Alverno
College Department of Biology Statement on Academic Honesty
Students
must do the plagiarism exercise and fill out the plagiarism form in their SC
118 or 120 class, and must fill out the form in each biology class. After this, they are expected to know how to
properly use information from sources. This includes paraphrasing in their own
words, giving sources for all material including pictures used in
presentations, and properly indicating quotes.
In 100 level courses we are teaching
the proper conventions of attribution. Failures to properly format attributions
(e.g. quoting with a citation but without using quotation marks, failing to
cite sources of figures in presentations) may be corrected by revision on the
first offense. The second incidence of
plagiarism will result in a U for the assignment without an opportunity for
revision. Failures in attribution on
any additional assignments will result in a U for the course and will also be
reported to the student’s advisor. The
Biology Department regularly reviews and tracks occurrences of plagiarism that
result in a U for the course.
In more advanced courses (200 level and
above) we assume that students know and understand the importance of proper
attribution. Failure to use it will result in a U on the paper or presentation
and a note in the student’s biology file.
In advanced courses (200 level and above) repeated or multiple failures
in attribution, whether in the same or subsequent courses, will be treated as
intentional plagiarism, will result in a U in the course, and will be reported
to the student’s advisor. The Biology Department regularly reviews and tracks occurrences
of plagiarism that result in a U for the course.
If a
student does not know whether what she intends to do is plagiarism or not, it
is her responsibility to ask the instructor. This is especially important where
the assigned work at risk may be required to pass the course.
A lot of Alverno work is collaborative, but most
assessments and some key assignments are not.
Academic dishonesty includes copying work from other students or sharing
data on assignments which have been assigned as individual work, seeking help
from others on take-home assessments, using unauthorized notes during assessments
or quizzes, and using any other unauthorized sources of information on
assessments or quizzes. Allowing work to
be copied or providing help on individual assignments is as much cheating as
copying another’s work. Students are responsible for asking the instructor if
they are in any doubt about what resources have been authorized for use on
takehome assignments, homework, or assessments.
To avoid accusations of academic dishonesty, students
should be aware of and avoid suspicious behavior during assessments and
quizzes.
Accusations of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by
the Biology Department. Confirmed cases of academic dishonesty may result in a
U for the course or a U on the assignment with no opportunity for retake, and
will be reported to the student’s advisor and noted in her biology file. The Biology Department regularly reviews and
tracks occurrences of academic dishonesty that result in a U for a course. A second instance of academic dishonesty,
whether in the same or a subsequent course, will result in a U for the course,
and most likely in expulsion.
In
upper-level courses, students are expected to understand what constitutes cheating,
and the first instance of these behaviors will be treated as intentional
dishonesty. The penalty will be
determined by the instructor/instructors teaching the course, with or without
consultation with the student’s major advisor or the Biology Department.
I understand the above biology department academic honesty policy:
(print your name and student number)
Signature Date