Frontiers of Science Lecture featuring Martin Chalfie
Martin Chalfie, University Professor and former chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University. Full bio: https://chalfielab.biology.columbia.edu/people/martin-chalfie
In 1939, the first director of the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, Abraham Flexner, wrote an article in Harper's Magazine titled "The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge." Flexner questioned whether our idea of usefulness had become too narrow for the wide-ranging, unpredictable nature of human curiosity, arguing that real discovery happens when scientists are free to explore without needing to justify usefulness in advance. Several Nobel Prizes have gone to discoveries that emerged sideways from what researchers originally set out to study. Chalfie will argue that "useless knowledge" is as necessary today as ever for improving human health and well-being, and will offer thoughts on how we can create space for the unexpected discoveries that drive future scientific breakthroughs.
Campus Locations: Alumni House - Eccles (ALUMNI). Alternate Location: Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to add, drop (delete), elect CR/NC, or audit classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to wait list
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Hugo Rossi Lecture Series
Changing Our Minds about Introductory Student Success
The higher education community has a problem. Far too many students (especially those from underserved populations) are not succeeding in our introductory courses – especially in STEM. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how academia’s views of students, of how they learn, and of what’s best for them contribute to this problem. Through discussions of several surprising studies, you might even change your mind, coming away with specific things you can do to better support your students.
Campus Locations: Crocker Science Center (CSC). Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Last day to withdraw from classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 30, 2026.
Spring 2027 - Registration dates begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to withdraw from classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, November 13, 2026.
Holiday: Thanksgiving Break
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 26, 2026 – Friday, November 27, 2026.
Spring 2027 - Open enrollment
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 30, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Last day to reverse CR/NC option
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 4, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to reverse CR/NC option
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 4, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Classes end
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Classes end
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Reading day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 11, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Final exam period
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, December 14, 2026 – Friday, December 18, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Fall 2026 Second Half - Second-half grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Holiday Recess (Dec 19 - Jan 10)
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 – Sunday, January 10, 2027.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Semester-length grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, December 23, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Holiday: Christmas Day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 25, 2026.
Spring 2027 - House Bill 60 registration
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
Spring 2027 First Half Classes - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 11, 2027.
Spring 2027 Term Length - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 11, 2027.
Spring 2027 First Half Classes - Last day to add, drop, audit
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, January 15, 2027.
Spring 2027 First Half Classes - Last day to wait list
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, January 15, 2027.
Spring 2027 Term Length - Last day to add without a permission code
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, January 15, 2027.
Spring 2027 Term Length - Last day to wait list
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, January 15, 2027.
Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 18, 2027.