Use of Generative AI in Theses, Projects, and Other Written Assignments By Biotechnology MS Students

Master’s theses, projects, and other written assignments must reflect the student’s original intellectual work, including the development of ideas (along with the student’s PI), analysis, interpretation, and written expression. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools may be used in a limited and controlled manner as described below; however, such tools must not replace the student’s independent thinking, scholarly judgment, or authorship.

Use of GenAI that does not alter meaning, reasoning, or intellectual contribution. These include grammar correction, minor stylistic edits, formatting, and transcription. Use of AI-based literature curation tools is permitted provided students perform synthesis and written literature reviews without GenAI assistance. Only clearly non-substantive functions are allowed. When in doubt, treat use as substantive.

Any use of GenAI that influences or contributes to intellectual content, including generating arguments, literature synthesis, writing sections (including for AI rewriting for clarity), or data interpretation.  Also included are calculations, coding, and/or data mining.

Any use of GenAI that influences or contributes to intellectual content, including generating arguments, literature synthesis, writing sections (including for AI rewriting for clarity), or data interpretation.  Also included are calculations, coding, and/or data mining.

The following are prohibited uses of GenAI:

• Submitting GenAI-generated text, figures, tables, code, or other materials as original work without proper authorization and disclosure;
• Using GenAI to generate or substantially contribute to core scholarly components, including research questions, hypotheses, literature reviews, analytical arguments, or interpretations of data, without prior approval;
• Fabricating, manipulating, or altering research data or results using GenAI tools;
• Using GenAI systems to generate citations or references without verification of their accuracy and existence in the scholarly record;
• Uploading or entering confidential, proprietary, unpublished, or sensitive research data—including human subjects data—into publicly accessible GenAI systems or tools that do not meet institutional data security requirements.

Violations of these prohibitions will be treated as academic misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including degree revocation. Students should review the UB Academic Integrity Policy.

The thesis or project advisor is responsible for establishing expectations regarding the permissible use of GenAI for each student’s project, consistent with this policy and applicable program standards. Students must consult with their advisor prior to using GenAI tools for any purpose beyond basic editorial support.

Advisors may:

• Prohibit the use of GenAI entirely for a given project;
• Permit limited uses of GenAI aligned with this policy; or
• Approve specific, clearly defined uses of GenAI, provided such uses are documented and disclosed.

All approvals must be communicated clearly to the student and documented in writing. In cases of ambiguity, the default expectation is that GenAI-generated substantive content is not permitted.

The use of GenAI does not diminish the student’s responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of their scholarly work. Students remain fully accountable for all content submitted, including any material developed with the assistance of GenAI tools.  Students are responsible for complying with both program-level requirements and advisor-specific guidance. In the event of conflicting guidance, the more restrictive standard will apply.

Students are required to obtain approval for any substantive GenAI use related to the generation of their thesis, project, or other written assignments. Permission should be obtained in writing prior to use of the tool. Students should maintain a written record of tool use, including identification of the tool, as well as prompts and outputs. When the student submits their thesis or project report to their advisory committee, it must be accompanied by a one-page attestation documenting GenAI use and should be signed by both the student and the major advisor/mentor.

The attestation should include a clear and accurate disclosure of any use of generative GenAI tools in the preparation of the dissertation, thesis, or scholarly project.

The disclosure must:

• Identify the GenAI tool(s) used;
• Describe the specific purpose(s) for which the tool was used;
• Clarify the extent of use, including whether the tool contributed to editing, organization, coding, or other functions; and
• Affirm that all intellectual content, analysis, and conclusions are the student’s own.

In cases where GenAI use extends beyond basic editorial assistance and has been approved by the advisor or committee, students may be required to provide additional documentation beyond the attestation, such as summaries of interactions, prompts, or draft outputs, upon request.

This policy establishes baseline standards governing the acceptable use of generative GenAI in dissertations, theses, and scholarly projects. These standards define the minimum expectations for permissible use, prohibited activities, and disclosure requirements. The Program Director will include this policy in the BCLS MS Student Handbook and will formally review it during the first orientation session of each semester.