Ethics & Code of Conduct

As University of Florida students, students in the CISE Department, and as Computer Scientists and Engineers, students are expected and required to follow the Ethical Standards and Codes of Conduct laid out below:

Academic Honesty

Students are required to respect the ethical standards for academic honesty established by the Office for Student Judicial Affairs (P202 Peabody Hall, 392-1261).

CISE Student Code of Conduct

As students at the University of Florida and in the CISE Department, you will be held to the following standards:

  1. Be Honest: Always do your assignments and exams honestly. Do not copy from others or cheat.
  2. Be Courteous: Do not spam faculty, staff, or others for jobs or other opportunities. 
  3. Act Professionally: Treat everyone with kindness and respect.
  4. Work Well with Others: Listen and communicate clearly when working in groups.
  5. Follow Research Rules: Follow all rules for research. Ensure your work is honest and meets university standards.
  6. Use Resources Carefully: Handle university equipment and labs responsibly.
  7. Use AI Responsibly: Do not use AI tools to do your work for you or in ways that are not allowed. Always use AI ethically and under the guidelines provided by the university.
  8. Use Proper Email Habits: When emailing faculty and staff, you MUST always include your UFID. Keep your emails short and to the point; do not include any excess information unless specifically asked for it.

These rules are designed to help maintain a respectful and ethical academic environment. Violation of these expectations can have academic consequences such as a delay in your ability to register for the upcoming term.

The University of Florida Student Honor Code

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Student Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by Students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.”

  • All students admitted to the University of Florida have signed a statement of academic honesty committing themselves to be honest in all academic work and understanding that failure to comply with this commitment will result in disciplinary action.
  • The statement is a reminder to uphold your obligation as a UF student, and to be honest in all work submitted and all exams.
  • Work submitted must be produced individually by each student, except for tasks explicitly assigned to a group by the instructor.
  • No consultation among students is allowed during exams, unless otherwise stated in an explicit fashion by the instructor.
  • All work submitted individually in the form of exams, homework, computer projects, etc., is subject to the following required or implied pledge:

IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

Software engineers shall commit themselves to making the analysis, specification, design, development, testing and maintenance of software a beneficial and respected profession. In accordance with their commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the public, software engineers shall adhere to the following Eight Principles:

  1. PUBLIC – Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
  2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER – Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.
  3. PRODUCT – Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
  4. JUDGMENT – Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
  5. MANAGEMENT – Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
  6. PROFESSION – Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
  7. COLLEAGUES – Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
  8. SELF – Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.

For the full and expanded Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, click here.

National Society of Professional Engineers: Code of Ethics for Engineers

Fundamental Canons

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

  1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
  2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
  3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
  4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
  5. Avoid deceptive acts.
  6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

For the full and expanded NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers, click here.