Computer Science Department Code of Ethics

Adapted from the IEEE Code of Ethics
In recognition of the importance of technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession and to the communities we serve, we commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct.

Further, we agree:

1. To accept responsibility for decisions we make.
2. To make decisions that are consistent with the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
3. To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them when they do exist.
4. To be honest and realistic in stating claims and estimates.
5. To reject bribery in all its forms.
6. To undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience.
7. To seek and accept honest criticism of our technical work and to acknowledge and correct our errors.
8. To reject plagiarism and to acknowledge and credit the contributions of others. See the Collaboration Policy.
9. To treat fairly all persons.
10. To avoid offending others by personal remarks or by use of electronic media; and to avoid injuring the reputation, property, or employment of others by false or malicious action.
11. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following this code of ethics.

Computer Science Collaboration Policy

The department encourages students to work together, since this is how much learning takes place and since this is what students will do in the workplace. On the other hand, stealing someone else's ideas or having one person work out the details of an assignment for someone else is unethical.

The Faculty strongly endorse the code of ethics spelled out in the Pachyderm (the Tufts Student Handbook), pp. 156-7 which states

"... Students [should] submit work that is the product of their own thinking and effort ... Proper attribution of others' words and ideas must be made."

With respect to collaboration, these are the default departmental guidelines, in effect unless specifically modified for a particular course:

1. Collaboration on exams is absolutely prohibited.
2. Blatant copying of homework or projects is also prohibited.
3. On homework and projects collaboration is allowed at the level of discussing ideas, but credit must be given to the other parties, whether you gave or received help. A simple statement on the homework/project sheet (such as "I helped Charles Thevenin on problem 1." or "Alan Turing helped me with part c of problem 2." or "Grace Hopper and I discussed the design of COBOL.") will suffice.
4. If you use material from sources (books, articles, Web pages, etc.) other than those required or provided by the instructor, you should acknowledge the sources, giving enough information that they can be located.

Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disciplinary action. (See the Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Academic Integrity booklet) Faculty, TA's and graders will strictly enforce these guidelines.