Cheating on exams, tests, or assignments is a serious offense because it jeopardizes the integrity and reputation of our academic programs.
Cheating on exams includes using unauthorized aids or communicating in any way with others during an examination. The penalty for cheating on a test or exam will range from suspension from the university for at least one term to expulsion.
Cheating on assignments and projects includes copying another student's solution and submitting it as your own, allowing another student to copy your solution, or collaborating excessively with another student. The standard penalty for cheating on an assignment or project is as follows: a grade of -100% will be assigned for the piece of work, with a minimum deduction of 5% from the final course grade.
With assignments it is possible, and indeed desirable, to discuss methods of solution of problems with classmates, TAs, and instructors. However, the solution that you submit must be worked through by yourself and written in your own words. The only exceptions are assignments or projects which the instructor designates as group activities.
All academic offenses are reported to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. A second academic offense will lead to the student being suspended from the university for at least one term and may lead to expulsion.
John Wainwright
Note: The new standard penalty for cheating and plagiarism on assignments, effective September 1 2007, is no marks on the assignment and a deduction of 5% from the course grade.