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7.9 Grading Policy

Effective January 1, 2003 Athabasca University adopted the province-wide alpha/4.0 grading system to report undergraduate final grades. Courses with start dates of January 1, 2003 and later use an alpha grading scale. For courses with start dates before January 1, 2003, the percentage grading scale is used.

For individual courses, the alpha scale uses letter grades ranging from “A+” through “F” to reflect a student's performance and knowledge of the materials covered. Overall academic performance will be reported using the 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) scale. A grade point is a value between 0 and 4.00 that is assigned to a grade (alpha or percentage). The grade-point average is a weighted average of all the courses a student has taken with Athabasca University that have a grade-point value.

The passing grade for Athabasca University undergraduate courses taken before December 31, 2002 is 50 percent unless stipulated otherwise in the course outline/syllabus. For courses started January 1, 2003 and later, the passing grade is the equivalent to a “D” unless stipulated otherwise in the course outline/syllabus.

     
7.9.1 Grade-point Average

A grade-point average is calculated for all Athabasca University undergraduate transcripts. All courses listed on your transcript will have a grade assigned, and are included in the cumulative grade-point average calculation.

For each course taken, the transcript will display the course grade (percentage or alpha) as well as its corresponding 4-point grade value. All failing grades, excluding grades of “WF (Withdrawal Failure)” and “U (Failure: in courses using pass/fail grade mode)” are calculated into the cumulative average. For courses started before December 31, 2002, the actual percentage grade earned by a student for a failed course is also shown on the transcript. For courses started before September 1989, the passing grade is 60 percent unless stipulated otherwise. Grades for courses using the pass/fail grade mode are not included in the GPA calculation.

     
7.9.2 Notification of Grades

Questions about your midterm marks may be directed to your Academic Centre or tutor. You must positively identify yourself before University staff will release unofficial marks or grades over the telephone. Marks and grades released over the telephone have no official standing.

The Office of the Registrar provides statements of your composite grade (final grade) achieved in courses and the credits earned for each course completed. Your course composite grade cannot be calculated until all the course requirements (e.g., labs, assignments, essays, tests, quizzes, and examinations) have been completed, submitted, and marked.

While Athabasca University makes every effort to expedite the calculating process, it takes time to mail, mark, process, and issue your grades and/or transcripts. Please take this into consideration when you request that your transcript be sent to another institution (refer to Section 7.11).

     
7.9.3 Rushing Final Grades

Athabasca University makes every effort to expedite the marking of examinations, particularly when you wish to transfer your courses to other institutions. The University does not have the resources to meet unrealistic time expectations. We recommend that you write your examination and complete and submit all your assignments four to six weeks before the date your final grade is required. This will allow the University time to mark and mail your results. To make arrangements to rush grading, please contact the administrative assistant responsible for your course well in advance.

     
7.9.4 Incomplete Course Work

Before December 31, 2002, students who were unable to complete a course by the course contract end date, and who did not request a course extension or a course withdrawal, were awarded a grade of “0F (Zero Failure).”

After January 1, 2003, students who are unable to complete their course by the course contract end date, and who do not request a course extension (refer to Section 6.16)or a course withdrawal, are awarded a grade of “F (Failure)” or “U (Failure: for courses using pass/fail grade mode).”

For courses that have one or more mandatory components (e.g., quizzes, assignments, or minimum grades on all assignments or quizzes), these components must be completed to pass the course. The assignment of a mark of zero on such a component may result in a failing grade being assigned to the course. You are strongly advised to read the course syllabus carefully.

Some courses, especially those with lab components, are offered only at specific times of the year and are exempt from this policy. For more information, contact the Academic Centre that offers the course.

 


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