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Faculty of Science

Department Of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

Academic Integrity

  • All members of the University community (students, faculty, instructors, staff and invigilators) have responsibility for the maintenance of an atmosphere of academic integrity in all phases of academic life, including research, teaching, learning and administration.
  • All members of the University have the responsibility to:
    • a) detect and report incidents of academic dishonesty, falsification of documents, etc.; and
    • b) provide assistance and co-operation in the prosecution of alleged offenders
  • Faculty should be familiar with the Academic Integrity Policy.
  • Here is a practical guide to Preventing Academic Dishonesty.

 

In the case that academic dishonesty is suspected, please follow the steps below

Expandable List

  • Collect any information that supports your suspicion of academic dishonesty
  • Contact the Office of Academic Integrity (ext. 24303 or acinteg@mcmaster.ca) with your concerns to ensure that the student is precluded from withdrawing from the course to avoid penalty or sanction
  • Contact the student to inform him/her of your concerns, and provide the student with a fair opportunity to respond (this is typically done in person)
  • Based on your discussion(s) and a review of all relevant evidence, determine whether you think the student has committed academic dishonesty
  • if you think the student has committed academic dishonesty, contact the Office of Academic Integrity to inquire whether it is his/her first such offence (ext. 24303 or acinteg@mcmaster.ca)

If 1st Offence:

  • Decide on the penalty to be imposed, usually one of two types:
    • a reduced mark on the piece of academic work
    • a grade of zero on the piece of academic work
  • Inform the student in writing of this decision and his/her right to appeal
  • In the event of a serious first offence, you may request that the case be heard by a Faculty Adjudicator, which may result in more severe penalties (see section below)

If Serious 1st Offence, a graduate student, or a 2nd Offence:

  • That Office begins the process of referring the case to a Faculty Adjudicator
  • It is the faculty member’s responsibility to present the evidence of academic dishonesty, both in writing, by submitting the foregoing report, and orally, at the hearing