Frequently Asked Questions
How does this project relate to UNIV1010 and UNIV2020?
The Comets to the Core project is the sole requirement for UNIV 1010 and UNIV 2020, both of which are required courses for graduation.
UNIV 1010 is the course designation for the first phase of the Comets to the Core project, which is to be completed within students’ first semester at UT Dallas.
UNIV 2020 is the course designation for the second phase of the Comets to the Core project, which is to be completed during students’ fall semester of their third year at UT Dallas.
How do I know if I am required to complete this project?
The Comets to the Core program is required for first-time in college students during the first semester of their first and third years at UT Dallas. Students will receive emails informing them of the requirement to their utdallas.edu email address, as well as a reminder email prior to the start of the project. The emails may appear to come from core@utdallas.edu or noreply@qemailserver.com. If you have difficulty accessing your University email account, visit the Office of Information Technology website.
When will the Comets to the Core project begin?
The Comets to the Core project will begin the first day of the Fall 2023 semester. Students will receive their group assignments the day after Census Day.
What if I don’t like my group members?
Teamwork is one of the major components of this project. While we do not expect you to always get along with every group member, we do ask that you put the project first and work to resolve any personal issues as best as you can.
What if my group members do not respond?
If you do not receive a response from your group members by September 15, 2023, please email your concerns to core@utdallas.edu.
How will I communicate with my team?
Students can communicate via email, the groups or Blackboard Collaborate features in eLearning, Microsoft Teams, or any other communication tool they find appropriate.
How long will the project take?
You will be given 5 weeks to complete the project.
What is the deadline for completing this project?
The deadline for the Comets to the Core project is September 22, 2023.
Where will this project be turned in?
Students will submit their projects via the UNIV 1010/2020 course in eLearning. Instructions on how to submit the project are located in the submission folder on the UNIV 1010/2020 course homepage of eLearning. If you have additional questions, please contact core@utdallas.edu.
What are the specific requirements for this project?
The Comets to the Core project is the only requirement for UNIV 1010/2020. For additional details please see the UNIV 1010/2020 course syllabus (available on eLearning) or the Comets to the Core page.
Will I have access to any resources?
A list of resources is available on the UNIV 1010/2020 course homepage of eLearning.
How will the project be evaluated?
A representative sample of projects will be used to assess students’ communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility, and social responsibility. Some schools also request that students include their completed Comets to the Core project in their degree portfolio.
Will this project affect my GPA?
The Comets to the Core project will not be graded and thus will not affect students’ GPAs; however, it is a graduation requirement. Students who do not submit their projects will have a hold placed on their account and will not be able to register for the following semester. If you are placed on a registration hold, please contact core@utdallas.edu to learn how you can remove the hold.
Will I be asked to complete this project for a second time at the end of my four years?
Students who are native to UT Dallas (i.e., have not attended any other institution) will be asked to complete the Comets to the Core project for a second time during the fall semester of their third year at UT Dallas. This will allow students to apply the skills they have acquired while at UT Dallas.
Will I have the same project topic for UNIV 1010 and UNIV 2020?
The selected problem will change every two years, so students will work to solve a new problem during their second Comets to the Core project. Group membership will also change, as some students will switch majors or leave the University.
Will my group change?
Group membership will also change, as some students will switch majors or leave the University.
Please direct any additional questions you may have to core@utdallas.edu.
