Graduate Academic Integrity Module

The University of Waterloo recognizes that its graduate students come from a variety of cultural and educational backgrounds, and that expectations about academic integrity can differ from one institution to another. To satisfy this need for consistency across graduate programs and to inform and support our graduate students, the University of Waterloo has created the mandatory Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM).

The Graduate AIM is an online course that all new graduate students are required to take through Waterloo LEARN. The Graduate AIM is not visible in LEARN until the first day of classes each term. Students must read the information about academic integrity and then receive a mark of at least 75% on an online quiz. The quiz must be successfully completed within the first 8 weeks of the term.

The Graduate Academic Integrity Module does not replace or substitute your participation in academic integrity milestones that are required in the Faculties of AHS, ARTS and SCI. Students in AHS, ARTS and SCI must complete both requirements. For more information about Faculty milestones (e.g. academic integrity workshops), contact your Graduate Studies Coordinator.

*Please note: Any time a student begins a new program, they must complete the Grad AIM. For example, students who have completed the Grad AIM at the Master's level and then are admitted or transfer to a PhD program must still complete the Grad AIM at the beginning of their program. Students who have completed the Grad AIM at the PhD level and are admitted or transferred to a Master's program must still complete the Grad AIM a the beginning of their program.

What will I learn in the Graduate AIM?

Content found in the Grad AIM includes:

University policies on academic offences, intellectual property, student discipline, etc.
Common violations of academic integrity such as
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized collaboration
- Fabrication and falsification
Resources offered campus-wide to help you act with integrity in all aspects of your university life

The goal of the Graduate AIM is to ensure that all graduate students are given the resources and information to work, study, and play with integrity.

*Please note: the Graduate Academic Integrity Module does not replace or substitute your participation in academic integrity milestones that are required in the Faculties of AHS, ARTS and SCI. Students in AHS, ARTS and SCI must complete both requirements.

How do I access the Graduate AIM?

The Graduate AIM is visible in Learn for fees arranged students on the first day of classes each term. If you become fees arranged on a subsequent date, please allow 1-2 business days for the Graduate AIM to show up in Learn.

The following video will explain how to access the Graduate AIM through the Waterloo LEARN system.

You will learn how to:

Log in to LEARN
Find the Graduate AIM
Access the Graduate AIM's content and quiz

Watch video on YouTube

Graduate AIM Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I enrolled in the Graduate AIM?

Why can't I see the Graduate AIM in LEARN?

Does my score in the Graduate AIM affect my GPA?

How do I complete the Graduate AIM?

I completed the Graduate AIM for my Master's degree at UW. Do I need to complete it again now that I am a PhD student?

How long does the Graduate AIM take to complete?

I didn't get a 75% on the Graduate AIM quiz. Can I retake it?

Is there a due date for the Graduate AIM?

What happens if I do not complete the Graduate AIM?

Are there any other academic integrity requirements I need to complete?

I don't see the Graduate AIM on LEARN - what does that mean?

Q: Why am I enrolled in the Graduate AIM?

A: All incoming graduate students are required to complete the Graduate AIM. This ensures that everyone has the same access to information about academic integrity, and understands what it means to act with integrity.

Q: Why can't I see the Graduate AIM in LEARN?

A: The Graduate AIM is not visible in LEARN until the first day of classes each term.

Q: Does my score in the Graduate AIM affect my Grade Point Average (GPA)?

A: No, the Graduate AIM does not affect your GPA. When you successfully complete the Graduate AIM by scoring at least 75% on the quiz portion of the module, it will appear on your transcript on Quest as “Completed” and graded as “CR” (Credit Granted).

Q: How do I complete the Graduate AIM?

A: To complete the Graduate AIM, you must read the tutorial material and then receive at least a 75% on the quiz. For instructions on how to find the Graduate AIM in LEARN, visit "How do I access the Graduate AIM?"

Q: I completed the Graduate AIM for my Master's degree at UW. Do I need to complete it again now that I am a PhD student?

A: Yes. Anytime a students begins or transfers into a new program, they must complete the Grad AIM.

Q: How long does the Graduate AIM take to complete?

A: The Graduate AIM should only take you one hour to two hours to complete, depending on your pace. This time includes an in-depth reading of the material, and careful consideration of the quiz questions.

Q: I didn't get a 75% on the Graduate AIM quiz. Can I retake it?

A: You have five tries to get at least a 75% on the Graduate AIM quiz. If you did not get a 75% on the first attempt, we strongly recommend that you reread the tutorial material before retaking the quiz.

If you are not successful after five attempts, the Office of Academic Integrity will contact you to discuss what happened. You will then be re-enrolled in the Graduate AIM and given an additional five attempts.

Q: Is there a due date for the Graduate AIM?

A: You must successfully complete the Graduate AIM by 8 weeks into the term. The exact date will be provided to you and is dependent on your start date in your program (e.g., Winter, Fall or Spring start).

Q: What happens if I do not complete the Graduate AIM before the due date?

A: The Graduate AIM should take one to two hours to complete, so it is easy to set aside time for it. If you do not complete the Graduate AIM a "Hold" will appear in your Quest account and prevent you from registering for future courses.

After the deadline, you will no longer be able to access the Graduate AIM quiz. The Office of Academic Integrity will contact you in regards to completing the quiz. Remember, you must successfully complete the Graduate AIM quiz to enrol in future courses!

Q: I’m a new graduate student, but when I log into LEARN I don’t see the Graduate AIM. What does that mean?

A: The Graduate AIM was implemented in September 2013 and is now a required course for all new graduate students. Access to the course is only available to students who have paid tuition or are "Fees Arranged" in Quest. If you have not paid tuition or become "Fees Arranged," the Graduate AIM will not appear in LEARN.

If you have paid tuition or become "Fees Arranged", but you still do not see a link to the Graduate AIM in LEARN, please wait a few days for the system to recognize your arrangement. If you have waited but still do not see the Graduate AIM, it is an administrative error. Please contact the course administrator, Erin Nearing, to have this error corrected.

Are there any other academic integrity requirements that I need to complete?

Students in AHS, ARTS and SCI may have seperate academic integrity milestones (e.g. a workshop). These workshops are separate from the Graduate AIM. If you have questions about Faculty milestones, contact your Graduate Studies Coordinator.

Still have questions? Please contact the course administrator, Erin Nearing, by email (academic.integrity@uwaterloo.ca) or at 519-888-4567 ext. 36631.