Grades and Grade Point Average

Grading Scale

U.T. Dallas adopted the following grade scale for all undergraduate students effective Fall 2000. Grades for courses completed prior to Fall 2000 accrue point values as shown in the appropriate catalog. 

A student may withdraw from a course before the final drop date listed in the Academic Calendar, in which case a W will be entered on the student’s transcript. (See Withdrawing from and Adding Courses) A student who believes he/she has dropped a course, but receives a grade for that course at the end of the semester, has one calendar year in which to bring his/her copy of the drop slip to the Office of Records and Registration to contest that grade.

Grade Point Average

Grade points are computed by multiplying the points for each grade by the number of credit hours; for example, 4 (A) x 3 (hours) = 12 grade points.

A student's grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of semester hours for which a grade other than X, NC, or CR is received. Only grades earned at U.T. Dallas are used in calculating the GPA.

Incomplete Grade (X)

A grade of Incomplete may be given, at the discretion of the instructor of record for a course, when a student has completed at least 70% of the required course material but cannot complete all requirements by the end of the semester. An incomplete course grade (grade of X) must be completed within the time period specified by the instructor, not to exceed eight weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. Upon completion of the required work, the symbol X may be converted into a letter grade (A through F) by the instructor. If the grade of Incomplete is not removed by the end of the specified period, it will automatically be changed to F. Extension beyond the specified limit can be made only with the permission of the instructor and the student’s ADU (or the Undergraduate Dean in the case of students without declared majors). A student may not re-enroll in a course in which a grade of X remains.

Students may obtain a petition/documentation form for an Incomplete in the office of the student’s ADU. The form is to be submitted to the instructor from whom the Incomplete is sought. Students should be aware that an Incomplete is only appropriate for work unavoidably missed at semester’s end. Students should contact their school office for school policies on Incompletes. If a significant fraction of a semester is missed with cause, see the section on “Withdrawing from and Adding Courses”.

An instructor assigning an Incomplete must submit the petition/documentation form containing a description of the work required to complete the course to the ADU of the school offering the course. Upon approval, a copy of the petition will be forwarded to the student’s ADU to be retained with the student’s academic record. The instructor alone will be responsible for determining whether the requirements for completion are met and for assigning the grade in the course.

However, if the instructor who has signed the Incomplete is no longer associated with U.T. Dallas and the work is completed within the time allowed before the Incomplete lapses to an F, the Associate Dean of the instructor’s college may assign a committee of appropriate faculty to evaluate the material and/or obtain any other information which may be required to assign the grade in the course.

Transfer of Grades

A student's grades may not be transferred to another institution from U.T. Dallas until the student has satisfied all obligations to the university, including financial and property obligations.

An official record (transcript) of academic work at the university will be furnished to eligible students upon their written request.

Transcripts

The term “transcript” refers to the recorded results of the student’s academic work. This document will contain all of the important facts pertaining to the student’s academic level, scholarship, and degrees. Students may obtain an official copy of their U.T. Dallas transcript from the Office of Records and Registration at no charge. Unofficial transcripts may be obtained on the Web at http://www.utdallas.edu/SIS/ or at any campus Kiosk location. No partial or incomplete transcripts will be issued. Transcripts may be ordered in person at the Transcript Office, by FAX at (972) 883-6335, or by mail from: Office of Records and Registration, U.T. Dallas, P.O. Box 830688, MC 11, Richardson, Texas 75083-0688.

Section 4.29, Texas Education Code, provides legal penalties for any alteration of academic records or transcripts with the intent to use such a document fraudulently or permit the fraudulent use of such a document. Falsifying or omitting information may result in withdrawal of any offer of admission, cancellation of enrollment, and/or disciplinary action.

Satisfactory Scholastic Progress

A student is considered to be making satisfactory scholastic progress when he or she is carrying an approved schedule of classes, is not on probation, and has a GPA of at least 2.0 (C average) in the major and overall.

Outstanding Scholastic Achievement

University Honors Program: Collegium V

The University offers a comprehensive program of enrichment and recognition, known as Collegium V, for outstanding students. Collegium V includes special seminar-style classes offered by selected university professors as well as a program of extracurricular activities designed to encourage and reward exceptional academic achievement. Benefits available to participants in Collegium V include extended library borrowing privileges, early registration for Honors seminars, research and internship opportunities with professors, and an agenda of cultural events such as concerts, exhibits, and plays. Since membership in Collegium V is limited, interested students should contact:

The Office of Undergraduate Education
ATTN: Collegium V
The University of Texas at Dallas
P. O. Box 830688, MS MP 16
Richardson TX 75083-0688
(972) 883-4297

Dean's List

The top ten percent of all students in each school who complete 12 or more SCH during the fall and spring semesters will be recognized as members of the Dean's List of their respective schools. Students without a declared major are eligible for the Dean's List of the Office of Undergraduate Education.

Graduation with Honors

Students who show particular distinction in scholarship at the university are afforded the opportunity of graduating with one of three degrees of honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude. Only grades earned at U.T. Dallas are used in determining graduation with honors, and a minimum of 45 U.T. Dallas graded credit hours are required. In order to graduate with honors, a student should indicate this interest on the Application for Graduation form in the ADU’s office. Requirements for graduation with honors are as follows:

Each honors level requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) to be attained over all course work taken at The University of Texas at Dallas. In the case of a student with a double major who wishes to graduate with honors, a single honors designation will be awarded. For magna and summa honors, a single honors thesis will be completed in the ‘primary’ major. Students graduating with a double degree who wish to receive honors for both degrees must complete separate honors requirements for each degree.

Summa cum laude

• Completion of a minimum of 45 graded hours at U.T. Dallas

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.9.

• The completion of a senior honors thesis or project in the major field with an evaluation of summa as determined by the program.

Magna cum laude

• Completion of a minimum of 45 graded hours at U.T. Dallas

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.75

• The completion of a senior honors thesis or project in the major field with an evaluation of magna as determined by the program.

Cum laude

• Completion of a minimum of 45 graded hours at U.T. Dallas

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.5.

Scholastic Difficulties

Scholastic Probation

All students who show a cumulative grade point deficiency, defined as a cumulative GPA below a ‘C’ or 2.00, are placed on probation automatically by noting such status on their academic record. A student may also be placed on probation by the ADU if the student does not maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in the major and related courses, independent of the overall GPA.

A student on scholastic probation must meet with an academic advisor prior to registration. In addition, such students may not register for more than 12 semester hours, and must earn a 2.2 GPA each semester while on probation. Violation of these conditions may lead to the student’s suspension from the university.

Grade point deficiencies incurred at U.T. Dallas must be removed through additional course work at U.T. Dallas. Grade points earned at other institutions are not used in computing the GPA and may not be used to remove a grade point deficiency.

Students who leave the university on scholastic probation will be readmitted on scholastic probation only, even if they have attended another university in the interim. If a student withdraws from the university while on scholastic probation, and if this action results in an additional grade point deficiency, the student has failed to meet the minimum requirements for removal of scholastic probation and will be placed on scholastic suspension. 

Scholastic Suspension

A student is automatically placed on scholastic suspension by the university for failure to meet the terms of scholastic probation. Undergraduate students receive notice of scholastic suspension on their grade report sheets. A student who is under scholastic suspension may not enroll in, audit, or visit a class unless the student is readmitted as described below. Notice of this scholastic suspension will show on the student’s transcript. Students in a major who are placed on scholastic suspension by the university for the first time may be readmitted only by permission of the ADU. Non-degree seeking students and students with undeclared majors who are placed on suspension for the first time may be readmitted only by the permission of the Dean of Undergraduate Education. Students thus readmitted may be subject to additional probationary conditions placed upon them by their ADU.

A student who has been placed on scholastic suspension more than once or has a grade point deficiency of 30 grade points or more will be suspended from the university indefinitely and may be readmitted only by petition of the ADU to the Dean of Undergraduate Education. Students thus readmitted may be subject to additional probationary conditions placed upon them by their ADU, and/or Dean of Undergraduate Education.

A student who reenters the university after having been suspended for failure to meet the terms of probation will reenter on scholastic probation.

This is a general information publication only. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, change tuition, fees, rules, calendar, curriculum, degree programs, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the appropriate authorities so determine and may apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, between any applicant, student, or faculty member and The University of Texas System or The University of Texas at Dallas.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2002-2004 Undergraduate Catalog Volume 29, Number 1
Copyright © 2002 The University of Texas at Dallas | UTD Privacy Statement

This Undergraduate Catalog is published by The University of Texas at Dallas.

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