GRADING SYSTEM

Definition of Grades

The system of grading, indicating the relative proficiency a student attains in various courses, is as follows:

A—distinctive
B—very good
C—satisfactory
D—lowest passing grade
F—failure
S—satisfactory (“C” or above)
U—unsatisfactory (“C ” or below)

A student who receives a grade of “F” or a “U” in any course will receive no credit for that course and is not eligible for re examination in it.

The following additional notations may be made on a student’s grade report or transcript:

N—no grade reported
O—credit omitted until completion of course extending beyond one term
W—withdrawal without grade
WP—withdrawal with a grade of “D” or above
WF—withdrawal with a grade of “F”
X—incomplete laboratory or other assignments postponed with permission of the instructor
Y—absent from final examination
Z—audit

Quality Points

For a full unit course carried throughout a term, the following quality points are awarded for grades:

A = 4.00
A- = 3.67
B+ = 3.33
B = 3.00
B- = 2.67
C = 2.00
C+ = 2.33
C- = 1.67
D+ = 1.33
D = 1.00
F = 0.00

Satisfactory (“S”) and unsatisfactory (“U”) evaluations are disregarded in any computation of quality points.

Quality points earned in fractional unit courses are that fraction of those awarded for a corresponding grade in a full unit course. Equivalent credit in semester hours and the corresponding quality points on a semester hour system may be obtained by multiplying the course unit of credit by four and also by multiplying the quality points earned by four. Equivalent credit in quarter hours may be obtained by multiplying the course unit of credit and also the number of quality points earned by six.

Incomplete Grades

If because of illness, emergency, military service, or reasonable cause a student cannot complete work for a course, the student may request in writing that the instructor assign an incomplete grade for the course. If the instructor approves the request, the student must complete the coursework prior to the last day of classes of the subsequent regular term, or a grade of “F” will be recorded for the course. An incomplete grade cannot be continued after the subsequent regular term unless special arrangements have been made with the instructor and the appropriate division chair. Even with the approval of the instructor, the incomplete grade may not continue for more than three regular terms (excluding interim and summer), after which time a permanent grade of “F” will be recorded for the course. A student cannot graduate with an incomplete grade on his or her transcript.

Waiver of Grades

Students who have been absent from college for a period of five or more years may, upon admission or readmission, choose to have all prior grades and credits removed from computation of their total credits and their grade point average. This grade waiver option must be requested upon admission or readmission, and it may not be repeated.

All requests for waiver of grades exercised under the option described above are supervised by the College Admissions Committee. This committee reserves the right to request appropriate academic information and to interview candidates for admission or readmission to help ascertain their ability and determination to succeed in their academic work.

Students who have been absent from college for a period of three or more years may, upon admission or readmission, choose to have certain grades and credits removed from computation of their total credits and their grade point average. For each sequential set of three units that have a grade point average of 2.50 or better earned at the College, up to two units of grades and credits in which grades of “D” or “F” were earned may be removed. A maximum of four units or credits may be removed under this grade waiver option. All requests for waiver of grades under the option described in this paragraph are supervised by the Provost.

Courses Repeated and Redeemed

Any course repeated is done with the understanding that the last grade earned will take precedence over all previous grades earned. All work attempted and all grades earned will be shown on the student’s transcript. A student who has passed a course with a grade of “C” or higher may repeat the course only on an audit basis. A student who has earned a grade of “C- ” or below in a course may redeem the course under the following conditions:

(1) A course may be redeemed only by repeating the same course at Birmingham Southern College.

(2) Before a course taken elsewhere may be redeemed, the Dean of Research and Records and the chair of the appropriate division must approve the choice of the course to be taken.

(3) No credit will be granted for the first time the course was taken, and the first course will be listed on the student’s transcript as “redeemed.” The grade from the first course will appear on the transcript but will not be used to compute the student’s grade point average.

(4) A student may redeem a course a second time, but in such a case both the second and third grade will be used to compute the student’s grade point average.

(5) A student receiving a grade of “C-” or below on a 1Y course may redeem the unit from the regular curriculum. The course chosen to redeem the unit must be approved by the faculty member whose 1Y course is being redeemed, the student’s advisor, and the Division Chair of the faculty member whose course is being redeemed. In the case of redemption, no credit will be granted for the original course. It will remain listed on the transcript as “redeemed.” If redeemed, the grade for the original course will appear on the transcript but will not be used to compute the student’s grade point average. The 1Y requirement will be satisfied by virtue of enrollment regardless of the grade earned.