COMP101 - NOTES FOR STUDENTS REGARDING PLAGIARISM AND COLLUSION

1. INTRODUCTION

Unfortunately, it occasionally happens on COMP101 (and other University modules) that cases of plagiarism and collusion occur. In the broad context of the programmes on offer by the Computer Science (CS) Department: definitions, and details of the consequences in the event of plagiarism and unacknowledged collusion; can be found in the Computer Science Handbook. However, so that all COMP101 students are clear as to the nature and consequences of plagiarism and collusion with respect to COMP101 practicals, the following should be noted.

2. PLAGIARISM

Section 8.1 of the University's Code of Practice on Assessment provides the following definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when a student misrepresents, as his/her own work, the work, written or otherwise, of any other person (including another student) or of any institution. Plagiarism is viewed as a very serious offence in all academic circles. Any COMP101 student found plagiarising somebody else's work, i.e. submitting work that is not their own (for example obtained from the WWW), will be awarded a mark of 0 for the practical in question. Any further instances may result in the student failing the module or being dismissed from the University.

3. COLLUSION

Plagiarism, as defined above, is a very rare occurrence on COMP101. In circumstances where a student X is found to have submitted an identical piece of work to that of a student Y this has usually been done with at least the partial collusion or knowledge of Y. For example Y may have emailed their code to X, or supplied X with a print-out of their code. Although this is still plagiarism in the true sense of the word the work in question has not been obtained by wholly fraudulent means. The University thus definede this form of plagiarism as collusion; which, although not viewed as seriously as plagiarism, will still attract a mark of 0 for all parties involved.

Section 8.1 of the University's Code of Practice on Assessment provides the following definition of collusion: Collusion occurs when, unless with official approval (e.g. in the case of group projects), two or more students consciously collaborate in the preparation and production of work which is ultimately submitted by each in an identical, or substantially similar, form and/or is represented by each to be the product of his or her individual efforts. Collusion also occurs where there is unauthorised co-operation between a student and another person in the preparation and production of work which is presented as the student's own.

The exchange of ideas and knowledge amongst students is seen as an important, and perfectly legitimate, aspect of University life and is therefore encouraged. It is fully expected that such exchange of ideas may extend to more able students assisting less able students. However such exchange of ideas should not extend to collusions as descruibed above.