A Wave of Cheating Cases in CS50

Over 60 enrollees in Harvard's flagship computer science course appeared before the Honor Council to face allegations of academic dishonesty. Here's a look at what's happened and why.

By Crimson News Staff

Some Accused of Cheating in CS50 Sought Legal Counsel
One lawyer said Harvard is unlikely to face lawsuits from students accused of cheating in CS50 because the cases are “awfully hard” to prosecute.
By Hannah Natanson
CS50 Fair
In Yale's CS50, Cheating Cases Rare
Only five Yale students faced academic dishonesty charges involving computer code for any course in fall 2016.
By Derek G. Xiao
Binary Lights
In ‘Unusual’ Timeline, Honor Council Review of CS50 Cases Lasted Through February
​The email from CS50 head instructor David J. Malan ’99 arrived when one student was sitting in the airport on Jan. 9, waiting to board a flight home for winter break.
By Hannah Natanson
CS50
As CS50 Expanded, Course Materials Became More Publicly Available
Some CS50 staffers said the course’s recent expansion and online availability of answer keys likely contributed to high levels of academic dishonesty.
By Hannah Natanson
The FAS Dean
With CS50 Cheating Cases, FAS Dean Taking Hands-Off Approach
FAS Dean Michael D. Smith said he was reluctant “to get involved too deeply” in the Computer Science department, where he still teaches.
By Mia C. Karr
Binary Lights
Under CS50 Policy, Accused Students Likely Left in Dark
Because of the way CS50 reviews cases of academic dishonesty, students likely did not learn of cheating allegations against them until months after they potentially violated course policy.
By Hannah Natanson
CS50 Office Hours in Widener
For Some in CS50, Collaboration Policy Was Too Vague
Former students and course staff said course policy was unclear about what constituted cheating, creating the potential for unintentional violations.
By Graham W. Bishai and Derek G. Xiao
CS50 Lecture
More than 60 Fall CS50 Enrollees Faced Academic Dishonesty Charges
More than 60 students enrolled in CS50 last semester appeared before the Honor Council in a wave of academic dishonesty cases that has stretched the Council to its limits.
By Hannah Natanson