1. For each course, an academic unit may choose to use a numeric grading system, a pass/fail grading system, or both.

   1. When a grade is to be numeric, its integer value between 0% and 100% shall be submitted to the Registrar. The corresponding letter grades, and the points awarded for each credit hour, are as follows. An explanation of each of these letter grades can be found below under Descriptions of Letter Grades Which Correspond to Numeric Grades.

      • 80-100% (A): 4 points per credit hour
      • 65-79% (B): 3 points per credit hour
      • 55-64% (C): 2 points per credit hour
      • 50-54% (D): 1 point per credit hour
      • 0-49% (F): 0 points

   2. When a grade is to indicate only whether a student passed or failed a course, one of the following letter grades shall be submitted to the Registrar, for which no points shall be applicable:

      • PAS (Pass): indicates that performance met or exceeded expectations; credit is awarded for the successful completion of the course
      • FAL (Fail): indicates that performance was below expectations; no credit is awarded for the successful completion of the course

   3. In a work term course, the following letter grade may instead be submitted to the Registrar, for which no points shall be applicable:

      • PWD (Pass With Distinction): indicates that performance significantly exceeded expectations; credit is awarded for the successful completion of the course

2. The use of a grading system other than those described above, including the use of the Pass With Distinction letter grade in a course which is not a work term course, requires the approval of the University Senate.

3. Where circumstances warrant, and in accordance with the relevant University regulations, a student may be assigned one of the following letter grades, for which no points shall be applicable:

   • INC (Incomplete): grade cannot be determined until the student has completed additional course requirements; see Grading, Incomplete Grades
   • ABS (Absent): grade cannot be determined until the student has written a deferred final examination; see Final Examinations, Exemptions From Final Examinations and Procedures for Applying to Write Deferred Examinations
   • DR (Drop): student has dropped the course without academic prejudice; see Registration, Dropping Courses Without Academic Prejudice
   • DEX (Drop Under Exceptional Circumstances): student has been permitted to retroactively drop the course without academic prejudice; see Registration, Dropping Courses Retroactively
   • AEG (Aegrotat): student has been granted aegrotat status; see Grading, Aegrotat Status

4. The grading system to be used in a course, including the option to choose between multiple grading systems, is at the discretion of the academic unit, and cannot be appealed by a student.

5. When an academic unit offers a choice of grading systems where only one is numeric, students are encouraged to consult with an academic advisor before declaring their choice, as this decision may have implications for program admissions, scholarships, and other matters of an academic nature.

6. Should any dispute or uncertainty arise in the application of the method of evaluation to determine a student’s grade in a course, or in a student’s choice of grading system when this option has been provided, the final authority to make grading decisions rests with the Dean of the appropriate Faculty/School or the Vice-President of the Marine Institute, in consultation with the course instructor and the head of the appropriate academic unit.

• "A" indicates excellent performance with clear evidence of:
  • comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter and principles treated in the course,
  • a high degree of originality and independence of thought,
  • a superior ability to organize and analyse ideas, and
  • an outstanding ability to communicate.
• "B" indicates good performance with evidence of:
  • substantial knowledge of the subject matter,
  • a moderate degree of originality and independence of thought,
  • a good ability to organize and analyse ideas, and
  • an ability to communicate clearly and fluently.
• "C" indicates satisfactory performance with evidence of:
  • an acceptable grasp of the subject matter,
  • some ability to organize and analyse ideas, and
  • an ability to communicate adequately.
• "D" indicates minimally acceptable performance with evidence of:
  • rudimentary knowledge of the subject matter,
  • some evidence that organizational and analytical skills have been developed, but with significant weaknesses in some areas, and
  • a significant weakness in the ability to communicate.
• "F" indicates failing performance with evidence of:
  • an inadequate knowledge of the subject matter,
  • failure to successfully complete required work,
  • an inability to organize and analyse ideas, and
  • an inability to communicate.

1. Students at all university levels should have reasonably sophisticated and effective communication skills and are expected to demonstrate proficiency in logical organization, clarity of expression and grammatical correctness. Good writing is expected of students in all courses. Upon graduation students should be capable of expressing complicated ideas clearly and concisely and should be able to develop arguments in a logical manner. When, in the judgement of the instructor, a student persistently fails to display a reasonable standard of writing, the instructor may consider this when assigning a final grade.

2. Good writing is characterized by the following qualities:

   • Content
     • critical insight and freshness of thought,
     • clear and penetrating ideas,
     • perceptive, pure grasp of subject,
     • intelligent use of primary and secondary sources, and
     • a sense of completeness about the handling of the topic.
   • Organization
     • effective introduction and conclusion,
     • main idea is clear and logical development follows,
     • smooth transitions, and
     • good use of details.
   • Style
     • appropriate, accurate, precise and idiomatic diction, and
     • sentences varied in kind, length and effect.
   • Mechanics
     • consistently correct spelling,
     • accurate use of punctuation,
     • grammatically correct sentences, and
     • well organized paragraphing.

1. A linked course is a course comprising two components and is normally identified by the letter "A" or "B" as the last character of the course number. No credits or points are assigned to the "A" part of a linked course. No credits or points are given until the "B" part is successfully completed. Credits and points will be awarded upon successful completion of the "B" part and will be attributed to the "B" part only.

1. A student who, for extenuating circumstances, is unable to complete the requirements of a course may, with the approval of the appropriate academic unit, be granted a letter grade of incomplete (INC) in the course. This grade shall be valid for only one week following the start of classes in the next academic semester or session as stated in the University Diary. In the event that a numeric grade has not been received by the Registrar by this deadline the INC shall be changed to the letter grade F with a numeric grade 0%.

2. A student unable to complete the requirements of a course by the end of one week following the start of classes in the next academic semester or session as stated in the University Diary, may be permitted an extension of time not exceeding the last date for examinations in the semester following that in which the student was enrolled in the course. Such an extension may be granted by the head of the appropriate academic unit at the request of the student. In the event that a numeric grade has not been received by the Registrar by this new deadline the INC shall be changed to the letter grade F with a numeric grade 0%. In special circumstances, students registered for a Social Work Internship may be given an extension not exceeding two semesters. Students registered in one of Human Kinetics and Recreation 2210, 2220, 3210, 3220, 4210 or 4220 may be given an extension not exceeding three semesters, by the Academic Council of the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation.

Only courses evaluated using final grades with associated numeric grades and points are included in the calculation of all averages. In calculating current averages the grades obtained in the A part of linked courses shall be included, while the grades obtained in foundation courses and work terms shall be excluded. Credit received as a result of transfer credit and challenge for credit are not included in the calculation. These calculations may be expressed as averages or grade point averages.

1. Current average: is a method of expressing a student's performance for the semester. The current average is based on final grades. The current average is calculated by computing the sum of the numeric grade in each course multiplied by the course weight and dividing that sum by the total of the course weights.

2. Cumulative average: is a method of expressing a student's performance over the student's academic career recorded since the beginning of the 1980-81 academic year. Where any given course, or an equivalent or cross-listed course, is attempted two or more times and is not repeatable, only the best attempt is included in the average. The cumulative average is calculated by computing the sum of the numeric grade in each course multiplied by the credit hour value and dividing that sum by the total number of credit hours attempted.

3. Current grade point average: is a method of expressing a student's performance for the semester. The points associated with each letter grade are multiplied by the course weight. The current grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total of the course weights.

4. Cumulative grade point average: is a method of expressing a student's performance over the student's academic career recorded since the beginning of the 1980-81 academic year. Where any given course, or an equivalent or cross-listed course, is attempted two or more times and is not repeatable, only the best attempt is included in the average. For each course used in the calculation, the points associated with each letter grade are multiplied by the course credit hour value. The cumulative grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted.

1. Students in their final semester or session before graduation, who have been absent from a final examination where one has been scheduled or who have been prevented from completing the semester's or session's work, for reasons which qualify them to write a deferred examination, may, in exceptional circumstances, be given credit for the course on the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies.

2. Application for aegrotat status, with full details duly authenticated, must be made to the Registrar, indicating each course for which the application is being made, within one week after the last day of final examinations.