Some Scenarios for Individual Homework

Many courses require students to submit homework, based on their own work.

Expectations vary by instructor, course, and assignment. Here are some common expectations.

• In a science lab, data may be collected by a group, but the write up is to be done by each individual.

• Problem sets (e.g., in mathematics or physics) are to be written up by each individual.

  • Often you may consult your notes or the textbook.
  • Sometimes you may talk to a tutor or mentor or member of the Math Lab or Science Teaching and Learning Center.
  • Sometimes you may be allowed to talk with other classmates.

  Point: In the course, you likely are supposed to be learning how to solve problems, not how you can rely upon others.

• In a paper for the social sciences, you are supposed to present your ideas, based on your study and insights.

  • Your paper may or may not be allowed to draw upon work of others, BUT
  • the presentation of ideas and the logical arguments supporting your ideas should be your work, not others.

• In a literature, art, or music course, you often need to present your analysis of the work, not what others think.

In many courses, process is very important.

• Instructor likely can complete the problem
• If the point of the exercise was to get a correct answer,
  • faster for the instructor to do the work
  • if done by instructor, no need to spend time grading
  • no need to cause students to spend time and effort

In each course, check with your instructor about rules and allowed practices.

created 17 August 2013 last revised 19 August 2013

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