1996-1997 catalog
Graduate
Academic Regulations, Page 2
Grading System and Grade Point Average (GPA) Computation
All course grades are letter grades unless otherwise specified in the class schedule. The method of grading (letter or pass/fail) is an integral part of the course structure and is included in the course description. It is the same for all students taking the course. Instructors are expected to state their grading policies in writing at the beginning of each course.
Grades appearing on academic records are as follows:
| A | An honor grade, indicates originality and independent work, a thorough mastery of the subject, and the satisfactory completion of more work than is regularly required. |
| B | Indicates outstanding ability above the average level of performance. This is the lowest acceptable grade in an undergraduate course used in a graduate program. |
| C | Indicates outstanding ability above the average level of performance. This is the lowest acceptable grade in an undergraduate course used in a graduate program. |
| D | Indicates work of below average quality and performance (not acceptable in graduate programs). |
| F | Indicates failure. All 'F' grades, including those earned in pass/fail courses, are included in the GPA calculations. |
| P | Pass - The grade 'pass' indicates satisfactory completion of course requirements at either the undergraduate or graduate level. A 'pass' grade does not affect your grade point average but credits earned with 'pass' grades may meet degree requirements and may be used as a measure of satisfactory progress. Satisfactory performance is the equivalent of a grade of 'C' or better in undergraduate course work and 'B' or better in graduate courses. The entire class must be graded pass/fail and the grading system is noted in the class schedule. |
| DF | Deferred - Indicates that the course requirements cannot be completed by the end of the semester, that credit may be withheld without penalty until the course requirements are met within an approved time. This designation will be used for courses such as theses, special projects, etc., that require more than one semester to complete. |
| AU | Audit - A registration status indicating that you've enrolled for informational instruction only. No academic credit is granted. You may be given a 'W' if you don't attend a course you are auditing. See 'Auditing.' |
| W | Withdrawn - Indicates withdrawal from a course after the first two weeks of a semester. |
| I | Incomplete - A temporary grade used to indicate that you've satisfactorily completed (C or
better) the majority of the work in a course, but for personal reasons beyond
your control, haven't been able to complete the course during the regular
semester. Normally, an incomplete is assigned when you've been in class until at
least the last three weeks of the semester or session. Negligence or
indifference aren't acceptable reasons for an 'I' grade. (The deferred grade
(DF) may be used for those cases when you're unable to complete a course due to
institutional reasons, such as a breakdown of laboratory equipment.)
When the 'I' grade is given, the instructor includes a statement of the work required of you to complete the course. You must make up an incomplete within one year or it will automatically be changed to an 'F' grade. The 'I' grade is not computed in your GPA until it has been changed to a regular letter grade by the instructor or until one year has elapsed, at which time it will be computed as an 'F.' Seniors cannot graduate with an 'I' grade in either a UAF or major course requirement. To determine a senior's GPA at graduation, an 'I' grade will be computed as a failing grade. |
| NB | No Basis - Instructors may award a No Basis (NB) grade if there is insufficient student progress and/or attendance for evaluation to occur. No credit is given, nor is 'NB' calculated in the GPA. This is a permanent grade and may not be used to substitute for the Incomplete (I). It can't be removed by later completing outstanding work. |
Computing Your GPA
Your grade point average (GPA) is a weighted numerical average of the grades you earn in your courses at UAF. To compute your GPA, the total number of credits you have attempted is divided into the total number of grade points you have earned. Grade points are calculated by multiplying the number of grade points awarded, according to the chart below, by the number of credits attempted for the course. The following grades are figured in your GPA: A, B, C, D and F. Grades of I, DF, NB, W, P, AU and CR don't carry grade points and don't affect your GPA.
| Grade | Grade Points per Credit |
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Non-credit courses, transfer credits and credit by examination do not affect the GPA calculations.
Repeating Courses
All grades (original and retakes) for a course completed at UAF will be shown on the permanent record. For scholastic standing calculations, the GPA calculation for graduate students includes all courses listed on your advancement to candidacy (including repeats). If you haven't been advanced to candidacy yet, your GPA will include all courses (including repeats) you have taken since your admission to graduate study.