University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog Summer 2010 – Spring 2011

Grading and Course Numbering Systems

University Policy required for graduation or a degree. “S” and “U”
do not affect the point standing.
Undergraduate grading system  “W” means Withdrew and does not enter into the
The University awards letter grades which are point standing.
translated into quality points to determine the grade  “X” means the work is not finished because of
point average or point standing. The “+/-” grading the nature of the study. This grade is available
system may be used to help students understand their only for graduate level courses.
performance more accurately. Under this system,
quality points are assigned as follows: All missing grades change to failing grades one year
after the completion of the semester in which the
• A = 4.0  C- = 1.7 course was taken.
• A- = 3.7  D+ = 1.3
University grade point average (GPA)
• B+ = 3.3  D = 1.0
• B = 3.0  D- = 0.7 The student’s grade-point average is determined by
• B- = 2.7  F = 0.0 dividing the total number of quality points earned by
• C = 2.0 the total number of semester hours attempted. The
number of hours attempted is computed by adding
The grade of A+ is given for extraordinary work and the hours for all courses in which the student has
appears on the transcript with the “plus” earned grades. The overall point standing takes into
qualification, but it awards no additional quality point account all work taken at the University. Courses
value in the calculation of the grade point average. numbered below the 100 level (000–099) taken in the
1998 Fall Semester or after will not be used in the
“F” means Not Passing and earns neither semester earned hours or University Grade Point Average
hours toward graduation nor quality points; however, calculations. However, decisions involving probation,
the number of semester hours attempted is computed dismissal, honors and eligibility for graduation are
into the point standing, so that “F” has a negative defined by each academic unit. Grades and quality
effect on the point standing. points earned at other institutions are not
incorporated into the university grade point average.
Other letter grades include the following: Students should review the unit sections to determine
how their enrollment unit uses transfer credit grades
 “AU” means Audit and does not enter into the in the calculation of the grade point average.
point standing.
Course numbering system
 "I" means 'Work in Course is Incomplete. This
grade does not enter into the point standing. The Each course has an alphabetic subject area code and a
grade and quality points awarded when the three-digit number. Within each department these
incomplete is made up (or the "F" that is given numbers are used to identify the courses.
by default if the incomplete is not made up by
the last day of final examinations of the next fall  Freshman courses are numbered 100 to 199.
or spring semester) become part of the point  Sophomore courses are numbered 200 to 299.
standing at that time.  Junior courses are numbered 300 to 399.
 “P” means Passing in a course taken on a pass-  Senior courses are numbered 400 to 499.
fail basis. A grade of “P” is given for  Senior and graduate courses are numbered 500 to
achievement equivalent to the standards for the 599.
grades “A” through “D” in the same course. A  Graduate courses are numbered 600 to 799.
“P” does not enter into the point standing, but
earns the designated number of semester hours. In registering to enroll for courses during a particular
 ”S” and “U” mean Satisfactory and term, students are required to use a unique four digit
Unsatisfactory. These grades are used only for course code, available in the university course
certain courses, and are not available by student schedule, to designate the particular course section in
option. Courses using these grades will earn which they seek to enroll.
semester hours, but those hours may not be
counted toward the minimum number of hours

University Policies Grading and Course Numbering

University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog Summer 2010 – Spring 2011

Additional Unit Policies course by checking the course description section of

the University Undergraduate Catalog.) will be
College of Arts and Sciences allowed to register for 300 and 400 level business
The University of Louisville calculates a University courses. Exceptions will be made for students in
Grade Point Average which is the standard measure baccalaureate degree programs in other units of the
of performance and the official university calculation University that require upper-level business courses.
upon which academic decisions (e.g., probation, These students must be juniors or seniors and must
suspension, eligibility for graduation) are made. The have the proper prerequisites to register for 300-400
University Grade Point Average is determined at the level courses in the COB. Students must obtain
undergraduate level, based upon all undergraduate permission to take these courses from the faculty
course work taken at the University of Louisville. advisor in their program of study. The COB reserves
the right to administratively withdraw students from
Courses numbered below the 100-level (000-099) courses based on academic policies. Business courses
taken in the 1998 Fall semester or later will not be numbered 500 and above are reserved for graduate
used in the earned hours or University Grade Point students; undergraduates may not take these courses.
Average calculation.
Note: Undergraduate students in the BA,BS/MBA
The grade point average is determined by dividing track may take 600 level courses in the second
the total number of quality points earned in the semester of their senior year, if special permission is
courses to be averaged by the total number of granted by the MBA advisor.
semester hours attempted in those courses. Only
courses in which a student has earned grades of A, B, All courses offered through the 499 level in the COB,
C, D and F count in determining the number of hours at the time of publication of this catalog, are listed
attempted. under the departments and programs offering the
courses. Courses beyond the 499 level are listed and
Grading and Course Numbering System described in the Graduate Catalog. A Schedule of
In determining eligibility for graduation with College Courses is published each year. The College reserves
Honors, the College calculates an “expanded grade the right to cancel without prior notice any courses
point average” of all earned grades, including transfer listed in this catalog or in the Schedule of Courses,
work and repeated or bankrupt courses. and to withdraw any course that does not have an
adequate enrollment at a reasonable time during the
College of Business registration period for the semester. The College
attempts to provide all courses required for
The University calculates a University Grade Point graduation frequently enough to ensure that no
Average, which becomes the standard measure of student's degree will be delayed by course
performance and the official calculation upon which unavailability, but the College cannot guarantee that
academic decisions are made. The undergraduate such delay will not occur.
University GPA is based on all college-level
undergraduate course work taken at the University of College of Education & Human Development
Louisville. Courses numbered below the 100-level
(000-099) taken in the 1998 Fall semester or after The University calculates a University Grade Point
will not be used in the earned hours or University Average, which becomes the standard measure of
grade point average calculation. performance and the official calculation upon which
academic decisions are made. The undergraduate
College of Business courses numbered 101-299 are University GPA is based on all college-level
primarily for freshmen and sophomores, and such undergraduate course work taken at the University of
courses generally contain introductory or basic Louisville. Courses numbered below the 100-level
material. These courses are open to all students (000-099) taken in the 1998 Fall semester or after
enrolled in the University of Louisville. Business will not be used in the earned hours or University
courses numbered 300-499 are those in which the grade point average calculation.
majority of students enrolled are juniors and seniors,
and such courses contain advanced undergraduate Transfer students applying directly for admission to
material. Only students admitted to the College of the College of Education and Human Development or
Business in good standing and who have completed for admission to Teacher Education will be evaluated
the proper prerequisites (It is the student’s for admission on the basis of cumulative grade-point
responsibility to know the prerequisites for any average for all credit earned (transfer and U of L

University Policies Grading and Course Numbering

University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog Summer 2010 – Spring 2011

credit). No work below a “C” (not “C-“) will apply toward a

major subject. The grades of “S” and “U” may be
Dental Hygiene Program received in applied music and class piano. When
For students in the Upper Division, the following such a grade is received in a course, no hours, credit,
grade point scale is utilized for all courses in the DH or quality points are received, and the course must be
curriculum: repeated.

(4) points for an “A” grade School of Nursing

(3) points for a “B” grade No work below a “C” (not “C-“) will apply toward a
(2) points for a “C” grade major subject. The grades of “S” and “U” may be
(1) point for a “D” grade received in applied music and class piano. When
(0) point for an “F” grade such a grade is received in a course, no hours, credit,
or quality points are received, and the course must be
“P/F”, “H”, and “I” grades will not be used in repeated.
calculating a GPA.
The University calculates a University Grade Point
All courses are assigned credit hours by the Dental Average, which becomes the standard measure of
Hygiene Curriculum Committee. By multiplying the performance and the official calculation upon which
credit hours for each course by the grade points academic decisions are made. The undergraduate
earned in the course, the total number of academic University GPA is based on all college-level
points for the semester’s course work is determined. undergraduate course work taken at the University of
Louisville. Courses numbered below the 100-level
The cumulative GPA is calculated by adding all (000-099) taken in the 1998 Fall semester or after
academic points earned in the dental hygiene will not be used in the earned hours or University
curriculum and dividing by the total number of credit grade point average calculation.
hours taken, including failures.
Speed School of Engineering
Kent School of Social Work Decisions involving academic warning, probation,
Grades of C’s and D’s are not recognized when suspension, dismissal, honors, and eligibility for
students apply to continue their studies in the MSSW graduation are defined by each academic unit. These
program. Although these grades can be accepted for decisions are based on the university grade point
completion of the BSW degree if the cumulative GPA average, which is determined by dividing the total
remains above 2.5, they are not accepted for number of quality points earned by the total number
admission to the 30 hour MSSW program. Students of semester hours attempted. The number of hours
may be requested to repeat these courses when they attempted is computed by adding the hours for all
apply to the MSSW program. courses in which the student has earned grades. The
overall point standing takes into account all work
Grades of F will result in an immediate academic taken at the University, excluding courses numbered
review. The BSW Coordinator of Academic Affairs below the 100 level. Grades and quality points earned
will schedule this review. at other institutions are not incorporated into the
university grade point average.
School of Music
The University calculates a University Grade Point Courses with numbers from 500 to 599 may be open
Average, which becomes the standard measure of to both undergraduate and graduate students and can
performance and the official calculation upon which be taken by graduate students for graduate credit.
academic decisions are made. The undergraduate Those numbered 600 and above are primarily for
University GPA is based on all college-level graduate students. Graduate students who wish to
undergraduate course work taken at the University of receive graduate credit for 500-level courses must
Louisville. Courses numbered below the 100-level demonstrate a level of mastery of the course material
(000-099) taken in the 1998 Fall semester or after substantially above that required for undergraduate
will not be used in the earned hours or University credit. This mastery must be verified in writing by the
grade point average calculation. Program grade point instructor if graduate credit is requested after course
average ceases to exist as an official measure. is completed. Demonstration of an appropriate degree
of mastery may include term papers, independent
study, comprehensive examinations, or other more

University Policies Grading and Course Numbering

University of Louisville Undergraduate Catalog Summer 2010 – Spring 2011

stringent requirements than those applied for

undergraduate credit. The nature of the differences
between the requirements for graduate credit and
those for undergraduate credit must be described in
course syllabi. Students are advised to consult their
department for information on any particular 500-
level course.

University Policies Grading and Course Numbering