Grades and Grading Policies
Grades and Grade Points
The Office of the University Registrar records student grades.
The word credit refers to one semester hour, generally representing one hour per week of lecture or two or more hours per week of laboratory work.
Passing Grades and Grade Points:
Credit Earned Prior to May 11, 2009 - Summer A
| Passing Grade |
A |
B+ |
B |
C+ |
C |
D+ |
D |
S |
|---|
| Grade Points |
4.0 |
3.5 |
3.0 |
2.5 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
1 |
0 |
|---|
Passing Grades and Grade Points:
Credit Earned Effective May 11, 2009 - Summer A
| Passing Grade |
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
D- |
S |
|---|
| Grade Points |
4.0 |
3.67 |
3.33 |
3.0 |
2.67 |
2.33 |
2.0 |
1.67 |
1.33 |
1.0 |
.67 |
0 |
|---|
The degree-granting college may require a specific minimum grade in particular courses.
Failing Grades and Grade Points
| Failing Grade, Zero Grade Points, Counted in GPA |
E |
WF |
I |
NG |
|---|
| Grade Points |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
Non-Punitive Grades and Grade Points
| Non-Punitive Grade, Zero Grade Points, Not Counted in GPA |
W |
H |
I* |
N* |
U |
|---|
| Grade Points |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
Definitions
E = Failure
H = Deferred grade assigned only in approved sequential courses or flexible learning
I* / I = Incomplete
N* / NG = No grade reported
S = Satisfactory
U = Unsatisfactory
W = Withdrew
WF = Withdrew failing
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I*, N* and I, NG Grades
I* or N* grades recorded on the student record indicate the non-punitive initial-term receipt of an I or NG. A grade of I* or N* is not considered a failing grade for the term in which it is received, and it is not computed in the grade point average. However, if the I* or N* has not been changed by the end of the next term for which you are enrolled and receive grades, it will be counted as a failing grade and used in computation of your grade point average.
For purposes of determining grade point average after the initial receipt of an I* or N* grade, the three summer terms are considered collectively as a single term. I* and N* grades are not assigned to graduating students; they receive failing grades of I or NG.
An incomplete grade may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor as an interim grade for a course in which you have completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade, been unable to complete course requirements before the end of the term because of extenuating circumstances, and obtained agreement from the instructor and arranged for resolution of the incomplete grade. Instructors are not required to assign incomplete grades.
If make-up work requires classroom or laboratory attendance in a subsequent term, you must not register for the course again. Instead, you should audit the course and pay course fees.
If the make-up work does not require classroom or laboratory attendance, you and your instructor should decide on an appropriate plan and deadline for completing the course.
When the course is completed, the instructor will initiate the change of grade. These procedures cannot be used to repeat a course for a different grade. An I grade should not be assigned to a student who never attended class; instead, instructors should assign a failing grade.
W and WF Grades
Courses dropped after drop/add and before the withdrawal deadline will be graded W. WF grades are no longer issued by the university, but in previous years they reflect courses dropped after the withdrawal deadline.
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Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory (S-U) Grade Option
Subject to college degree program and department guidelines, you can take elective coursework and earn grades of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). A grade of S is equal to a C (2.0) or better. Grades earned under the S-U option do not carry grade point values and are not computed in the University of Florida grade point average. Courses with a grade of S will count as credits earned in a degree program. Such grades are included in your permanent academic record and are reflected on the transcript. After the S-U option is approved, you cannot revert to a letter grade.
Other academic institutions and agencies may interpret a grade of U as a failing grade.
If you choose the S-U option you must be in good standing and not on university academic probation. To elect the S-U option, you must obtain the approvals indicated on the form. You can elect the S-U option for one course only each term; this option is in addition to courses that are taught only on an S-U basis. Courses taken to fulfill the general education and the writing requirement cannot be taken S-U.
For fall, spring and summer C terms, the S-U option deadline is Friday of the third week of classes. For summer A and summer B terms, the deadline is Wednesday of the second week of classes.
H Grades
An H grade, which signifies a deferred grade assignment, is normally assigned at the end of a term when a specific course's class calendar differs from the traditional course calendar. Now that UF flexible learning courses have been incorporated into the student records system, H grades will also be assigned to students who cannot complete their flexible learning course requirements before the end of the traditional grade cycle.
While H grades for traditional courses become punitive at a date determined by the college, H grades for flexible learning coursework generally become punitive 32 weeks after course enrollment. However, any grade of H received by a degree candidate will become punitive (and calculated as a failing grade) at degree certification.
Grade Point Averaging and Deficits
The term average refers to the grade point average (GPA) for work completed in the current or most recent academic program attended at the University of Florida. Grades received at other institutions are NOT averaged with grades received at the University of Florida for the purpose of meeting university GPA requirements. Other agencies and honorary societies will compute averages in accordance with their own standards and policies.
Averages are determined by computing the ratio of grade points to semester credits attempted. For the grade point average computation formula, please refer to the example below.
A grade point deficit is defined as the number of grade points below a C average on credits attempted at UF. If the grade point average is less than 2.0, there is a grade point deficit.
Only grades higher than C (2.0) will lower a deficit. Beginning Summer A 2009, every credit of C+ earned removes .33 (one-third point) from a deficit (a grade of C+ in a three-credit course removes .99 deficit points, .33 X 3); every credit of B removes 1 deficit point; and every credit of A removes 2 deficit points. A C- (1.67) will increase your grade point deficit.
Calculating the Grade Point Average
- Multiply grade value times the number of credits for total grade points.
- Divide the total number of grade points by the number of credits carried. (S-U Option grades are not calculated in the GPA.)
- The GPA value is displayed to the hundredths place and not rounded up (i.e., 3.248 = 3.24)
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Calculating the Grade Point Deficit
To determine grade point deficit you must first calculate the grade point average:
- Multiply the total UF credits carried for a grade by 2 (for 2.0 GPA) and
- Subtract the total grade points earned to determine the deficit.
- For instance, if you have taken 100 credits for a grade, then 200 grade points are needed for a 2.0 GPA. If there are 196 grade points, there is a 4-point deficit.
How to Calculate GPA and Deficit Points
Follow the example below.
Grade value times number of credits = grade points
| Course |
Grade |
Grade Value |
X Credits |
= Grade Points |
|---|
| AML 2020 |
D+ |
1.33 |
3 |
3.99 |
| PSY 2013 |
S |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| SPN 1110 |
C+ |
2.33 |
5 |
11.65 |
| PSC 1420 |
D- |
.67 |
3 |
2.01 |
|
11 |
17.65 |
| 17.65 divided by 11 = 1.60 GPA |
Because the GPA is below 2.0, you need to figure the grade point deficit, as follows:
- 11 total credits X 2.0 = 22 (the number of grade points necessary for 2.0 GPA)
- 22 minus 17.65 (total grade points earned) = 4.35 deficit points
| Grade Values for Conversion |
|---|
| Grades |
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
D- |
E |
WF |
I |
NG |
S-U |
|---|
| Grade Points |
4.0 |
3.67 |
3.33 |
3.0 |
2.67 |
2.33 |
2.0 |
1.67 |
1.33 |
1.0 |
.67 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
To see calculations based upon former grade values, please refer to the 2009-10 undergraduate catalog.
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Repeat Coursework
University of Florida coursework that is repeated is counted in the computation of your UF grade point average as many times as grades for that course are recorded, although credits will be awarded only once.
However, when you earn a C (2.0) or higher in a course and you repeat that course and earn a C (2.0) or higher on the subsequent enrollment, the new grade will not be computed into the UF grade point average or awarded additional credits.
If you entered UF with credit for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and you then repeat and pass the equivalent course at UF, you will receive a grade for the UF course and no credit for the prior work.
Outcomes when repeated coursework involves UF coursework only:
| Grades Earned |
GPA/Credit Computation |
|---|
First grade lower than a C;
Second grade of C or higher |
Each grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once. |
First grade lower than a C;
Second grade lower than a C |
Each grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once. |
First grade C or higher;
Second grade lower than a C |
Each grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once. |
First grade C or higher;
Second grade C or higher |
Only first grade computed in GPA; credit earned only for first attempt. |
Grades received at other institutions will not be averaged with grades received at the University of Florida. Repeat coursework taken at the University of Florida will result in calculation of the UF grade in the UF grade point average only, with credit earned only once.
Outcomes when repeated coursework involves transfer coursework and UF coursework:
- Grades earned: Any grade combination for first and second courses, as illustrated in the table.
- Coursework taken at another institution, then repeated at UF: Only UF grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once.
- Coursework taken at UF, then repeated at another institution: Only UF grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once.
In the case where all repeated coursework was taken at other institutions, no grades will be calculated into the UF GPA and credit is awarded only once.
Repeat course equivalencies are identified based on the state’s common course taxonomy. Refer to the statewide course numbering system for the definition of course equivalencies.
Colleges may not accept grade points and credits earned from lower level courses if they are taken after the student has received credit/grades for advanced courses or exam credit in the same field.
Grade Changes
Grade changes will be accepted and processed by the Office of the University Registrar for one calendar year after the term in which the course was attempted.
Any grade changes submitted after the deadline must be accompanied by additional supporting information or documentation justifying the extension and submitted to the appropriate college dean. If the dean approves the exception, he or she will forward an authorized grade change form to the Office of the University Registrar.
One calendar year is specified as the published grades due date of the same semester in the following year.
This policy does not apply to grades of I or I*, which designate a grade of incomplete.
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