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Relevance & Adoption: Faculty establish classroom norms and course policies in response to emerging challenges. During the transition to online instruction, developed guidelines for camera use (Castelli & Sarvary, 2021)., as assignment extensions increased, adopted more inclusive policies (Ruesch & Sarvary, 2024). Today, generative artificial intelligence (GAI) represents a new challenge requiring updated norms and policies. Innovation & Originality: Instructors must address Gen AI tools in course syllabi. These technologies can generate ideas, improve writing, and create content, raising questions about how AI can be used without undermining critical thinking or creativity. Despite the rapid adoption of AI, classroom norms and expectations remain unclear and part of the hidden curriculum (Wilbur, 2021; Startz, 2022). This study addresses a gap in the literature by examining both instructor AI policies and student perceptions of appropriate AI use through a constructivist learning framework. Study Design: We surveyed 706 biology students regarding their AI use across fourteen assignment-related tasks, from idea generation to writing complete assignments. Quantitative analyses included general linear mixed models and pairwise comparisons, while qualitative analysis examined AI policies in 256 course syllabi using the same coding framework applied to student responses. Results: Only 30% of syllabi contained AI policies, about half explicitly allowed AI use. Students reported using AI most frequently for idea generation (63%), information gathering (55%), grammar correction (62%), and proofreading (56%), fewer used it to write part (30%) or all (4%) of an assignment. Students consistently believed AI should be allowed more often than they perceived instructors permitted. Conclusion: Current course policies do not reflect the widespread and nuanced ways students use AI. Students distinguish between using AI to support learning and substituting AI for their own work. Clearer, stage-specific AI guidelines could better align instructor expectations with student practices and promote responsible AI use in biology education.
