|
The Graduate School’s Academic Integrity Tutorial
Students arriving at UMBC to begin graduate study come from very different places and backgrounds. Some have had little undergraduate instruction on topics such as plagiarism and the proper citation of sources. Others have come from countries where norms of academic integrity are very different from those in the United States. Because of this, we have developed a tutorial that is required of all entering graduate students.
Academic Integrity is a very complex set of ethical policies and principles, and this tutorial provides only a basic, elementary overview. It is, in effect, “Academic Integrity 101.” Each academic discipline has its own variations to the policies, definitions, and examples presented here. Students are encouraged to delve more deeply into the topics outlined in this tutorial by reading some of the references presented in the final chapter, Bibliography and Additional Reading. You are also encouraged to consult with faculty in your department for exceptions, modifications, and additional requirements demanded by your particular discipline.
If you need to report an instance of academic misconduct, speak to the appropriate faculty member. The university policy states that, “Each faculty member is responsible for maintaining academic integrity in his or her courses and has the authority to determine whether a student has engaged in academic misconduct.” 1
Throughout your studies at UMBC, the faculty and staff are available to assist in assuring that you adhere to the concepts of academic integrity. Please contact the faculty and staff in your department and/or the Graduate School if you have questions or are unsure of how to adhere to these policies.
This web document will be continually updated and modified to better represent the wide range of topics and disciplines covered.
Taking the Tutorial
Each new degree-seeking graduate student entering UMBC is required to pass the test by September 15 (Fall) or February 15 (Spring). Failure to complete the tutorial and pass the test with a score of 85% or above will result in your registration being blocked for future terms.
You must be enrolled in the tutorial to gain access.
When you are ready to begin the tutorial:
Login to Blackboard at blackboard.umbc.edu.
After you login, click on Organizations. This should list the organizations and courses in which you participate.
Click on the Graduate School Academic Integrity Tutorial tab.
You must have a score of 85% or above to successfully complete the tutorial.
If you are a continuing student or UMBC faculty, and do not have access to the tutorial on Blackboard, but wish to be enrolled, please send an e-mail request to Patricia Winborn. Include your name and UMBC email address.
Acknowledgements
This tutorial was developed in 2003 for UMBC by Dr. Barbara E. Lovitts, a national authority on issues of higher education, who was at the time affiliated with the University of Maryland, College Park. Technical support was provided by Mr. Tom Armstrong, doctoral student in Computer Sciences in 2003-2006, and Mr. Robert Armstrong, UMBC Office of Information Technology. Ms. Elizabeth B. Douglass, UMBC’s Director of Graduate Enrollment (1997-2006), edited the tutorial based on recommendations and test questions provided by numerous graduate faculty. UMBC gratefully acknowledges the materials on academic integrity obtained from the websites of the following universities: California State University at Los Angeles, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Phoenix, University of Texas, University of Toronto.
1 UMBC, April 1995, Policy and Procedures for Student Academic Misconduct, http://www.umbc.edu/gradschool/docs/01append4.pdf, p. 257, (February 3, 2005).
|
