At the heart of Caltech is its Honor Code, the principle that has guided and defined campus life since Caltech's earliest days. It states, "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community." This code of ethics guides the entire campus community of students, staff, and faculty.
It's a simple idea with far-reaching implications. It means, for instance, that Caltech students are routinely given 24-hour access to labs, workshops, and other facilities on campus.
Collaboration
The Honor Code establishes a community of trust. Another important elemental principle is collaboration. The life of a Techer relies heavily on teamwork, mirroring the scientific world. When you do academic work at Caltech, it is assumed that you'll have not only the guidance of a faculty team that is second to none but also the support of your classmates as you tackle your assignments.
Collaboration is a way of life at Caltech. In fact, most problem sets are assigned with the understanding that students will work together to solve the problems—sometimes including ones that no one is even sure are solvable. At Caltech, students find themselves among their intellectual equals, and hours of discussion, argument, and perhaps even late-night pizza can lead to an understanding of concepts fundamental to the advancement of science and friendships that will last a lifetime.
