CIS Statement on Plagiarism

Computer programming, website development, graphic design, and many other computer-related activities often involve assembling existing material just as much as creating new content. In our industry, pressures like deadlines and budget constraints can lead to solutions being copied or reverse-engineered.

Classroom assignments and projects aim to gauge a student’s individual skills and progress. Unless explicitly stated, students should base their submissions on the material provided by the instructor or from the textbook chapters covered by the assignment's date. Submissions including uncovered work may receive a zero.

Working in teams is sometimes part of the curriculum. However, unless explicitly mentioned, every submission should represent your personal efforts. Any form of copying will be treated as academic dishonesty. If unsure, it's the student’s responsibility to clarify instructions with the instructor.

In this course, cheating—including the unauthorized use of online platforms or tools like ChatGPT to complete assignments—is a serious offense. Penalties, ranging from zero grades to dismissal from the program, will depend on the cheating severity.

While collaboration is encouraged, sharing one's actual work isn't. Demonstrating your work to peers is allowed, but directly giving them code may result in a zero grade for both the giver and receiver.

Always remember: the objective is authentic learning. Plagiarism and cheating might provide short-term advantages but will hinder your long-term growth. Aim to understand, apply, and innovate rather than merely replicate so you will become skilled and employable.

AI student guidelines

Student Guidelines on the Use of AI in Assignments

1. Introduction

These guidelines are designed to help developers understand the acceptable use of AI tools in software development assignments. They aim to promote professional integrity and ethical behavior while leveraging technology to enhance learning and development.

2. What is AI-Assisted Development?

AI-assisted development involves using tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar to aid in coding, debugging, documentation, or concept exploration. This includes, but is not limited to, generating code, suggesting fixes, writing comments, and explaining technical concepts.

3. Acceptable Uses of AI Tools

• Brainstorming and Problem Solving: Use AI to explore approaches to solve a coding problem or to understand complex concepts.

• Code Assistance: Employ AI to generate snippets, refactor code, or provide insights into possible optimizations, provided you understand the output and can explain it.

• Documentation: Use AI for drafting technical documentation or comments, ensuring you verify and revise the content to fit your project.

4. Unacceptable Uses of AI Tools

• Submitting AI-Generated Code as Original: Avoid submitting code or solutions entirely generated or significantly rewritten by AI without personal involvement and understanding.

• Hiding AI Usage: Be transparent about any AI assistance you receive. This helps ensure your understanding of the material and supports fair evaluation.

Example: "I used GitHub Copilot to generate an initial implementation of the sorting algorithm and refined it to improve efficiency."

5. Best Practices for Ethical AI Use

• Understand the Tools: Learn how AI tools work and recognize their limitations to avoid blindly relying on them.

• Own Your Work: Use AI to assist your development process, not replace it. The final product should reflect your logic, design decisions, and technical skills.

• Verify and Test: Always review and rigorously test any code or content generated by AI tools. This ensures functionality, correctness, and alignment with the project’s requirements.

6. Procedures for Addressing Suspected AI Misuse

• Initial Review: If misuse of AI tools is suspected, the instructor may review the work using AI detection tools, code comparison, and manual inspection.

• Consultation: The student will be informed of the concerns and asked to explain their process or make revisions to demonstrate their understanding.

7. Consequences of Misuse

Misusing AI tools can result in academic penalties, including:

• A warning and required resubmission of the assignment.

• Loss of credit for the assignment.

• Further disciplinary action for repeated violations, which may include course failure or additional sanctions.

8. Review and Feedback

These guidelines will be updated regularly to reflect advancements in AI technologies and best practices in software development education. Feedback is encouraged to ensure clarity and relevance.

By adhering to these guidelines, developers can responsibly and effectively integrate AI into their workflows, enhancing both learning and professional growth.