Academic Policies
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Policy on Academic Integrity
The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at the Pennsylvania State University considers academic training to be apprenticeship for practice in the professions. Students are expected to demonstrate a code of moral integrity and ethical standards commensurate with the high expectations that society places upon professional practice. Accordingly, it is the policy of the department to maintain the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity. The Council of Academic Deans statement describing academic integrity can be found at http://www.engr.psu.edu/Forms/AcademicIntegrity/AcademicIntegrityStatement.pdf
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, copying on tests, plagiarizing, acts of aiding or abetting, unauthorized possession of materials, tampering with work, ghosting, altering examinations and theft of any property (hardware, software, lab equipment and supplies, intellectual property, etc.). Students are encouraged to report incidents of academic dishonesty to their instructors in order to promote a fair academic climate and equal opportunity learning environment.
A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charge by the instructor. A student contesting such a charge may seek redress through informal discussions with the instructor(s), department head or college dean. If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant referral to the Office of Conduct Standards, or if the instructor awards a final grade of F in the course because of the infraction, the student and instructor will be afforded formal due process procedures governed by Penn State Senate Policy 49-20. Policy 49-20 and procedures can be found in the document “Policy and Rules for Students” issued annually by the Senate Office and available through each student’s home department or college dean’s office. Academic Integrity policy information can also be found on the web at http://www.engr.psu.edu/CurrentStudents/acadinteg.aspx
Professor Judith A. Todd
P. B. Breneman Department Head Chair
Developed Fall 2002