Collaboration enhances the learning experience. We encourage collaboration in various ways throughout the course.

• Assignments: You may work on assignments (but not quizzes) in groups of up to three. We encourage groups of two! We grumblingly allow groups of three. Groups are described below. Your group may also work with any other person or resource subject to five rules:
  • The group must spend at least 15 minutes working on each problem independently before collaborating with others.
  • Collaboration with others is limited to discussion and brainstorming. No record of any sort (e.g., written or electronic material) may be exchanged or leave the brainstorming session.
  • After collaborating, each student must take a half-hour break from the problem. Watching some brainless TV is a recommended activity. In other words, do something so distracting and inane that you must have learned anything you can reconstruct afterward. Treat electronic resources you consult like written resources (set them aside for a half-hour and then do not consult them while writing your solution).
  • Each group must write their own independent solution, using their own words to prove that they understand the problem on their own.
  • Groups must acknowledge all collaborators or sources of assistance in their submission, although you need only name CPSC 320 course staff, handouts, and required textbooks if you quote or adapt directly from them. (Despite previous rules, you may record the names of people you collaborate with! RECORD EVERYONE IN YOUR QUIZ GROUP IN TUTORIAL!).
• Exams/Quizzes will follow the University’s Rules Governing Formal Examination, including disallowing any communication by any means with anyone besides the exam’s invigilators except where specifically noted in exam instructions (i.e., in the group sections).

Violation of any of these rules constitutes academic misconduct and is subject to penalties ranging from a grade of zero on a particular assignment to indefinite suspension from the University. If you are uncertain as to what is or is not reasonable collaboration, please contact the instructor. If you are having problems understanding or keeping up with the material, please contact the instructor or a TA to discuss how we can fix the problem. Don't cheat!

University Policy on Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is essential to the continued functioning of the University of British Columbia as an institution of higher learning and research. All UBC students are expected to behave as honest and responsible members of an academic community. Breach of those expectations or failure to follow the appropriate policies, principles, rules, and guidelines of the University with respect to academic honesty may result in disciplinary action.  (http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/Vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,286,0,0#15620)

A more detailed description of academic integrity, including the University's policies and procedures, can be found in the UBC Calendar at:

http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/Vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,54,111,0