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Expectation of originality

The Expectations of Originality form has been created to ensure that all students in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science comply with principles of academic integrity prior to submitting coursework such as reports, assignments, lab reports and/or software to their instructors for evaluation.

You must sign and submit one (1) copy of this form to each of your instructors at the beginning of each term. It is not necessary to attach this document to each individual piece of work. 

All students should become familiar with the University’s Code of Conduct (Academic).

Instructions

Please read the following information carefully before completing the form. Should you require clarification on any of the above items please contact your instructor.

All submissions must meet the following requirements

  1. The decision on whether a submission is a group or individual submission is determined by the instructor. Individual submissions are done alone and should not be identical to the submission made by any other student. In the case of group submissions, all individuals in the group must be listed on and must sign this form prior to its submission to the instructor.
  2. All individual and group submissions constitute original work by the individual(s) signing this form.
  3. Direct quotations make up a very small proportion of the text, i.e., not exceeding 5% of the word count.
  4. Material paraphrased from a source (e.g., print sources, multimedia sources, web-based sources, course notes or personal interviews) has been identified by a numerical reference citation.
  5. All of the sources consulted and/or included in the report have been listed in the Reference section of the document.
  6. All drawings, diagrams, photos, maps or other visual items derived from other sources have been identified by numerical reference citations in the caption.
  7. No part of the document has been submitted for any other course.
  8. Any exception to these requirements are indicated on an attached page for the instructor’s review.

  1. A report or assignment consists entirely of ideas, observations, information and conclusions composed by the student(s), except for statements contained within quotation marks and attributed to the best of the student’s/students’ knowledge to their proper source in footnotes or references.
  2. An assignment may not use solutions to assignments of other past or present students/instructors of this course or of any other course.
  3. The document has not been revised or edited by another student who is not an author.
  4. For reports, the guidelines found in Form and Style, by Patrick MacDonagh and Jack Borden (Fourth Edition: May 2000) have been used for this submission.

  1. The data in a lab report represents the results of the experimental work by the student(s), derived only from the experiment itself. There are no additions or modifications derived from any outside source.
  2. In preparing and completing the attached lab report, the labs of other past or present students of this course or any other course have not been consulted, used, copied, paraphrased or relied upon in any manner whatsoever.

  1. The software represents independent work of the student(s).
  2. No other past or present student work (in this course or any other course) has been used in writing this software, except as explicitly documented.
  3. The software consists entirely of code written by the student, except for the use of functions and libraries in the public domain, all of which have been documented on an attached page.
  4. No part of the software has been used in previous submissions except as identified in the documentation.
  5. The documentation of the software includes a reference to any component that the student(s) did not write.
  6. All of the sources consulted while writing this code are listed in the documentation.

The School encourages students to form study groups and discuss their class work. It is an integral part of both the Engineering and Computer Science professions that rely on teamwork, however it is very important to remember that individual assignments and projects must be an individual effort.

To ensure ethical behaviour and eliminate potential problems at University the following tips are recommended.

Homework strategies

  • When meeting with your study group or classmates to discuss class work don’t have a pen or pencil in your hand when discussing upcoming individual assignments. Discuss general ideas and strategies not specific solutions.
  • If completing an assignment in a computer lab, don’t sit next to your friends or share information on each on another’s computer screens

Computer strategies

  • Never share your computer files.
  • If you are sharing a computer or computer programs with another student in a home setting, make sure that your information is locked away in a secured file or on a CD that you remove from the working area. While you are completing your assignment have your friend go to another room. This eliminates the risk of assisting one another or sharing work.

Exam strategies

  • Never sit beside your friends or study partners in mid-term or final exams. This will eliminate the temptation to talk to one another or make eye contact.
  • Empty your pockets before going into the exam. Make sure that all items not required or permitted are securely placed in your locker, backpack or coat pocket at the front of the exam room. Never risk leaving notes or electronic devices in your pockets or on your desktop during an exam.
  • If bringing a dictionary or other allowed reference material to class, make sure to eliminate all notes you may have written in the margins prior to attending the exam.


Don’t take chances and learn the hard way. Be proactive in ensuring your academic integrity.

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