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FD Grades

The letter grade FD (fail, academic discipline) is given by the chair of the department when a student has committed academic dishonesty (see S10.01 Student Academic Integrity Policy). The grade will remain on a student’s transcript until two years following graduation at which time it will convert to F.

N Grades

Letter grade N (incomplete) is given when a student has enrolled for a course, but did not write the final examination or otherwise failed to complete the course work, and did not withdraw before the deadline date. An N is considered an F for purposes of scholastic standing.

To achieve a different evaluation, and subject to the repeat policy, a student who receives a grade of N must normally repeat the course for credit.

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Students in undergraduate programs may designate standard letter grade elective courses with a Pass/Credit/No Credit (P/CR/NC) grade instead of a standard letter grade over the pilot period (Spring 2021 – Summer 2023). This grade will be recorded on a student’s Official Transcript of Academic Record in lieu of their standard letter grade in the course.

Courses that use P/CR/NC grades may not be used to meet the program requirements of any major, joint major, honours, joint honours, minor, double minor, extended minor program, certificate, or any combination thereof. A program of study may allow, on a restrictive basis, and with the approval of the Chair, the utilization of a P/CR/NC grading system for certain program-specific requirements. If such an allowance is made, it shall be noted in the Academic Progress Report (APR).

No more than 12 units with P/CR/NC grades may be applied towards a degree program over the pilot period. Within a given term, no more than eight units (maximum two courses) may be graded P/CR/NC for students enrolled in nine or more units and no more than four units (maximum one course) may be graded P/CR/NC for students enrolled in less than nine units.

Students must choose this grading system no later than the last day to drop classes with a WD notation.

A student cannot change from a standard letter grade to a P/CR/NC grade, or vice-versa, after the deadline to opt into the P/CR/NC grading system has passed.

A P (Pass) grade will satisfy prerequisite requirements, when no minimum letter grade is required. For courses requiring a prerequisite higher than a grade of C-, that department may, at the discretion of the Chair, accept a P or CR grade in place of a standard letter grade. In such cases where the department or student does not consent, the student may need to:

• take the course again under its normal standard letter grade (credit shall be granted only once for the course under these circumstances),
• take another comparable course in its place, or
• not enroll in that program of study.

Should an undeclared student become declared, or a declared student change their program of study, and a course previously taken as an elective become a program requirement the student may need to:

• take the course again under its normal standard letter grade (credit shall be granted only once for the course under these circumstances),
• take another comparable course in its place, or
• not enroll in that program of study.

In some cases, with consent of the Chair, a new program of study may accept a P or CR grade in place of a standard letter grade.

In exceptional circumstances, with the consent of the student and the permission of the Dean and the Registrar, the P or CR grade may be converted back to the originally-assigned standard letter grade.

Only standard letter grade courses will be used to meet the grade point average (GPA) requirements for awards and scholarships, including honour roll designations and entrance scholarship renewals; Pass/Credit/No Credit grades will not be used toward these requirements. Students are encouraged to visit the Student Financial Assistance and Awards Office if they have concerns with the financial assistance or awards implications of taking a course with Pass/Credit/No Credit grade.

Students are encouraged to seek guidance from an academic advisor in advance of making decisions about their options.

P Grades

The designation P (pass) will be given when a student successfully completes a course graded on a pass (P) or withdrawn (W) basis. This grade has no numerical equivalent and does not affect the term grade point average or the cumulative GPA.

W Grades

The designation W (withdrawn) will be given when a student is withdrawn after the course drop period for a course graded on a pass (P) or withdrawn (W) basis. The grade of W has no numerical equivalent and does not affect either the term grade point average or the cumulative grade point average.

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P Grades

The designation P (pass) will be given when a student successfully completes a course graded on a pass (P) or withdrawn (W) basis. This grade has no numerical equivalent and does not affect the term grade point average or the cumulative GPA.

W Grades

The designation W (withdrawn) will be given when a student is withdrawn after the course drop period for a course graded on a pass (P) or withdrawn (W) basis. The grade of W has no numerical equivalent and does not affect either the term grade point average or the cumulative grade point average.

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AE Grades

Aegrotat standing (AE) may be awarded in an incomplete course on medical or compassionate grounds by the registrar acting on the recommendation of the instructor or department chair. Written evidence must substantiate such a request, given that the course requirements have been substantially fulfilled. This evidence normally must be received by the registrar or department within 96 hours of a scheduled final exam or within 96 hours of the last day of term lectures for which such standing is requested. Courses for which aegrotat standing is awarded are not included in the GPA calculation.

AU Notation

Audit is an AU notation that is recorded when a student has approval from the department not to complete the course for credit. The last day to audit a course is the end of week one of the term. Audited courses will not count toward degree requirements.

CC Grades

Course Challenge Completed is a grade for a student who has been enrolled for a course challenge, subject to an assessment equivalent to the course’s final exam and an interview which may include an oral and/or practical exam, all to be arranged and approved by the department chair. Departments may hold course challenge exams at any time after the term’s start. A performance equivalent to a C grade or higher is required for a successful course challenge.

The department concerned must submit a report to the registrar on or before the last day for regular grades submission for that term indicating the final disposition for the course challenge in the term. There is no provision for extension or deferral. Results will be recorded by departments as successful, unsuccessful or unattempted. Successful results will appear on transcripts and statements of standing with the entry CC in the grade column and with units shown. The CC grade has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the grade point average. The grade of CC may not be applied in any way toward application for scholarships, bursaries or loans.

CF Grades

The Challenge Failed grade of CF is given for unsuccessful course challenge when a student performs unsatisfactorily and fails a course challenge. The grade has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the calculation of the grade point average.

CN Grades

The Challenge Not Completed grade of CN is given for unattempted course challenge when a student is enrolled for a course challenge but never attended the course and did not withdraw before the deadline date. The grade has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the calculation of grade point average.

CR Grades

The Credit Granted notation is to recognize course work completed at another institution that is also being granted credit towards a ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV degree program. The CR grade, which has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the grade point average calculation, may only be assigned by the Office of the Registrar and is typically used for dual degree programs.

FX Grades

The Formal Exchange/Dual Degree grade of FX is assigned for formal exchange and dual degree courses only. The grade has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the GPA calculation.

WD Notation

The Withdrawal notation of WD identifies a course freely dropped by the student. The notation WD is not a grade and does not affect the grade point average. Different time periods are in effect for intersession and summer session. For term specific dates, refer to www.sfu.ca/students/deadlines.

WE Notations

The notation Withdrawal Under Extenuating Circumstances (WE) is not a grade and does not affect the grade point average.

At the start of the ninth week to the last day of classes a course(s) may be dropped only in extenuating circumstances. Different dates are in effect for intersession and summer session. For term specific dates, refer to www.sfu.ca/students/deadlines.

If approved, there will be a WE notation on the student’s academic record for specific courses dropped. Please submit applications to Student Services. Requests arising after the last day of classes, or requests relating to courses completed in a previous term, are referred to as ‘retroactive’ and follow the same procedures as above but may take longer to adjudicate.

Note: The university has the sole discretion to approve WE applications. Normally, applications will be denied for students who apply more than once for the same reason, apply for a retroactive WE more than five years from the date of application or have an academic dishonesty incident report filed for the course. Extenuating circumstances are defined as unusual circumstances beyond the student’s control which make it impossible for the student to complete the course. If a course drop is being considered after the last day of classes, it is recommended that students seek advice from Academic Advising and Student Success or their department advisor.

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DE Grades

A deferred grade is a temporary grade assigned at the end of the term for incomplete course work. A deferred grade will revert to a letter grade or notation. The DE notation can be issued in two circumstances.

• A student must request a DE within 24 hours after the final examination date or final course work is submitted on the basis of documented medical or compassionate grounds. Within four days the student must also submit a physician’s certificate or other document substantiating the request for deferral. Failure to submit supporting documents may result in an F grade.
• The course instructor decides to defer submitting a final grade pending completion of further work by a student or students.

All unchanged DE notations will be converted automatically to N after the end of the first week in the following term. In exceptional cases, an extension may be granted by the instructor and must be approved by the department chair and submitted in writing to the Office of the Registrar with a final deferral date. Normally, the maximum extension allowed is the end of the term following the original deferral.

GN Notation

The Grade Not Reported notation may be used if circumstances beyond the instructor’s or university’s control make it impossible for grades to be assigned for the entire class. The notation has no numerical equivalent and does not affect either the term grade point average or cumulative grade point average. The dean of the faculty responsible advises the registrar, in writing, that the notation GN is required for a course until grades can be submitted. GN is a temporary grade that will revert to a letter grade or notation.

IP Grades

In Progress (IP) is a notation assigned i) in the first term of a two term thesis course, ii) in the first term(s) of a multi-term course or iii) to Education 404, (course work semester). The notation has no numerical equivalent and is not included in the grade point average.

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