Academic Regulations

a.Grading

An instructor bears full responsibility for evaluating the academic performance of students in graded courses.

An instructor must indicate at the beginning of each graded course, in writing, the detailed manner by which work will be assessed and the final grades derived and, upon request, communicate to students an estimation of their levels of performance by the end of the eighth week of the term. An instructor may prescribe a variety of forms of evaluation, such as recitations and papers, mid-term examinations and a final examination.

Final grades are determined in accordance with the grading system described in this Calendar. All grades for courses are submitted to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty or School offering a course by the date set in the Calendar. Except when a ‘Course Incomplete’ has been approved by both the Instructor and the Dean, there is no provision, revision or evaluation of students’ work after the final grade submission deadline for graded courses. There is no provision for the late submission of final grades. Grade changes can be submitted by the instructor up to two months following the grade submission deadline (e.g., fall term grade submission deadline on December 1 - grade change permitted until February 28 of the following term). The ‘I’ designation must be converted by the instructor to a final grade within a maximum of one year.

1.Grading System

Effective May 1, 2002, the University of Lethbridge and other Alberta universities adopted a common 4-point grading system. The common grading system closely resembles the grading system that became effective on September 1, 1988, when pluses and minuses were introduced into the original University of Lethbridge grading system. All three University of Lethbridge systems are described in the table below, which appears on the back of official paper University of Lethbridge academic transcripts, and found online (www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/transcripts).

Under all three systems, the overall academic performance of a student is expressed as a Grade Point Average (GPA). For students whose grades are recorded under two or three systems, the GPA is determined in the same way. No attempt will be made at differential weighting of the three systems.

University of Lethbridge Grading Systems

Note: WF - Withdrawal Fail effective May 1, 1992 to April 30, 2010

For master’s programs, the minimal pass for graded courses is ‘B-’ and failure is ‘C+’ or below. For Ph.D. programs, the minimal pass for graded courses is ‘B’ and failure is ‘B-’ or below

2.Grade Point Average Calculations

The current GPA, often referred to as the ‘term GPA’, is calculated on all graded courses completed in a given term and appears on both official and unofficial academic transcripts.

The total institution GPA, often referred to as the ‘cumulative GPA’, is calculated on all graded courses and appears on all academic transcripts by the level of a student’s program (undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral).

The GPA achieved by a student is determined by multiplying the grade points assigned to each grade by the weighting factor for the course. The total of all course grade points thus calculated is then divided by the total of the weighting factors for all courses.

Example:

Other types of GPA calculations:

Administrative units at the University may calculate a variety of averages in order to determine eligibility for scholarships and awards, academic standing, admission, graduation, etc. When making their calculations, units may include grades for courses transferred from another institution and grades associated with the Credit/Non-Credit designation. In addition, they may choose to exclude certain grades on both University of Lethbridge and transfer courses from the GPA calculations.

There are certain courses that are not included in the calculation of the current or cumulative GPA. These include courses transferred from another institution; the one attempt for a repeated course; and courses in which there are non-grade designations such as Credit/Non-Credit.

In the case of courses designated as Pass/Fail, a ‘P’ or ‘Pass’ is not included in the calculation of the current or cumulative GPA, but an ‘F’ or ‘Fail’ is included in the GPA calculation (see Non-Grade Designations, P - Pass/Fail Courses).

b.Non-Grade Designations

Non-grade designations are assigned by the Registrar and have no grade point designation attached to them.

AI - Administrative Incomplete

The designation of ‘AI’ is recorded when a final grade is not submitted by the final grade deadline. The ‘AI’ is replaced by the letter grade as soon as it is received. The ‘AI’ designation is temporary and must be replaced by a grade as soon as possible and cannot be changed to an Incomplete designation.

AU - Audit

Initiated by: Student

The non-grade AU designation is awarded in the case where a student has been granted permission to audit a course. The course appears on the academic transcript as ‘AU’. Contact information is available at www.ulethbridge.ca/graduate-studies.

I - Incomplete

Initiated by: Student.

The designation of ‘I’ is awarded only in case of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student, which make it impossible to complete the required work by the close of a term. The ‘I’ designation is awarded only on application to and approval of both the instructor and the appropriate Dean and such application is not considered until the last two weeks of classes. When the ‘I’ is approved, an appropriate deadline is determined for completion of outstanding work. A student who does not complete outstanding work by the assigned deadline will normally receive an ‘F’ in the course.

The ‘I’ designation must be converted by the instructor to a letter designation within a maximum of one year; if not so converted, it becomes an ‘F’. Where circumstances continue to prevent the completion of the course by the deadline, the Faculty or School will contact the Registrar to ensure the ‘I’ designation remains.

W - Withdrawal

Initiated by: Student

A designation of ‘W’ may be recorded at any time after the Extended Drop deadline up to and including the last day of classes. The ‘W’ designation shall be awarded only after a student or their agent formally withdraws from a course on the Bridge. Students are responsible for ensuring the submission is made on the Bridge by the relevant deadline. Refer to the Academic Schedule for the last day to withdraw.

WC - Withdrawal with Cause

Initiated by: Student

The designation ‘WC’ is recorded only in case of serious illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student, which make continuation in a course impossible and where an ‘Incomplete’ designation is not in order. For admitted students, the ‘WC’ is recorded only upon final approval and submission to Student Enrolment and Registrar Services. For Open Studies students, the ‘WC’ is recorded upon application to Student Enrolment and Registrar Services.

Prior to readmission to the course, students who are granted a ‘Withdrawal with Cause’ may be requested to provide evidence that the conditions which led to the withdrawal (WC) have been identified and addressed. This evidence must be submitted to Student Enrolment and Registrar Services for placement in the student’s official record.

X - Continuing

Assigned by: Instructor

Used only for courses which may extend beyond one term. Eligible courses are designated by the Faculty or School offering the course. Signifies that a grade will be awarded at the conclusion of the course and will replace the ‘X’ on the student’s academic transcript.

X - Permanent

Assigned by: Student Enrolment and Registrar Services.

Used for placeholder courses to indicate that the student is active in the program but is not taking courses in a given term or is taking credit courses at another institution, under the appropriate authorization.

Cr/NC - Credit/Non-Credit

Initiated by: Student

A student may elect to designate some courses as Credit/Non-Credit. This alternative is designed to encourage students to expand their academic interests by taking courses outside their field of major interest. Credit/Non-Credit is not available to Open Studies students.

At the Master’s level, for completion of course requirements with a grade of ‘B-’ or higher, the grade earned appears on the academic transcript automatically. If a grade of ‘C+’ or lower is earned, an ‘NC’ appears on the academic transcript.

At the Doctoral level, for completion of course requirements with a grade of ‘B’ or higher, the grade earned appears on the academic transcript automatically. If a grade of ‘B-’ or lower is earned, an ‘NC’ appears on the academic transcript.

The Credit/Non-Credit alternative may not be elected in courses constituting the student’s degree, required courses in Education and specifically-required, non-Management courses.

No courses carrying a ‘Credit’ designation may be used to meet requirements where the Credit/Non-Credit designation is specifically prohibited in the Calendar. The relevant Program Committee will review a course substitution request for approval consideration.

Note: Non-Credit (‘NC’) designations are often counted by other institutions as equivalent to ‘F’ grades. Students planning to apply to other graduate or professional schools should consider this carefully before electing this option.

A student may not use a Credit/Non-Credit designation to replace a grade earned previously.

P - Pass/Fail Courses

Certain courses are specified as Pass/Fail in the course descriptions. For such courses, students are awarded either the designation ‘P’ or the grade ‘F’.

The designation ‘P’ indicates satisfactory completion of the objectives of a Pass/Fail course. When a student is awarded the designation ‘P’, the course is not included in computation of the GPA.

c.Academic Transcripts

An academic transcript is the official, permanent record of a student’s enrolment activity at the University of Lethbridge, including the terms in which registration took place and the associated grades or grade symbols that were assigned. The academic transcript also includes the student’s current or most recent program degree(s), major(s), minor(s), concentration(s), and specialization(s), as appropriate.

1.Official and Unofficial Academic Transcripts

Official academic transcripts bear the seal and signature of the University of Lethbridge Registrar. An official academic transcript includes, for each student at each program level (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral), all University of Lethbridge courses in progress, courses attempted (successfully and unsuccessfully), courses repeated, courses withdrawn, credits earned, GPA, and academic standing by term until the day the academic transcript is produced. A summary of academic transfer credit is listed by institution and term awarded. The student’s cumulative GPA is also included on the academic transcript. Upon completion of program requirements and the conferral of degrees, additional notations are included on the official academic transcript in accordance with University policies (see Graduation, Academic Transcripts).

An unofficial academic transcript does not bear the Registrar’s seal or signature. This type of academic transcript is not the official record of the University of Lethbridge; however, it is accessible to students online through the Bridge to allow students to monitor their own progress as they navigate their program(s).

2.Academic Transcript Requests

Official academic transcripts are confidential and will only be issued upon request by the student. A student may request a paper copy, electronic copy, or both of their transcript. Electronic copies are verified and official, issued to the student from the University of Lethbridge to the student’s MyCreds account. Learn more about MyCreds at www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/mycreds. Students can request transcripts on the Bridge or in-person at Student Enrolment and Registrar Services. When requests are made in person, appropriate documentation such as a student ID card or driver’s licence is required.

Third-party requests must be authorized by the student. For more details on obtaining official academic transcripts, see www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/transcripts. Requesting separate official academic transcripts for each degree level completed at the University of Lethbridge is not possible.

Official academic transcript requests, complete with date of issue and recipient, are maintained indefinitely. Students will be notified promptly if their academic transcripts have not been issued because of academic holds, inability to authenticate the source of the request, or for other reasons which may apply.

3.Withholding Academic Transcripts

Official and unofficial academic transcripts will not be issued if the student has any outstanding financial obligations to the University.