Academic Integrity Policies

Work on projects, homework, programming assignments etc., is generally done on an individual basis. We realize that students frequently help each other over hurdles while they are developing programs and solving problems, and we encourage this.

However we discourage, and effectively forbid, students from taking and/or using the work of any other individual, or giving their own work to another student. That is unethical and is treated more severely than you may have experienced in the past.

Asking another student for a helpful suggestion, or giving such a suggestion, will not constitute such an incident; however, using another person's work, or allowing another student to use your work, will be considered a dishonest act.

We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Carnegie Mellon University guidelines regarding academic integrity.

Also, make sure you read, understand, and follow this next part before submitting any assignments for this course. If you have questions, make sure to ask for clarification.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All work that you submit in this class must be entirely your own. Every level at Carnegie Mellon University and the instructors all take this policy seriously.

In particular:
  • You MUST include a reference to the fact that you have read and understand this policy - add the following statements to every homework file you submit (.java or written assignment, not required for .html files) :

    On my honor, as a Carnegie-Mellon Africa student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this work.

  • You MUST include your name in all of your files.
  • You MUST write your programs yourself.
  • You MAY talk with other people about the assignments and the high-level approach to solving a problem.
  • Other people MAY answer questions, including writing a couple lines of code on paper to show you the syntax of some programming feature.
  • You MUST NOT work together with another person, devising just one design or solution between the two of you, unless specifically instructed to do so by the instructor.
  • You MUST NOT give any other person a copy of your files, not even to use the copy as a "reference", unless explicitly authorized by the instructor(s). This includes an electronic copy, paper copy, or any other type of copy.
  • You MUST NOT use a copy of any part of any other person's code, not even to use this copy as a "reference", unless explicitly authorized by the instructor. This includes an electronic copy, paper copy, or any other type of copy. (So, yes, this does forbid downloading code or copying code from the Internet.)
  • You MUST NOT use any material from previous students or TAs.
  • Also, DO NOT SHARE your assignments with subsequent students.

The student who copies a program or other work and the student from whom the work was copied will be held equally responsible.

Note: Breaking any of these rules will result in immediate dismissal from the course (with an F) and the violation will be reported according to the procedures outline in the CMU standards for academic integrity.

Please note that we have no qualms about reporting violations, so if you find that you are tempted to turn in work that is not your own, talk to your instructors rather than risk sanctions for academic dishonesty (which may include being expelled from school) .