2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

Policies & ProceduresClass LevelStudents are classified according to the total number of creditsearned, including transfer credits accepted, as follows:Class LevelNumber of CreditsFirst Year Fewer than 24Second Year (sophomore) 24–47Third Year (junior) 48–71Fourth Year (senior) 72–95Fifth Year (senior +)96 or moreNote: For financial aid eligibility the number of full-timesemesters attended is also taken into account.Grading SystemLetter grades, with pluses and minuses noted, are used toassess the relative extent to which students achieve courseobjectives in the vast majority of Plymouth State Universitycourses. These courses are the ones on which a student’s gradepoint average is based. A student’s grade point average is calculatedon both a semester basis and on a cumulative basis thattakes into account all grades earned by a student at PlymouthState University. Grades earned at other colleges/universitieswhose credits were transferred into Plymouth are not takeninto account except translocated courses as described above.Grade Point AverageThe following grade point system is used to determine the student’sgrade point average.Grade Points per Credita 4.00A– 3.67B+ 3.33B 3.00B– 2.67C+ 2.33c 2.00C– 1.67D+ 1.33d 1.00D– 0.67F 0.00The point equivalent of a grade is multiplied by the creditsearned in that course. The sum total of all such points earnedin a semester, divided by the number of credits attempted,yields the semester grade point average as illustrated below.Course Grade Points Credits Total PointsComposition B 3.00 3 9.00General Biology I C+ 2.33 4 9.32Finite Mathematics B 3.00 3 9.00Foundations of Sociology A 4.00 3 12.00Macroeconomics B+ 3.33 3 9.9916 49.31The 49.31 grade points are divided by 16 credits and yield asemester grade point average of 3.08.To calculate a cumulative grade point average, the same proceduredescribed above to calculate the semester grade pointaverage is used. The only difference is that all graded creditsand points earned at Plymouth State University are used. ThePSU transcript keeps a running tally of the cumulative gradepoint average as well as of the semester grade point average.Major and Minor Grade Point AveragesAll students must earn a minimum grade point average of2.00 in their major by the time of graduation. Some programsstipulate a higher major grade point average that must beearned in the main academic discipline of the major program.A student’s major grade point average will be based on all specificcourses listed as required (except EN 1200), any othercourses elected beyond the required minimum number froman identified group, plus any others in the central disciplinewhich are elected.Students must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average in theirminor. One exception is the Pre-Law minor, which requires a3.00 grade point average.Administrative FailureAF stands for administrative failure. This notation is placedon a student’s transcript when an instructor does not haveenough information to assign a letter grade in a graded course.The administrative failure is usually a student’s failure to dropa course they stopped attending. An AF counts as an F gradein the calculation of grade point averages. It is not a reason fora course withdrawal.Credits AttemptedIf a student fails a course by earning either an F or an AF ina graded course, or a NP in a P/NP course, the credits thatwould have been earned if the course had been successfullycompleted are added to the transcript column entitled “creditsattempted.” Credits attempted reflect the grand total of creditsearned through successful completion of courses and creditsnot earned because of unsatisfactory performance, as well astransfer and credit-by-examination. Students’ academic standingis based on the number of credits attempted, as describedbelow. Students should be aware that if a minimum numberof credits is not successfully completed each semester at54 Plymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008