CBE 400 Syllabus 2026

Location

CB 256

Time

Wednesday 11:00-11:50 AM

Instructor

David O. Lignell
330T Engineering Building
801-422-1772
davidlignell@byu.edu
Office hours: as (available)[https://ignite.byu.edu/calendar]

TAs

• Logan Self
  

Objectives

1. Stimulate each student to learn and understand principles of creative thinking: what kinds of activities and environments stimulate creativity, and the roles in the creative process.
2. Stimulate learning of principles and applications of creative problem solving.
3. Provide opportunities in and out of class for students to practice principles and experience the creative and problem solving processes.

Website

• Course materials are at ignite.byu.edu.
• Assignments, quizzes, and grades are on canvas.

Grading

• Attendance: 30%
• Homework: 30%
• Reading: 10%
• Portfolio: 5%
• Class project: 25%

Attendance

Class attendance is required and will be recorded every day. You can make up three missed class periods by writing a page about something creative relating to the reason for your absence.

Homework

Weekly homework assignments are due before class. Late homework will be accepted up to the last day of class for 75% credit.

Reading

Reading assignments are due before the start of every class.

Portfolio

A creativity portfolio is due at the end of the semester. This should be a document, or presentation that presents at least five creative things you have done before this class, and at least five creative things you have done during this semester, outside of other class assigments. State what each item is, give a picture or text, or link to a video. Items might include creative writing, art, built projects, decorating, baking, critical thinking about a topic, computer programs, etc.

Class project

You will form a group with 3 other students to define and solve a technical creative problem. The project will include two parts:

• Written report, 5-10 pages. Include a title page, introduction, problem definition, problem solution, implementation, evaluation, and conclusions. Include several figures and/or tables to illustrate the use of creative problem solving methods.
• Oral report given during the final exam period at the university scheduled date and time. Each group will have 10-12 minutes to present their projects, and will be evaluated by other students and the instructore based on:
  • the definitional of the problem and objective,
  • creativity: interesting, novel, reasonable, effective,
  • apparent application of creative problem solving skills,
  • ability to present and sell the problem.

AI tools

Use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are encouraged in this class to aid you in creativity and problem solving, to help your thought process, and to generate ideas. However, use AI as your assistant, not as your replacement. You should “own” all AI output, in that you have read and approved it, and are an active participant in its generation and use. Written assignments, including essays and your final project should be your own work, not simply pasted from the output of an AI prompt. Remember the law of the harvest: you get out what you put in. Your personal development as a Child of God is of great worth. Take personal responsibility for your education and use the tools available as you create your skills and character.

BYU Policy Statments

Honor Code

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation, and every instructor’s expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct

The health and well-being of students is of paramount importance at Brigham Young University. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment (including sexual violence), there are many resources available for assistance.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, BYU prohibits unlawful sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, against any participant in its education programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment by its personnel and students. Sexual harassment occurs when

• a person is subjected to unwelcome sexual speech or conduct so severe, pervasive, and offensive that it effectively denies their ability to access any BYU education program or activity;
• any aid, benefit, or service of BYU is conditioned on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; or
• a person suffers sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking on the basis of sex.

University policy requires all faculty members to promptly report incidents of sexual harassment that come to their attention in any way, including through face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692 or 1085 WSC. Reports may also be submitted online at https://titleix.byu.edu/report or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours a day).

BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by sexual harassment, including the university’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at http://titleix.byu.edu or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator.

Student Disability

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Whether an impairment is substantially limiting depends on its nature and severity, its duration or expected duration, and its permanent or expected permanent or long-term impact. Examples include vision or hearing impairments, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, emotional disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), learning disorders, and attention disorders (e.g., ADHD). If you have a disability which impairs your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170 WSC or 801-422-2767 to request a reasonable accommodation. The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. If you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 801-422-5895, eo_manager@byu.edu, or visit https://hrs.byu.edu/equal-opportunity for help.”