Letter Grade

Grade point

Description

Definition

A+

(90-100)

4.0

Excellent

Student displays a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and materials treated in the course, fluency in communicating that knowledge, and originality and independence in applying material and principles. The work provides evidence of a significant awareness of and ability to interact with related scholarly literature that goes beyond the requirements of the course. The work demonstrates proficiency in matters of grammar, spelling, sentence and paragraph structure.

A

(85-89)

4.0

A-

(80-84)

3.7

B+

(77-79)

3.3

Good

Work indicates a thorough grasp of the goals for this assignment within the context of the course. The work exhibits few mechanical and stylistic errors and demonstrates a reasonable organization and development of ideas. Ideas are clearly and logically expressed and are well supported by an obvious awareness of the relevant literature with appropriate documentation of all sources.

B

(73-76)

3.0

B-

(70-72)

2.7

C+

(67-69)

2.3

Acceptable

While work displays a sufficient and basic understanding of the principles and materials treated in the course the expression of that understanding is impeded by any of the following: lack of conceptual organization, lack of development and flow of ideas, inadequate use of and interaction with relevant scholarly literature, inadequate documentation of sources, significant inaccuracies and errors regarding grammar and spelling, significant mechanical and stylistic errors.  Performance at this level meets graduation requirements.

C

(63-66)

2.0

C-

(60-62)

1.7

Poor

Work reveals a lack of understanding or serious misunderstanding of the principles and materials treated in the course.  The work lacks a clearly defined thesis and/or fails to support the thesis with appropriate research.  The development and flow of ideas throughout the paper are significantly below standard.  Sources are not cited appropriately and the work relies mainly on summaries and paraphrases of other people’s work.  The work contains poor sentence structure and punctuation and generally suffers from a lack of attention to matters of grammar and style.  The work is inappropriately shorter or longer than the required length.  While a grade of D is not a failure in a particular course.  (i.e., the professor does not see the need for the student to repeat the course), consistent work at this level would prohibit the student from graduation.

D+

(57-59)

1.3

Poor

Work reveals a lack of understanding or serious misunderstanding of the principles and materials treated in the course.  The work lacks a clearly defined thesis and/or fails to support the thesis with appropriate research.  The development and flow of ideas throughout the paper are significantly below standard.  Sources are not cited appropriately and the work relies mainly on summaries and paraphrases of other people’s work.  The work contains poor sentence structure and punctuation and generally suffers from a lack of attention to matters of grammar and style.  The work is inappropriately shorter or longer than the required length.  While a grade of D is not a failure in a particular course.  (i.e., the professor does not see the need for the student to repeat the course), consistent work at this level would prohibit the student from graduation.

D

(53-56)

1.0

D-

(50-52)

0.7

F

(0-49)

0

Failure

Student displays inadequate or fragmentary knowledge of the principles and materials treated in the course. The student may have failed to complete the course requirements. The work may contain plagiarized materials.