,
ISE 460 will NOT count!
• MS students must earn at least a 3.0 GPA to graduate from USC
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT | 14
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
• Academic Integrity is extremely important at USC.
• Penalties for violations at the Master’s level are extremely severe
grade sanctions (e.g., “F” in course) or dismissal.
• If you have any questions about academic integrity issues:
• Graduate & Professional Programs Office
• Department Advisor
• Faculty
• SCampus : http://scampus.usc.edu/
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY | 15
NEW STUDENT TRAINING
After registering for a course, Technical Support and Training is
available for New DEN@Viterbi students.
Schedule an appointment for technical orientation including BlackBoard
training. We will teach you the basics, from navigating your course
page to turning in homework. We want to make sure your DEN@Viterbi
experience is stress-free, particularly when it comes to the technical
side of online learning.
To schedule an appointment:
http://gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/den/technical-support/training-options
NEW STUDENT TRAINING | 16
THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU REGISTER…
1.
Verify your registration appointment time
• Permit to Register link in OASIS
2.
View and clear any restrictions before you attempt to register.
• Restrictions (holds) link in OASIS
3.
Contact your academic advisor, if necessary.
• Contact information for advisors are available at
http://gapp.usc.edu/students/current/graduate-advisors/ms-advisors
4.
Obtain “D” class permission (aka D-clearance) and request pre-requisite waivers
• 5-digit section numbers followed by “D” require departmental clearance/authorization
before a student is permitted to register for a specific course.
• ALL DEN courses require D-clearance.
• Pre-requisite waivers vary by department. Please contact your academic advisor or an
advisor in the Graduate & Professional Programs Office for help with pre-requisites.
5.
Review the instructions on how to use Web Registration
REGISTRATION | 17
D-CLEARANCE, PRE-REQUISITES, OR
PLACEMENT EXAMS
D-Clearance
• Anytime a 5-digit course section number ends with a "D", you need to obtain
departmental clearance before you can register for the course. All DEN courses
require d-clearance.
• After your request has been processed, you can register for the course. DEN dclearances are valid for 7 days.
Pre-requisites & Pre-requisite Waivers
• Waiver of pre-requisites vary by academic department. Some departments require
students to take the placement exam to waive pre-requisite requirements if the prerequisite course was not completed at USC.
• Any pre-requisites for DEN courses will be reviewed when you submit a request for
d-clearance.
Placement Exams
• Certain Electrical Engineering courses require successful completion of placement
exams before students are allowed to register for a course.
• Please visit the EE website for placement exam information – Next exam is TBA
• If you take exams remotely, contact the DEN Exams Coordinator.
D-CLEARANCE | 18
HOW TO REQUEST D-CLEARANCE FROM DEN
All DEN courses require D-clearance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Login to DEN Blackboard: http://gapp.usc.edu
Select DEN Tools
Select D Clearance Request Form and submit required information based on course chosen
Approval process takes 1 business day. To check status of D-Clearance go to DEN Tools > D Clearance Status
You can register once your request has been processed. D-clearances expire 7 days from when it is issued so
register as soon as you obtain it to secure a seat in a course.
For questions on D-Clearance status, contact masters@gapp.usc.edu
D-CLEARANCE | 19
ONLINE ACADEMIC STUDENT INFORMATION
SYSTEM (OASIS)
www.usc.edu/oasis
* Your default Passcode
is your 6-digit birthday
(mmddyy). This is also
your Passcode for Web
Registration.
** You will be asked to change
your default PIN after initial
login. Your USC ID and
Password/PIN is the same for
OASIS & Web Registration.
* If you are unable to login, please
contact the Registration Office and
request a PIN reset at 213-740-8500 or
register@usc.edu
OASIS | 20
WEB REGISTRATION
www.usc.edu/webregistration
Your login
info is the
same for
OASIS.
*If you are unable to
login due to “Invalid
ID or Passcode”
please contact the
USC Registration
Dept. to request a
PIN/Passcode reset.
Review this
before you
register.
WEB REGISTRATION | 21
REASONS WHY WEB REGISTRATION
TRANSACTIONS FAIL:
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Class is closed
D-clearance was not obtained or expired
Pre-requisite was not completed or waived
Restriction or hold was not removed
Contact the Graduate & Professional Programs Office (GAPP) for
assistance.
WEB REGISTRATION | 22
USC E-MAIL
www.email.usc.edu
USE e-mail is the official and
preferred method of
communication between
USC departments and
students. Failure to check
your USC email for important
notification is not an
accepted excuse for missing
deadlines, etc.
LIMITED STATUS STUDENTS:
Limited student email accounts will be created within 2 weeks of
the start of the term for which you are in enrolled or within 3
days after you enroll if you register after the start of the term.
Registration in courses is required before an email account will be
created.
Find and activate
your USC email
here 
If you have another email
that you check regularly, you
can set up your USC e-mail
to forward to that account
and create filters for
unwanted e-mails.
USC E-MAIL | 23
MyUSC
USC email is required to access myUSC.
https://my.usc.edu
Login is your USC
NetID (same as email
username/pw)
MyUSC | 24
MyUSC
USC email is required to access myUSC.
You can access OASIS, Web Registration, e-mail, etc. will a single login.
MyUSC | 25
USC WEBSITE
You can also access MyUSC, OASIS, Web Registration, e-mail, etc. from main USC website.
USC WEBSITE | 26
THINGS TO DO AFTER YOU REGISTER…
1.
Verify your registration
• Registered Course List link in OASIS
2.
Check your billing balance & Settle your tuition
• USCe.pay/Current Billing Balance link in OASIS
• DEN@Viterbi Tuition Deferment Program
3.
Check your book list for required textbooks via OASIS or the USC Bookstore
• Book List link in OASIS
• You can buy your textbooks from the USC Bookstore or another online retailer of your choice.
4.
Obtain your USC ID card (optional)
• A USC ID card identifies you as a currently enrolled student, and also entitles you to various
other privileges and potential uses on and off campus. Obtaining a USC ID card is optional for
DEN students.
• http://gapp.usc.edu/files/u31/Obtaining a USC ID Card_Oct12.pdf
5.
Login to DEN and Accept the DEN Terms of Service in DEN Tools to trigger you course links to
appear when DEN uploads registration information from the University.
• Course links will not appear until 2-3 days before the start of the semester.
6. Activate your USC E-mail: https://email.usc.edu/
• Limited Status student email accounts will be created within 2 weeks of the start of the
term for which you are in enrolled or within 3 days after you enroll if you register after
the start of the term.
REGISTRATION | 27
TUITION AND FEES
• Engineering Access Fee
This fee creates a UNIX account for off-campus students, providing
access to the University's computing and library services.
• Norman Topping Student Aid Fund
This fee provides assistance to local area, low income students.
• Exam Proctoring Fee
Because USC exams must be proctored, DEN@Viterbi arranges for
off-campus students to take their exams at certified testing centers.
These centers may charge a fee ranging from $25 to $50 for their
service. The centers require payment at the time service is
rendered; therefore the student pays this fee
TUITION & FEES | 28
HEALTH INSURANCE
•
USC requires that ALL students have supplemental health insurance.
•
You are automatically enrolled in the USC Health Insurance Plan if you are taking 6 or
more units
•
If you already have a health insurance plan, you may be eligible to waive enrollment in the
USC Health Insurance Plan by providing proof of comparable coverage. Enrollment may
be waived only if documented proof of comparable coverage from another plan is
presented to the Student Health Insurance Office and it meets the University’s
requirements.
•
Health Insurance Waiver
• Waiver Criteria & Online Waiver Request
• http://engemannshc.usc.edu/insurance/waivers/
•
Student Insurance Office at (213) 740-0551
•
Deadline to submit waiver form is Jan. 31
HEALTH INSURANCE | 29
TUITION PAYMENT OPTIONS
USCe.pay
• Pay online through USCe.pay in OASIS or MyUSC.
DEN@Viterbi Tuition Deferment Program
• The Tuition Deferment Program was established to assist students working
in industry with the "up front" payment of tuition and mandatory fees if their
companies reimburse after the semester is over and upon presentation of
the final grade. The program only applies to tuition and mandatory fees.
Other fees such as parking will not be deferred.
•
For requirements and information on how to participate, please refer to the
Tuition Deferment Program page in the GAPP website:
http://gapp.usc.edu/tuitiondeferment
TUITION & FEES | 30
TUITION DEFERMENT PROGRAM
http://gapp.usc.edu/tuitiondeferment
DEN Students who have corporate reimbursement can take advantage of the
Tuition Deferment Program
• You must be an Admitted or Limited USC Viterbi Master's student
• You must be an employee of a company that provides tuition
reimbursement benefits at the rate of 75% or more
• Your company must approve your participation in the tuition deferment
program
Tuition Deferment Process (Every Semester) – ONLINE Application
• Submit Promissory Note
• Obtain an authorization letter from your company
• Provide non-refundable $30 payment
•
Tuition Deferment applications will not be accepted after Jan. 31
TUITION & FEES | 31
DEN@Viterbi
HELP DESK
DEN@Viterbi Help Desk – OHE 118, webclass@usc.edu,
213-821-1321
• Services:





BlackBoard Training
Technical Support
Webcast Quality Control
Lecture Posting
General Inquiries
• Supervisors:
• Kevin Chan and Ray Madani
twitter.com/denhelpdesk
youtube.com/denhelpdesk
HOMEWORK & EXAMS | 33
ACCESSING YOUR DEN COURSES
www.gapp.usc.edu
* Login to
DEN here.
DEN BLACKBOARD | 34
DEN@Viterbi BLACKBOARD: LOGIN
www.uscden.net
* If you do
not have a
DEN profile,
please
create one.
DEN BLACKBOARD | 35
DEN@Viterbi BLACKBOARD: MY START PAGE
DEN Tools, My Courses, Announcements
DEN BLACKBOARD | 36
DEN@Viterbi BLACKBOARD: DEN TOOLS
DEN Profile Management, D-Clearance Requests, Terms of Service
Course evaluations
can be submitted at
the end of the
semester here.
* The DEN Terms of
Service must be
accepted before you can
access your DEN
courses.
* Request
permission to
register in courses
that have a “D”
after the 5-digit
section number &
check the status of
your request.
* If you move, change
jobs, or your contact
info changes, please
update your info here
AND with the University
through OASIS.
* If you were previously a Limited
student and now have been
formally admitted, please update
your status.
DEN BLACKBOARD | 37
DEN@Viterbi BLACKBOARD: LIVE ONLINE CHAT
Online Chat
•
•
•
DEN@Viterbi students can click on the help link at the top of
Blackboard AFTER they log on for additional help options
including live online chat
DEN@Viterbi students will be automatically logged into the
online chat system and can choose to chat with the following
areas:
•
Academic and Administrative
•
Classroom Support
•
Homework & Exams
•
Technical Support
If we are unavailable, the chat will be sent to us as email and
we will respond as soon as possible.
DEN BLACKBOARD | 38
DEN@Viterbi BLACKBOARD: COURSES
DEN Course Links
* 20141 for Spring 2014
* If searching by
course, please
select the link with
the corresponding
term. (e.g.. 20141
for Spring 2014)
* If you do not see your courses 2-3
days before the start of the semester,
check your registration through OASIS
or Accept the DEN Terms of Service in
DEN Tools.
New Student Training will go over how to
navigate your course pages. Sign up at:
http://gapp.usc.edu/graduateprograms/den/technical-support/training-options
DEN BLACKBOARD | 39
ACCESSING LIVE & ARCHIVED LECTURES
DEN Course Lectures
New Student Training will go over how to
navigate your course pages. Sign up at:
http://gapp.usc.edu/graduateprograms/den/technical-support/training-options
Course
Menu
* Link to View
Live lecture
and studio callin number will
be posted here.
* Lectures are archived
and available for viewing
about 30 min. after the live
lecture takes place.
DEN BLACKBOARD | 40
DEN@Viterbi’s E-LEARNING SYSTEM
Tech Requirements: Cable modem, DSL, T1/T3 or higher & Windows
Media Player
Class notes are
enlarged for
better viewing;
and can be
downloaded and
printed!
Live chat
and
threaded
discussions
open in
separate
windows
from here
Navigation
bar for
jumping to
different
parts of the
lecture
Video window and controls
DEN BLACKBOARD | 41
DEN@Viterbi’s E-LEARNING SYSTEM
Call In During Live Lecture
Virtual Meetings & Presentations
Live Chat &Threaded Discussion
DEN BLACKBOARD | 42
DEN@Viterbi
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT CENTER
DEN@Viterbi – Instructional Support Center
• Services:
 Homework processing
 Exams coordination
 Course notes support
• Supervisors:
• Shirley Schutt and Bianca Richter
• Exams:
• Kais Alkuraishi
HOMEWORK & EXAMS | 44
HOMEWORK
• For off-campus USC DEN students, homework can be submitted via upload,
email, fax, or regular mail (if necessary). You may check your submitted
homework by logging onto the DEN portal and selecting your course. To do
this, you will select the "DEN Homework" link, and then select "Check
Submitted Homework.” Similarly to check your graded assignments, click on
"Download Graded Homework & Exams.”
• For more information regarding homework:
http://gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/den/technical-support/homework-and-exams
• New Student Training will go over the homework submission process in
depth. Sign up at
http://gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/den/technical-support/training-options
HOMEWORK & EXAMS | 45
EXAMS
•
DEN's Exams Coordinator will notify students via e-mail of their examination date,
time, and location approximately one week before the test. Midterm exam dates will be
announced by the course instructor and final exam dates are available through the
Schedule of Classes which is available on the University website.
•
The student is responsible for taking the examination at the time scheduled. No
exceptions are permitted. Unforeseen, documented, emergency circumstances which
cause a student to miss a scheduled exam will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
•
For off-campus students who work or reside in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura
counties, examinations will be taken at USC’s main campus on the date and time
stated on the course syllabus.
•
For off-campus students located outside of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura
counties, DEN@Viterbi will arrange for exams to be proctored at local testing centers.
•
For more information on exam procedures:
http://gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/den/technical-support/homework-and-exams
HOMEWORK & EXAMS | 46
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Please use the Q&A section to submit your questions.
DEN@Viterbi DEPARTMENT ORIENTATIONS
DEPARTMENT
DATE
TIME
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME)
Friday, Dec. 6
2:00 pm (PST)
Astronautical Engineering (ASTE)
Wednesday,
Dec. 18
2:00 pm (PST)
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Friday, Dec. 13
2:00 pm (PST)
Chemical Engineering (CHE), Materials Science (MASC), and
Petroleum Engineering (PTE)
Monday, Dec. 16
10:00 am (PST)
Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Friday, Dec. 13
10:00 am (PST)
Computer Science (CSCI)
Wednesday,
Dec. 11
10:00 am (PST)
Cyber Security
Monday, Dec. 16
10:00 am (PST)
Electrical Engineering (EE)
Wednesday,
Dec. 11
2:00 pm (PST)
Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE) AND Software
Architecting & Engineering (SAE)
Thursday,
Dec. 12
2:00 pm (PST)
DEPARTMENT ORIENTATIONS | 48
CONTACT INFO
OFFICE OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE), Rm. 106
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 5 pm (Pacific Time)
Phone: (213) 740-4488 | Fax: (213) 821-0851
http://gapp.usc.edu
DEN@Viterbi Support
Technical support including
Blackboard and training
Homework and Exams
GAPP Advisor for
registration, d-clearance,
policies and procedures
Tuition Deferment or
Vouchers
Contact Information
webclass@usc.edu
213-821-1321
dennotes@usc.edu,
denexam@usc.edu
213-740-9356
ptrinida@usc.edu
213-740-0116
Staff
Kevin Chan
Ray Madani
Shirley Schutt
Bianca Richter
Kais Alkuraishi (exams)
Patty Trinidad
susannas@usc.edu
213-740-8198
Susanna Sahakian
CONTACT INFO | 49
THANK YOU!
HAVE A GREAT SPRING SEMESTER!
FIGHT ON!
A recording of this online orientation and this presentation will be
available for viewing and download on the GAPP website.