Policies Governing Grades
Policies & Procedures|Courses, Grades & Credit
The policies below apply only to College students. Students taking courses in other schools within the University will be graded according to the policy of those schools.
Letter grades ranging from A+ to F (with no D-) are used to report the standing of a student upon the completion of each course. Read more >>
Additional Grade Types
P (Pass) | The pass awarded in a pass/fail course is not used in the computation of the grade point average, but does confer credit. Read more >> |
W | W indicates an approved withdrawal from a course. The following grade designations are not permanent, i.e., students will not be graduated until these grades have been resolved: |
S and U | (Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Performance): S and U are used to indicate the level of performance after the first semester in a two-semester course for which the grade is given after the second semester. They are replaced by a final course grade after the second semester is completed. |
GR | This notation often indicates that a student never attended class or never formally dropped the class, but his or her name still appears on a grade sheet. Students with a GR must clarify their status with the professor and the College Office. A student may not graduate with a GR on the transcript. |
NR | This notation indicates that no grades have been submitted for a particular course. |
I | (Incomplete): A report of "I" or "II" indicates that a student's work in a course is incomplete with the instructor's permission. Read more >> |
Grade point averages (g.p.a.'s) are computed at the end of each semester and on a cumulative basis. The numerical values of letter grades are:
|
A+ = 4.0 |
A = 4.0 |
A- = 3.7 |
|
B+ = 3.3 |
B = 3.0 |
B- = 2.7 |
|
C+ = 2.3 |
C = 2.0 |
C- = 1.7 |
|
D+ = 1.3 |
D = 1.0 |
(There is no D-) |
|
F = 0.0 |
The g.p.a. is calculated by multiplying the credit units for each course (usually 1 c.u.) by the numerical equivalent of the grade received. The total for all courses is then divided by the total number of credit units taken.
Students may calculate the g.p.a. for a selected group of courses (major or minor courses, for example), by using the “g.p.a. calculator” function of the Academic Planning worksheet on Penn InTouch.
Students must maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average, and a 2.0 (or better, depending on the department) in major courses.
Students should be aware that receiving Incompletes can be problematic for a variety of reasons. In general, it is a far better idea to plan ahead, use advising and academic support resources, and take other steps to ensure finishing on time. Incompletes should be requested sparingly if at all. Read more >>
In registering for courses, students may choose between normal grading status (receiving a letter grade) and pass/fail.
- In courses taken on a pass/fail basis, a passing letter grade (any grade above an F, including D) assigned by the instructor is converted to P by the Registrar's Office and entered on the student's transcript. P is not calculated into the cumulative average, but an F is entered as a 0.0 and does affect the grade point average. Instructors are not informed by the Registrar as to who is enrolled on a pass/fail basis.
- Courses taken to fulfill any Foundational Approach requirement, the Sector Requirement, the Major Requirement or minor requirements cannot be taken pass/fail.
- College students may take no more than 8 c.u. of coursework pass/fail, though advisors generally recommend against this many.
- Students may change the grading status of a course from normal to pass/fail (or vice versa) through the end of the fifth full week of classes.
Freshmen are strongly advised not to take courses on a pass/fail basis.
Any courses taken on a pass/fail basis that are certified by the department or program as being part of a major or minor will be uncovered upon graduation.
The instructor who gives an evaluation, exam or course grade has sole authority for changing such evaluation, exam or course grade provided the instructor remains on the faculty (or the emeritus faculty) of the University of Pennsylvania. In cases in which faculty appointments have terminated, or faculty have resigned or are deceased, sole authority for changing an evaluation rests with the undergraduate chair of the relevant department.
Students in the College who wish to have an evaluation, exam or course grade reviewed must first discuss the matter with the instructor who gave the evaluation unless the instructor is no longer a member of the University of Pennsylvania faculty or emeritus faculty.
Should this meeting not yield a resolution that is satisfactory to both the student and the instructor, or not be possible, the student may ask the undergraduate chair of the relevant department for assistance in the matter. Should the matter not be resolved with the aid of the undergraduate chair, the student may seek the assistance of the Dean of the College. The role of the dean is limited to insuring that the department has arranged for a proper review of the matter.
Period for Grade Review
Once a grade from A+ to F has been entered on a student's transcript and has remained through the end of the next regular semester in which the student is enrolled, it is considered permanent and changes will not ordinarily be permitted. Any exception to this rule must be approved by the dean of the College.
