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 graduate students are required to take through Waterloo LEARNThe 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. Graduate students are only required to complete this module once - they do not need to repeat it. Credit for this module will appear at the END of the term in Quest. 

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.

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.

To complete the Grad AIM:

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

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?

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 by the due date?

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 new graduate students beginning a program are required to complete the Graduate AIM. This ensures that everyone has the same access to information about academic integrity. *Note: you only need to complete the GRAD AIM once as a graduate student.

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. Sometimes even after the first day of class this module may not appear unless you are fees arranged. Please be patient.

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

A: No, the Graduate AIM does not affect your GPA. It has no weight and will not impact your average. 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 at the end of the term 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.

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. You will then be re-enrolled in the Graduate AIM and given an additional five attempts.

Also, there is no need to retake the quiz to improve your score if you achieved 75%.

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 at the most 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. You must contact the Office of Academic Integrity to arrange to complete the quiz and remove the "hold" from your account. 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 at academic.integrity@uwaterloo.ca to have this error corrected.

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

Students may have seperate academic integrity milestones (e.g. a workshop) that are organized by their home Faculty. 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 GRAD AIM course administrator at academic.integrity@uwaterloo.ca