AI Use Policy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI, can enhance graduate education and research by supporting data analysis, modeling, problem‑solving, and scientific communication. These tools must be used responsibly, ethically, and transparently, in a manner consistent with academic integrity and professional standards in physics and astronomy. Graduate students are expected to develop and express their own scientific ideas, interpretations, and conclusions in coursework, research, publications, and dissertations.
Generative AI should not be permitted in graded work unless the instructor explicitly allows it. Each course syllabus is expected to select one of three levels: (1) not permitted, (2) permitted for specified tasks with disclosure, or (3) permitted and expected with disclosure.
Students with questions regarding acceptable AI use should consult their course instructor, research advisor, or the Graduate Program Director(s). Course instructors and research advisors are expected to establish additional guidelines appropriate to particular courses, research projects, or research groups.
While AI tools may assist with literature review, coding support, or exploratory analysis, they can also produce inaccurate, incomplete, or biased results. Students are fully responsible for verifying and validating all AI-assisted outputs and for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of their academic and scholarly work. The use of generative AI to produce substantial portions of original text, figures, or scientific reasoning for theses, dissertations, or publications is not appropriate.
Baylor provides secure, enterprise AI solutions, including Microsoft Copilot Chat and Box AI, as listed by Baylor Information Technology Services (ITS) on its AI resources page. FERPA-protected information, personally identifiable information, and other confidential records must never be processed on unapproved or public AI-based platforms. Such information may be processed using Baylor-approved AI solutions only in accordance with applicable Baylor policies and data-protection requirements.
Appropriate Uses of AI
Appropriate uses of AI and/or generative AI in the Physics Graduate Program can include:
- Assisting with understanding and exploring the scientific literature and background concepts.
- Brainstorming and refining research ideas, hypotheses, or models.
- Supporting programming, data analysis, or visualization, provided students understand and take responsibility for all results.
- Editing for grammar, clarity, or organization, but not generating original scholarly text.
- Discipline‑specific AI applications approved by the research advisor; research groups may impose additional guidelines.
- Use of AI tools only after considering intellectual property, data security, and confidentiality concerns with the research advisor.
Transparency and Disclosure
Use of generative AI must be disclosed for coursework, research, and scholarly works, consistent with course policies, departmental expectations, and publisher guidelines.
If AI tools are used for text generation, image creation, data processing, or code development in manuscripts, theses, or dissertations, their use must be disclosed, with a clear description of how and when the tools were employed.
Students should follow relevant professional society and journal guidelines, including those of the American Physical Society (APS), American Institute of Physics (AIP), and individual publishers, regarding the use and disclosure of AI.
Ultimately, students remain responsible for ensuring that their use of AI complies with academic integrity requirements, course policies, research-group expectations, and applicable professional standards.