Grading System
Pages 18-19
The University uses two types of grading: traditional letter
grades and pass/not pass grades. At the option of the instructors
some courses are offered only on the traditional letter grade
basis or only on the pass/not pass basis. Other courses are open
to either type of grading, at the option of the student. Courses
offered on the A-F basis only or P/NP only will be indicated in
the Class Schedule. In the event a change in the published
grading option for a course becomes necessary, the faculty member
may make the change during the first ten class days of the
semester. The students in the class and the Registrar's office
must be notified of the change no later than the tenth class day.
Grades followed by an R indicate remedial courses.
Traditional Letter Grading
A-work of superior quality; B-work better than average; C-average
work; D-work below average, but barely passing; F-failure. Other
symbols used are: I-incomplete; N-work on the course may be
continued in later semesters (when work is completed, the final
grade assigned applies to all semesters of the course);
W-withdrawal from a course; AUD-auditor registration. (AUD is
recorded for all students who register in courses as auditors,
intending to listen to the courses without earning credit or
being graded. The same fees are assessed as when registering for
credit. Any attendance or participation expectations are
established by the instructor of the course. If attendance
expectations are not met, the instructor may request a notation
be placed on the student's academic record indicating attendance
was not satisfactory.)
Pass/Not Pass Grading
Student Option: To encourage students to venture into courses
where they might otherwise hesitate because of uncertainty
regarding their aptitude or preparation, they may enroll in
certain courses on a pass/not pass basis. A freshman or sophomore
with a grade-point average of 2.00 or better may elect one
undergraduate course a semester on a pass/not pass basis. Juniors
and seniors may elect more than one pass/not pass course a
semester. An instructor may indicate that a particular course is
not available under the pass/not pass option. Courses graded A-F
only will be identified in the Class Schedule.
No more than 40 pass/not pass credits may be counted toward
graduation. The pass/not pass option does not extend to courses
required for the student's major or minor, except at the
discretion of the department concerned.
The grades of pass or not pass are not formally defined in terms
of their relationship to the traditional grades of A, B, C, D, or
F; a P is given for work considered to be passing and therefore
deserving credit, and an NP for work not passed. P and NP grades
do not affect grade point average.
Election of the pass/not pass option must be indicated at
registration time on the registration form. After registration,
but prior to the end of the 25th day of instruction, an
undergraduate student may change a pass/not pass enrollment to an
enrollment under the A-F grade system, or the reverse by means of
a drop/add form.
The University cautions students that many graduate and
professional schools and some employers do not recognize
non-traditional grades (i.e., those other than A, B, C, D, F) or
may discriminate against students who use the pass/not pass
option for many courses.
Faculty Option: A faculty member may elect to grade an entire
class on the pass/not pass basis. This method of grading is used
in courses where more precise grading is inappropriate. Courses
graded P/NP only will be identified in the Class Schedule.
No Credit Grading
Students enrolled in English 100 and 101 are graded by the
traditional letter grades of A, B, C, D, F or are given NCR for
no credit. The NCR grade does not affect grade point average.
Policy on Incompletes
It is assumed that students have the responsibility for
completing the requirements of the courses in which they are
enrolled within the time framework of the semester.
Incompletes may be given when, in the opinion of the instructor,
there is a reasonable probability that students can complete the
course without retaking it.
The incomplete is not an option to be exercised at the discretion
of students. In all cases it is given at the discretion of the
instructor within the following guidelines:
1. A mark of incomplete may be assigned students when:
- A. They have been in attendance and doing passing work up to
three weeks before the end of the semester, and
- B. For reasons beyond their control and which are acceptable
to the instructor, they have been unable to complete the
requirements of the course on time. Negligence and indifference
are not acceptable reasons.
2. The instructor sets the conditions for the completion of the
coursework and notes these conditions on the final grade report.
3. When a student has met the conditions for making up the
incomplete, the instructor will assign a grade based upon an
evaluation of the total work done by the student in the course.
4. An incomplete which is not made up within one calendar year
automatically will revert to the alternate grade which was
assigned by the instructor at the time the incomplete was
submitted.
5. An incomplete remains on the permanent record and is
accompanied by the final grade, for example, IA, IB, IC, etc.
Computation of Cumulative Grade Average
Quality points are assigned as follows: 4 quality points for each
credit of A; 3 quality points for each credit of B; 2 quality
points for each credit of C; and 1 quality point for each credit
of D.
The cumulative grade average is computed by dividing the total
quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted,
excluding courses assigned W, NCR, P, NP, I, AUD, or N grades and
courses numbered under 100. Grades for courses transferred from
other colleges and universities are not included in the
calculation of the grade average for graduation.
Academic Policies and Procedures | 95-96 UM Undergraduate Catalog