University Grading System
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Undergraduate grading system
UW Bothell uses a numerical grading system. Instructors may report grades from 4.0 to 0.7 in 0.1 increments and the grade 0.0. The number 0.0 is assigned for failing work or unofficial withdrawal. Grades in the range 0.6 to 0.1 may not be assigned. Grades reported in this range are converted by the Office of the Registrar to 0.0.
Numerical grades may be considered equivalent to letter grades as follows:
Undergraduate grading scale
| Letter Grade | Numerical Grade |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 – 3.9 |
| A- | 3.8 – 3.5 |
| B+ | 3.4 – 3.2 |
| B | 3.1 – 2.9 |
| B- | 2.8 – 2.5 |
| C+ | 2.4 – 2.2 |
| C | 2.1 – 1.9 |
| C- | 1.8-1.5 |
| D+ | 1.4 – 1.2 |
| D | 1.1 – 0.9 |
| D- | 0.8 – 0.7 (Lowest passing grade) |
| E | 0.0 (Failure or unofficial withdrawal; no credit earned) |
Graduate grading system
Graduate Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Numerical Grade |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 – 3.9 |
| A- | 3.8 – 3.5 |
| B+ | 3.4 – 3.2 |
| B | 3.1 – 2.9 |
| B- | 2.8 – 2.5 |
| C+ | 2.4 – 2.2 |
| C | 2.1 – 1.9 |
| C- | 1.8-1.5 |
| D+ | 1.4-1.2 |
| D | 1.1-0.9 |
| D- | 0.8-0.7 |
| E | 1.6 – 0.0 |
For information regarding grades and grading practices for Graduate Students, see Scholastic Regulation, Chapter 110.1.B.
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Other letter grades
Definitions for the following letter grades that may also be used:
| Letter Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| CR: Credit Awarded | Credit in a course offered on a credit/no-credit (C/NC) basis only or in courses numbered 600, 601, 700, 750 and 800. The minimum performance level required for a CR grade is determined, and the grade is awarded directly by the instructor. CR is not computed in GPA calculations. |
| NC: Credit Not Awarded | Credit not awarded in a course offered on a credit/no-credit (C/NC) basis only or in courses numbered 600, 601, 700, 750 and 800. The grade is awarded directly by the instructor and is not included in GPA calculations. |
| S: Satisfactory | Satisfactory grade for courses taken on a satisfactory/not-satisfactory (S/NS) basis. An S grade is automatically converted from a numerical grade of 2.0 or above for undergraduate classes and 2.7 or above for graduate classes. The grade S may not be assigned directly by the instructor, but is a grade conversion by the Office of the Registrar. Undergraduate students may elect this option only for electives and not for courses used to satisfy a core requirement. With the approval of their program advisor, graduate students may elect to be graded S/NS in any numerically graded course for which they are eligible. A maximum of 25 credits of S/NS grades may be applied to an undergraduate degree. S is not computed in GPA calculations. For graduate students, see an academic advisor. |
| NS: Not Satisfactory | Not Satisfactory grade for courses taken on a satisfactory/not-satisfactory (S/NS) basis. A grade less than 2.0 for undergraduate classes and 2.7 for graduate classes is converted to NS. NS is not included in GPA calculations. No credit is awarded for courses in which an NS grade is received. |
| X: No Grade | A faculty member should only assign a grade of “X” when a student is undergoing student conduct proceedings for the course at the time grades are due. The GPA is not affected and no credit is granted. The “X” will remain on the transcript and the student does not receive credit for the course until a passing grade is turned in. The GPA is not affected and no credit is granted. |
| I: Incomplete | Instructors may grant an incomplete grade if the student has done satisfactory work to within three weeks of the last day of the quarter and if circumstances prevent the student from completing the remaining work for the course by the end of the quarter. Instructors are never obligated to grant a student’s request for an Incomplete. Instructors will use the designated process for students to request and for instructors to approve the awarding of an Incomplete grade. To obtain credit for a course a grade must be submitted by the instructor of the course by the grading deadline per the Academic Calendar for the next subsequent quarter. For Spring quarter, the subsequent quarter is considered to be the Fall Quarter. This submission is done through the established late grade submission process. The submitted grade will replace the “I” on the transcript. If no grade is submitted the Incomplete will convert to a grade of 0.0 and the “I” will be removed from the official transcript. If a default grade was submitted by the instructor this grade will replace the “I” on the transcript. Courses taken CR/NC will change to a NC. The grade I shall count neither for registered hours nor in computation of grade-point averages. Instructors, on behalf of the student, may request an extension for one additional quarter beyond the original grading quarter utilizing the established extension request process. In no case shall an Incomplete on the record at the time a degree is granted be subsequently changed to any other grade. An Incomplete grade does not count for registered hours nor in computation of grade-point averages. |
| RD: Registrar Drop | “RD” is assigned when a student is allowed to drop a course(s) after the 14th calendar day of the quarter. It does not impact cumulative GPA or academic standing. |
| N: Hyphenated Course | N: Indicates that the student is making satisfactory progress and a final grade will be given at the end of the quarter the work is completed. Used only for hyphenated courses (courses not completed in one quarter) and courses numbered 600, 601, 700, 750 or 800. An N grade carries with it no credit or grade until a regular grade is assigned. |
Grade-point average
The cumulative grade-point average is based solely on courses taken in residence at the University of Washington.
Computation of grade-point average
The grade-point average for graduation is computed by dividing the total cumulative grade points by the total credits attempted for courses taken in residence at the University. Grade points are calculated by multiplying the number of credits by the numeric value of the grade for each course. The sum of the grade points is then divided by the total credits attempted. Courses elected on an S/NS basis are counted as follows: Satisfactory grades are printed on the permanent record as an S and do not count in the quarterly or cumulative grade-point average, but they do count as credits earned toward graduation. Not-satisfactory grades, NS, do not count in the quarterly and cumulative grade-point averages and do not count as credits earned toward graduation.
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIS 498 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| BIS 300 | 5 | 2.9 | 14.5 |
| BIS 343 | 5 | 3.2 | 16.0 |
- Total credits earned toward graduation is 10
- Total graded credits attempted is 13
- Grade-point average (GPA): 30.5 / 13 = 2.35
- The total graded credits attempted, not the credits earned toward graduation, are used in computing the grade-point average.
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIS 325 | 5 | 2.3 | 11.5 |
| BIS 463 | 5 | 2.9 | 14.5 |
| BIS 313 | 5 | I | 0.0 |
- Total credits earned toward graduation is 10
- Total graded credits attempted is 15
- Grade-point average(GPA): 26.0 / 10 = 2.60
- The student attempted 15 credits, but only 10 are graded, because the I (Incomplete) is not computed in the grade-point average. If the work in BIS 313 is not made up by the end of the quarter, the “I” will convert to a numeric grade of 0.0, and the grade-point average will be recomputed. When the grade of 0.0 is received, it is computed in the grade-point average, but no credit is awarded toward graduation.
Repeating courses
Undergraduates
With the approval of the academic department offering the course, a undergraduate may repeat a course once. Both the original grade and the second grade will be computed in the GPA, but credit will be allowed only once. Veterans receiving benefits must receive approval from the Office of Veterans & Military Educational Benefits before a course is repeated.
Graduates
Graduate students may repeat any course. Both the original grade and the second grade are computed in the GPA. Subsequent grades will not be included, but will appear on the permanent record. The number of credits earned in the course will apply toward degree requirements only once. Veterans receiving benefits must receive approval from the Office of Veterans & Military Educational Benefits before a course is repeated.
Departments may restrict undergraduates from repeat registration into courses.
A second repeat (taking a class for a third time [or more]) cannot be done using MyUW. A second repeat requires the department to register you into the course. Grades in the third or subsequent takings will not be included in the grade-point average (GPA). [or more]) cannot be done using MyUW. A second repeat requires the department to register you into the course. Grades in the third or subsequent takings will not be included in the grade-point average (GPA).
Grading procedures
Change of grade
Except in case of error, no instructor may change a grade that he or she has turned in to the Registrar. Grades cannot be changed after the degree has been granted.
Grade appeal procedure
A student who believes he or she has been improperly graded first discusses the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s explanation, the student may submit a written appeal to the dean or director of the student’s academic program (or their designee) with a copy of the appeal also to the instructor. The dean or director consults with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of the student’s performance has not been arbitrary or capricious. Should the director believe the instructor’s conduct to be arbitrary or capricious, and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the dean or director, with the approval of the voting members of his or her faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of that department, to evaluate the performance of the student and assign a grade. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs should be informed of this action.
Once a student submits a written appeal, this document, and all subsequent actions on this appeal are recorded in written form for deposit in a department or college file.
Grade reports
Grades are available through MyUW at the end of each quarter.
University policy on student education records
A copy of the University’s policy on a student’s right to inspect his or her education records and the University’s responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of such records are available at reference stations on campus (e.g., Office of the Chancellor and the Library).