Grade Appeal

Students who believe they have been unfairly graded can appeal for course grades. It is essential for students who are appealing a grade to keep in mind that the burden of proof lies with the student. A student's request for a grade adjustment can only be approved if they can demonstrate that their initially assigned grade was unfair or unreasonable.

Students who wish to appeal a grade must do so online within fourteen days after the end of the term. As a result, the Course Instructor can explain the rationale for the grade, and the student can also point out any mistakes or misjudgments in the grading process. Course Instructor and student discussions are often enough to get things back on track.

The Office of Academic Affairs must be notified whenever a course instructor decides to modify a student's grade. To address a Grade Appeal, the Course Instructor can raise, lower, or leave the student's final grade as-is at his or her own discretion. To reflect the new grades, the Office of Student Services will make the necessary adjustments to the student's academic record and overall grade point average.

A Grade Appeal Form can be requested from the student's Academic Advisor if the student and the Course Instructor cannot agree. Within 30 days after the term's end, the completed form must be submitted to the Academic Affairs Office at support@lifesci.education. No appeals will be allowed after the deadline.

The Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Services will review and process any grade appeals that have been submitted. Students are informed in writing of the decision of the Student Affairs Committee by the Office of Student Services. They have the last say, and the Committee's decisions are binding. As a result, the student's official academic record will include a record of the final judgment and any supporting documentation.

Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.

IULS complies with all laws and regulations regarding the access of disabled individuals to education and works to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is denied the benefits of, or is excluded from participation in, any school program or activity.

Nondiscrimination Notice 

IULS will abide by all federal and state laws that forbid discrimination and related retribution on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, age, genetic information, or veteran status both in the classroom and in online courses. Additionally, a climate free from prejudice based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression will be upheld.

Student Conduct 

All students enrolled at the Institute are required to adhere to the concepts of common decency and appropriate behavior, so as to foster a positive learning environment. The Student Guidebook has a thorough explanation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Netiquette

Students should also examine the Rules of Netiquette to learn more about how to engage with other students in an online discussion forum. 

Attendance

IULS is a fully online institution. All programs are delivered asynchronously through the Moodle LMS, with faculty guidance provided through recorded lectures, graded discussion forums, written assignment feedback, and optional live office hours. Because instruction is delivered entirely asynchronously, attendance is measured by academic engagement rather than presence at scheduled class sessions. Academic engagement includes logging in to the LMS, submitting assignments, posting in graded discussion forums, completing quizzes or assessments, and substantive communication with the instructor regarding coursework.

General Expectation

  • All students must log in regularly to IULS's Moodle platform and demonstrate weekly academic engagement by completing coursework, participating in discussion forums, and meeting the assignment deadlines and academic milestones outlined in each course syllabus.
  • All students follow an individualized study plan and are expected to show meaningful weekly progress toward course completion.
  • There are no required synchronous (live) sessions. Faculty hold optional live office hours via BigBlueButton; attendance is voluntary, and all sessions are recorded and posted in the LMS. No instructional hours are based on synchronous activity.

Absence and Engagement Policy

  • A student is considered absent if they record no academic engagement (as defined above) for 7 consecutive calendar days without prior communication with the instructor.
  • Inactivity for more than 14 consecutive calendar days without submission of coursework, communication, or documented progress will result in a written warning and may trigger academic review, which can lead to administrative withdrawal in accordance with the institution's withdrawal and refund policies.
  • A student is considered tardy if they submit an assignment or required coursework after its stated deadline without prior notice to, or approval from, the instructor.

Excused Absences

Excused absences or delays may be granted when justified and documented, including:

  • Illness, injury, or medical emergencies
  • Family emergency or bereavement
  • Required military or civic duty
  • Temporary internet outages or technology access issues (with documentation
  • Any other reason approved by IULS faculty or administration in advance

Students must notify the instructor or IULS Student Services in writing within 48 hours of the incident to request consideration for an excused absence.

Unexcused Absences

  • Failure to submit work, respond to instructor communication, or log in for required activities without prior notice will be marked as an unexcused absence.
  • Multiple unexcused absences (e.g., two or more within a session) may result in an academic warning, probation, or temporary withdrawal from the course or program.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Attendance

IULS monitors student engagement using the following indicators:

  • Log-in frequency and platform activity
  • Submission of assignments and quizzes
  • Completion of modules or course checkpoints
  • Participation in discussion forums (if required)
  • Instructor communication and progress reports

Additional Notes

  • Extension requests must be submitted at least one week before the end of the course for instructor review.
  • Instructors and administrators reserve the right to update course calendars or progress expectations with prior notice.

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

At the International University of Life Sciences (IULS), honesty and integrity are core values that guide and inform both individuals and the larger community. Academic culture necessitates that each student be accountable for his or her own learning and for producing work that reflects their intellectual potential, inquiry, and ability. Students must represent themselves candidly, claim only their own work, acknowledge their use of others' words, research results, and ideas, employing the methods accepted by the relevant academic disciplines, and complete all academic assignments in an honest manner. Both students and faculty are responsible for maintaining the Institute's academic integrity. Academic misconduct will not be excused on the basis of a misunderstanding of appropriate academic behavior. If a student is uncertain about what constitutes appropriate academic conduct in a given situation, he or she should consult with the course instructor to avoid the serious charge of academic misconduct.

Plagiarism Policy:

Students must submit only their original work, without unauthorized collaboration or sharing with others, unless explicitly allowed by the instructor. All materials incorporated into the work that are not the student's own creations must be properly cited and referenced. Proper acknowledgement must be given for any images used. Failure to comply with this policy will result in consequences, such as receiving a zero for the assignment and being reported to the Program Director for the first offense. A second violation of plagiarism or cheating will lead to the student's removal from the course by the instructor and notification to the Registrar.

Academic Integrity Policy:

1.> Definition of Academic Integrity:

IULS embraces academic integrity as a core value, which guides all facets of academic work. It encompasses honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, and respect for intellectual property.

2.> Promoting Awareness:

IULS actively promotes the importance of academic integrity through educational programs, workshops, and seminars.

3.> Guidelines for Academic Conduct:

IULS provides guidance on academic conduct, including citation and referencing standards, plagiarism, data fabrication, and collaboration rules.

Cheating: Cheating encompasses any form of unauthorized assistance on an assignment or exam. Examples include using electronic devices during an exam, copying answers from another student's exam, and acquiring answers before an exam.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when someone presents another person's work or ideas as their own. Instances of plagiarism include copying text from an online source without proper citation, inadequately paraphrasing someone else's work, and submitting work completed by someone else.

Fabrication of Data: Data fabrication involves the falsification or invention of data or results. Examples include creating data for a lab report or study that was never conducted, or manipulating data to achieve desired outcomes.

Unauthorized Collaboration: Unauthorized collaboration entails working with others on an assignment or exam without permission. Examples include sharing answers during an exam, contributing minimally to a group project, or collaborating with someone outside of the course or program.

4.> Reporting and Investigation Process:

Any individual who witnesses or suspects an academic integrity violation should report it to the appropriate authority, such as the instructor, program director, or academic affairs office.

The report should detail the violation, provide supporting evidence, and identify the student(s) involved.

The appropriate authority will launch a confidential investigation into the alleged violation, which may involve interviews and evidence review.

The privacy of all parties involved will be respected throughout the investigation.

5.> Sanctions and Penalties:

Depending on the violation's nature and severity, the appropriate authority may impose various sanctions and penalties, including but not limited to:

  • A warning or reprimand
  • Loss of credit or grade reduction for a specific assignment, exam, or paper
  • Failure of the course
  • Suspension or expulsion from IULS

The authority will consider any mitigating or aggravating circumstances, such as prior academic misconduct or the level of intent or premeditation.

6.> Regular Review and Revision:

IULS will consistently review and update this policy to ensure its ongoing effectiveness in fostering academic integrity throughout the institution.

To support students in understanding and upholding the principles of academic integrity:

Resources for students, faculty, and staff:

  • Educational programs, workshops, and seminars on academic integrity
  • Access to plagiarism detection software or other tools to ensure proper citation and referencing in academic work
  • Access to citation and referencing resources, such as style guides or manuals
  • Guidance on appropriate source use, including when and how to cite and reference them
  • Support for students who may need assistance in developing effective study or writing skills to avoid academic misconduct.

Guidelines for academic conduct:

  • Proper citation and referencing standards, including information on citation styles and their application
  • Policies on collaboration, outlining what is and is not allowed in terms of group work, and how to acknowledge the contributions of group members
  • Guidance on avoiding plagiarism, including definitions, and examples of proper paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting sources
  • Policies on the use of electronic devices during exams and assessments, and guidelines for using online resources in academic work.

Consequences for violations:

  • Warnings or reprimands for minor violations of academic integrity, such as improper citation or collaboration
  • Loss of credit or grade reduction for a specific assignment, exam, or paper
  • Failure of the course
  • Suspension or expulsion from IULS, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

To summarize, IULS provides resources, guidelines, and consequences to guarantee academic integrity. These policies will be reviewed and revised on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to be effective in promoting academic integrity throughout the institution.

** The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course calendar with prior notice given to the student

Communication Policy
To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, "any pace" still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their course instructors or Adademic Advisor. 

Privacy Policy

International University of Life Sciences is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with this privacy statement, which governs the collection of personally identifiable information through the International University of Life Sciences website, its related websites, and their content ("Website"), as well as the services available through this Website ("Services"). Read more

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

The International University of Life Sciences (IULS) recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as large language model chatbots, are increasingly available and can support learning when used responsibly. IULS permits the limited, transparent, and ethical use of AI tools in coursework, subject to this policy and to any specific instructions provided by the course instructor. This policy extends, and does not replace, the institution's Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Policy.

1.> Instructor Authority

The permitted use of AI varies by course and assignment. Each instructor will state, in the syllabus or assignment instructions, whether and how AI tools may be used, using the AI Use Levels described below. When an instructor's instructions are more restrictive than this general policy, the instructor's instructions govern. If no guidance is given for a particular assignment, students must obtain the instructor's permission before using AI tools to produce submitted work.

2.> AI Use Levels

Instructors label each assignment with one of the following levels:

  • Level A — AI Permitted (Practice/Support): AI may be used for supportive purposes such as brainstorming, clarifying concepts, generating practice questions, improving grammar, and study planning.
  • Level B — AI Limited (With Disclosure): AI may assist with limited tasks such as outlining or editing, but the substantive analysis, research, and writing must be the student's own. An AI Use Note (see Section 4) is required.
  • Level C — AI Not Permitted (Independent Work): No AI tools may be used. The work must demonstrate the student's own independent competence. This level applies to examinations, mastery checks, and assignments intended to verify independent learning.

3.> Academic Integrity and Original Work

Students remain fully responsible for the work they submit. Submitting AI-generated content as one's own original work, without authorization and proper disclosure, constitutes a violation of the institution's Academic Integrity Policy. Students may not represent AI-generated text, analysis, or ideas as their own.

4.> Disclosure and Citation

When AI use is permitted and substantial, students must disclose that use by including an AI Use Note and by citing the tool in accordance with the citation standards required by the instructor (for example, APA guidance for citing generative AI). Students should retain records of their AI use, such as prompts and outputs, if requested by the instructor.

AI Use Note template:

  • Tool used:
  • What I used it for:
  • What I wrote or analyzed myself:
  • How I verified accuracy (sources, steps, checking work):

5.> Accuracy and Accountability

AI tools can produce information that is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, fabricated, or biased, including invented citations, quotations, and references. Students are solely responsible for verifying the accuracy of any AI-assisted content against credible, authoritative sources before relying on or submitting it. The institution does not accept AI output as a substitute for evidence-based academic work.

6.> Health-Related Content — Special Caution

Because IULS programs address complementary and integrative health, students are reminded that AI tools must never be used to generate, or be relied upon for, medical, diagnostic, or treatment advice for any person. AI output regarding health topics is, at most, general educational information that must be critically evaluated against the scientific literature. Nothing produced with AI tools may be used to diagnose, treat, or advise any individual, consistent with the institution's academic, non-clinical scope and with California Business and Professions Code sections 2053.5 and 2053.6.

7.> Privacy and Data

Students should not enter confidential, personal, or identifying information about themselves or others into AI tools, including login credentials, grades, or another person's private information. Students are responsible for protecting the privacy of any third party.

8.> Verifying Authentic, Independent Work

Because IULS courses are delivered asynchronously and completed independently, the institution verifies authorship through multiple, layered sources of evidence rather than relying solely on AI-detection software. These may include the progressive submission of drafts, version history in the learning management system, brief written reflections explaining the student's approach, and, where appropriate, short oral check-ins. Students are expected to be able to explain and defend their own submitted work.

9.> Institutional AI Support Tool (TutorBot)

IULS provides an AI-based student support assistant (the "TutorBot") within its learning management system to help students navigate courses and locate materials. The TutorBot does not provide instruction, grade work, or give medical, diagnostic, or treatment advice; it does not claim to be a human, an instructor, or an advisor; and all academic questions are answered by faculty.

10.> Violations

Unauthorized or undisclosed use of AI tools is treated as a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy and is subject to the sanctions described therein, which range from a warning or grade reduction to failure of the course or dismissal, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Decisions are based on human review, with an opportunity for the student to respond.

This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically as AI tools and best practices evolve.


Title IX Statement 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as modified, prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in any educational program or activity run by beneficiaries of federal financial aid. As stipulated by Title IX, IULS does not discriminate on the basis of gender in any of its educational programs or activities, including admission and employment.

IULS is committed to establishing a sex-discrimination-free environment and provides a variety of supportive measures, such as resources and services, to aid students, professors, and staff. Sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and relationship violence have a significant influence on academic, social, professional, and personal life, and severely impact friends and family, fellow students, and members of the institution community.

To combat this complex social problem, IULS provides a variety of resources designed to prevent sexual violence and other forms of sexual misconduct, such as sexual harassment, provide information on what to do in the event of an incident, and raise awareness of campus and community resources for support and response.

Students, students, and staff who are victims of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, or interpersonal violence are encouraged to seek assistance and report the occurrence. IULS has hired a Title IX Coordinator to oversee the institution's reaction to Title IX reports and formal complaints, develop training and education programs/materials for faculty, staff, and students, and assess the efficacy of Title IX education activities.

Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator (TitleIXCoordinator@lifesci.education) or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, or both.

We reserve the right to update or change any of these policies at any time, without notice. 

For other policies, please refer to Institute's Catalog.