Science Department Honor Code


SCIENCE DEPARTMENT 

The NCS Honor Code 

 

“Honesty, in school as in life, is of paramount importance.  Lying, cheating, and stealing will not be tolerated.” 

--The NCS Honor Code 

 

Academic honesty is at the heart of the NCS Honor Code.  In his book, Doing Honest Work in College, Charles Lipson identifies “three simple but powerful principles” of academic honesty: 

  • “When you say you did the work yourself, you actually did it. 

  • When you rely on someone else’s work, you cite it. When you use their words, you quote them openly and accurately, and you cite them, too. 

  • When you present research materials, you present them fairly and truthfully. That’s true whether the research involves data, documents, or the writings of other scholars.”1 

 

Every member of the NCS community – students, faculty, and staff – is bound to follow these basic principles as they go about their work. The information below is designed to help you understand how these principles work in specific situations in science. 

 

General Guidelines 

  • Uphold the honor code and include the honor code statement on all work that is used as a basis for evaluation. 

  • Your teacher will indicate how an assignment is to be prepared; i.e., individually, with a partner, or as a group.  If you have questions, ask the teacher until the expectations are clear.  

  • Always use electronic devices in appropriate, relevant, and honest ways. 

 

Tests and Quizzes 

  • Until the assessment is graded and returned, you should not talk about the form, content, or degree of difficulty with other students. 

  • Information about the content of tests or quizzes should not be shared with any student who might be taking the test or quiz at any other time. 

 

Papers and/or Projects 

  • You must cite the works you use in your research. 

 

Laboratory Experiments and Activities 

  • Never change or make up data. 

  • Unless directed to ignore certain data by your teacher, use all of the collected data in your analysis. 

 

Technology 

  • The use of generative AI on any assignment requires teacher permission and it must be cited.  Failure to disclose the use of generative AI will be considered a violation of our honor code. 

  • Do not store or use inappropriate information in your electronic devices. 

  • Do not share electronic files or other electronic information inappropriately. 

 

Honest work is always expected. If your teacher’s guidelines are unclear, ask for clarification. Use this handout as a reference as you work.  

 

 

I have read and understand this document. _______________________________     Date: ________________ 

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I have read and understand this document. _______________________________     Date: ________________ 

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