Policies

Academic Integrity

“With its status as a world-class research institution, it is critical that the University uphold the highest standards of integrity both inside and outside the classroom. As a student and member of the UCLA community, you are expected to demonstrate integrity in all of your academic endeavors. Accordingly, when accusations of academic dishonesty occur, The Office of the Dean of Students is charged with investigating and adjudicating suspected violations. Academic dishonesty, includes, but is not limited to, cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, multiple submissions or facilitating academic misconduct.” Source: The Office of the Dean of Students

Students are expected to be aware of the University policy on academic integrity in the UCLA Student Conduct Code. Please note sections on (1) cheating (including unauthorized study aids) and (2) plagiarism: https://www.deanofstudents.ucla.edu/Individual-Student-Code.

Violation of course policy involving plagiarism, cheating or possession of course materials during examination will be referred to the Dean of Students who will be encouraged to take strong action. Do not cheat! The penalties can be very harsh. Do not believe it if you hear that “everyone does it.” You generally do not hear about the punishments because they are kept confidential. If you are found responsible by the Dean of Students for violating course policy, cheating on any course materials, helping someone else or being helped, a zero will be assigned for the entire assignment, and no exceptions will be made! Past examples of penalties also include loss of an entire term of credit and suspension for several terms. If you plan to apply to graduate or professional school, such a negative mark on your record may be a major obstacle to admission. The Dean of Students Office is 1104 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-3894.

Excused Absences – Required Documentation for Discussion/Midterm/Lab Absences

Verification of medical disability and other excused absence documentation are to be hand delivered to the LS Core office for proper handling.

If you have missed a discussion section or exam, you may bring your documentation to the Core office once you are cleared to return to classes. For lab absences, please submit documentation to the LS Core Labs prep room located in Young Hall, room 2344.

Laboratory Section Absence (rev. 2009)

Students must attend the laboratory section in which they are enrolled. Make-up labs will not be granted. If a student has a legitimate, excused absence (with documentation), lab points can be pro-rated. If a University-sanctioned activity conflicts with a scheduled lab, with advance notice and appropriate documentation alternate accommodation may be possible if space permits.

Evening exams

During the academic year, our courses (LS 7A, 7B, 7C, 15, 20, 30A, 30B, 40 and 107) will have evening midterm exams from 6:00pm-7:50pm. Dates of these evening exams are posted in the Schedule of Classes, to enable you to make class and work arrangements accordingly so that you are free to take the evening exams at the scheduled times.

Exam Guidelines

  1. DO NOT ARRIVE LATE FOR THE EXAM!!! There will be NO accommodation for late arrivals.
  2. In order to receive a test you must present your Bruin ID prior to receiving exam. If you do not have your ID, you will not receive a test.
  3. Backpacks, books, notes, etc., must be left at the FRONT of the room with the TA/proctor; there are to be no notes or other forms of papers on or near a student’s desk. Either leave it in your backpack or do not bring it at all.
  4. No cell phones or smart watches are allowed during the exam – you may leave it in your backpack turned off. Students may NOT use a cell phone or smart watch as a clock to keep time. If a cell phone goes off during the test, it is a TA’s right to confiscate for the remainder of test and possibly dismiss you from the remainder of the exam.
  5. No hats in the testing room; you may leave it in your backpack.
  6. Go to the restroom before the exam starts!
  7. A Scantron form will be provided, however, you will need to bring a #2 pencil and eraser (to use on the Scantron form) and a pen for writing responses to short answer questions.

Final Examination Alternate Dates (rev. 08/08/18)

In compliance with Section 92640 of the California Education Code, the University must accommodate requests for alternate examination dates for any test or examination at a time when that activity would not violate a student’s religious creed. This requirement does not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably be avoided

Faculty members should remember that while it is fully in their discretion to make arrangements with individual students for alternate examination times, including final examinations, faculty members must conduct the scheduled final examination for the class as a whole at the times and places established by the department chair and the Registrar’s Office.

This text was taken directly from the UCLA Registrar’s Office webpage: https://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Registration-Classes/Examinations/Alternate-Examination-Policies

Final Exam Viewing Policy (rev. 03/25/09)

    • The Life Sciences Core Office retains final exams for Life Sciences LS 7A, 7B, 7C, 15, 20, 30A, 30B, 40, and 107.
    • Exams are retained for student viewing for one (1) quarter.
      • Fall exams may be viewed the following Winter quarter
      • Winter exams may be viewed the following Spring quarter
      • Spring and Summer exams may be viewed the following Fall quarter
      • You may view your final exam up to two (2) times, so make sure you have plenty of time when you come in.
    • Exams and keys are available beginning week three (3) of the quarter and remain available through week 10.
    • The office is open from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm unless otherwise posted. Exams may be viewed Monday – Friday 9:30am-11:30am beginning Wednesday of Week 3, unless otherwise posted.
    • Students may view their final exam and a copy of the answer key with their Bruincard.
    • Exams are not available for viewing during final exam week, between quarters or during summer sessions.
    • Students may NOT write on their own exam or on the answer key. Notes may be taken on a separate piece of paper.
    • Final exams and/or answer keys may NOT be photocopied, photographed or duplicated electronically.

Incomplete Grades (rev. 08/08/18)

Once a grade of Incomplete (I) is assigned, it remains on the transcript along with the passing grade students may later receive for the course. The instructor may assign the grade I when work is of passing quality but is incomplete for a good cause (such as illness or other serious problem). It is the student’s responsibility to discuss with the instructor the possibility of receiving an Incomplete as opposed to a nonpassing grade.

If a grade of I is assigned, students may receive unit credit and grade points by satisfactorily completing the coursework as specified by the instructor. Students should not re-enroll in the course; if they do, it is recorded twice on the transcript. If the work is not completed by the end of the next full term in residence, the I lapses to an F, NP, or U as appropriate. For undergraduate students, the College or school may extend the deadline in unusual cases.

This text was taken directly from the Grades page under Academic Policies in the General Catalog: http://catalog.registrar.ucla.edu/ucla-catalog18-19-118.html

The Life Sciences Core discourages the assignment of Incomplete for any student who has performed more that one standard deviation below the average on midterms, or who is missing a midterm exam. This is in keeping with the policy from the UCLA General Catalog, which states that the student’s work must be complete and passing.

Concurrent Enrollment through UCLA Extension (UNEX) (rev. 10/2009)

The Life Sciences Core Education office has the following policy for Concurrent Enrollment for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters

    • Beginning 9AM Monday of Week 3, students may bring their UNEX enrollment application to the Core office (Life Sciences Building, Room 2305).
      • The last day and time to bring enrollment application for processing to the Core office is 3:00pm on Thursday of Week 3.
    • Students are required to show photo ID (Bruincard or Driver’s License) in order to obtain approval and receive signature to concurrently enroll in any of the LS Core courses. In addition, approval and enrollment will only be granted to the student requesting enrollment. There are NO exceptions to this rule.
    • Approval will only be granted to enroll in requested section, should space permit.
    • Students have 24 hours to take the signed application to the Extension office to submit payment.
    • Students will need to return to the Core office by no later then 3:00pm of receiving signature and approval from the LS Core office with the
      following materials:
      • Yellow carbon copy of enrollment application
      • Original receipt showing proof of payment made within 24 hours
      • UID #
      • BOL ID
    • IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE:
      • Only 1 application per person per class per quarter
      • The Core office may close during certain periods of the day for mandatory meetings. Make certain to process application in a timely manner to avoid missing deadline.
      • Should a course have a scheduled midterm during Week 3, concurrent enrollment must be processed and proof of payment returned to the LS Core office by 3:00pm of the day of the midterm.
      • The Core office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm, unless otherwise noted on the Core office door.

Permanently Swapping Sections (rev. 2009)

    • If you are enrolled in a section with a time conflict, you may email your classmates with hopes of finding someone willing to switch with you. You may do this by logging onto my.ucla.edu and clicking on ‘Classmates’ under the LS course, then copy and paste their email addresses onto your email. Below is a sample email.

      Hi LS 7B Students,

      I’m enrolled in LS 7B Section 2A and I have a time conflict. If you are enrolled in any of the sections listed below and are willing to switch, please email me or call me at ________.

      Thank you,

      Joe Bruin

    • Once you find someone to switch, please arrange a time with your fellow classmate to visit the LS Core Office to make the change official. Both students must be present with their Bruincard.