The Grading System

Students at UT Southern are graded in their academic achievements according to a system of letter grades. To facilitate computation of averages of students’ grades, the University assigns numerical values called quality points to all letter grades of passing quality. Below are various letters used in grading, their meaning, and quality point value:

A — denotes work of superior quality and is assigned four (4.0) quality points per credit hour. 

B — denotes work of above-average quality and is assigned three (3.0) quality points per credit hour.

C — denotes work of average quality and is assigned two (2.0) quality points per credit hour.

D — denotes work of below-average quality and is assigned one (1.0) quality points per credit hour.

F — denotes failure and zero (0.0) quality points are assigned for this grade.

P — pass. Hours count towards graduation requirements, but no quality points are awarded. This designation is used only in special circumstances such as labs, credits earned through by-pass tests, and some practica.

I — incomplete. This temporary grade must be replaced by a permanent one within the first four weeks of the following semester. Failure to complete the course work within this period of time will mean that the “incomplete” becomes a permanent grade of “F.” Most (about 75%) of the work in a class should be finished before a grade of I will be given. Must be approved by the School Chair.

W — the student withdrew from the course within the first four weeks of a full-term or within the first two weeks of a half-term session. For purposes of computing grade point averages, the “W” is treated as though the student had never enrolled in the course; however, the course still counts toward attempted hours.

WP — the student withdrew from the course after the deadline for awarding the “W” and that course work was of passing quality at the time of withdrawal. For purposes of computing grade point averages, the “WP” is treated as though the student had never enrolled in the course; however, the course counts toward attempted hours.

WF — the student withdrew from the course after the deadline for awarding the “W” and that course work was not of passing quality at the time of withdrawal. For purposes of computing grade point averages, the “WF” is treated as though the student had never enrolled in the course; however, the course counts toward attempted hours

In all instances except administrative failures (i.e., a failure assigned by the Provost for excessive absences or for violations of the Honor Code), all grades are assigned by the course instructors.