Terminology/Descriptions of Academic Performance
The following terminology will be used for undergraduate courses in Arts, Business, Education, Engineering Science, Health Sciences, Information and Media Studies, Music, Science, Social Science, and the Affiliated
Colleges: Brescia, Huron, King’s. Instructors shall enter one of the following on the official record of final student evaluation for each student:
specific mark or grade
INC incomplete
IPR in progress, applicable only to graduate studies
and one of the following shall be entered on the Student Report for each course:
specific mark (if above 49%) and grade
AUD audit
INC incomplete
SPC special exam
SUP supplemental exam, in faculties that offer supplemental privileges
WDN withdrawn, if withdrawal is without academic penalty
PAS pass, for course designated as pass/fail
FAI fail, for course designated pass/fail
PWD pass with distinction, for courses designated as pwd/pass/fail in Faculties that offer this designation
This regulation applies also to the mid-year examination period.
Additional Information on Transcripts
Effective January 1, 2001, the following changes will be made to transcripts and to the reporting of grades:
1) Class (i.e., section) average will be added to the transcript (assessing failures as 40%);
2) For passing grades, the class size (i.e., section) will be added to the transcript (including failures in the enrollment);
3) The university-wide descriptors of the meaning of letter grades outlined as follows were approved by Senate and will be printed on the back of the transcripts:
University-wide grade descriptors:
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work which is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
In some Faculties, failing grades are distinguished as follows:
E 40-49 Fail with supplemental examination privileges
F below 40 Fail
An annual report by SCAPA will be made to Senate showing average grades and distribution, by Faculty, and the entry average of incoming students.
Engineering Science: Calculation of Weighted Average Marks
[The regulations on calculation of weighted average marks for the Faculty of Engineering Science are shown below. Item 1 of the above entry on Additional Information on Transcripts (S.99-43, S.99-279) is qualified with respect to the calculation of the average, i.e., assessing failures as 40%.]
Definition of Terms
Course Weight: Each course has been assigned a weight of 0.5 (half-course), 1.0 (full course) or 1.5 (CBE 4970). All A, B, F, G, and Y courses are half-courses. Courses with the suffix E or without a suffix are full courses. The weights for courses offered by other Faculties are usually either 1.0 (full course) or 0.5 (half-course).
Weighted Mark: The weighted mark for a course is the product of the weight for the course and the mark obtained by the student. For the purpose of calculating weighted average marks, a mark of 40% shall be assigned for each course offered by a Faculty other than the Faculty of Engineering in which the student is assigned a final grade of F. In the case of courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering the actual mark shall be used.
Weighted Average: The weighted average for an evaluation period is the total of the weighted marks obtained by the student during the evaluation period divided by the sum of the weights for the corresponding courses.
Incomplete Standing
A student who, for medical or compassionate reasons, is unable to complete his/her term work prior to the last day of classes and who wishes an extension in order to complete it, shall submit a written request to the Dean of the Faculty in which the student is registered. The request shall include the following information:
1. the type and extent of the work to be completed;
2. the date on which it is due;
3. the name of the faculty member who will receive and grade it.
Before making a decision, the Dean will consult with the instructor and Department Chair. If incomplete standing is granted, the Dean shall inform the student, the instructor, and the Department Chair of the date by which a final grade must be forwarded to the Registrar.
Failure of the student to meet the extended assignment deadline shall result in a grade of zero (0) for the assignment unless the Dean authorizes a further extension for medical or compassionate reasons.
The authorization of the Chair of the Department or Departmental Faculty of Graduate Studies Committee shall be sufficient for granting incomplete standing for graduate students.
When a grade of Special (SPC) or Incomplete (INC) appears on a student's record, the notation will be removed and replaced by a substantive grade as soon as the grade is available.
Marking Scales
Marks for achievement in courses are assigned as follows:
Mark Range Grade
90 – 100 A+
80 - 89 A
70 - 79 B
60 - 69 C
50 - 59 D
Below 50 F*
* Average calculations will INCLUDE failed marks. All marks below 50% are considered failures. Failing marks below 40% will be included in average calculations as 40%, marks from 40% to 49% will be included as the actual mark reported. A count of failed attempts will be maintained.
Note: Averages will be calculated to two decimal places and rounded to the nearest whole number with .45 rounded up.
Terminology/Descriptions SR.03-130
Additional Information SR.99-279
Engineering Science S.99-200
Definition of Terms SR.3663
Incomplete Standing SR.03-098
Marking Scales S.02-10
ACADEMIC INFORMATION 