Rutgers University Department of Physics and Astronomy

Academic Integrity

Rutgers University has established policies concerning academic integrity. Policies and resources can be found in detail at http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/.

Here we briefly review some aspects - This is not an exhaustive list! - of the policy for both undergraduate and graduate students in Physics and Astronomy.

The Graduate School - New Brunswick publishes a brochure Academic Integrity: Issues for Graduate Students.

Professional societies also have established policies concerning academic integrity. The American Physical Society policy statements, available here, include a Guideline on Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct. The American Astronomical Society policies include a Code of Ethics and Professional and Ethical Standards for the AAS Journals.

Violations of academic integrity are treated following Rutgers policy, and might result in penalties ranging from no credit for an assignment, to a failing grade in a class, to dismissal from the university.

Questions about academic integrity should be addressed at a local level first, if possible. Within a classroom setting, you should initiate a discussion with the faculty in the class, or with the undergraduate / graduate director. Within a research setting, you should initiate a discussion first within the research group.

Revised Mar 8, 2024