Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Grading

Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) Grading

Some courses are designated as Satisfactory/Fail. An "S" grade is not figured into a student’s grade point average because it has no quality points associated with it, but an "F" grade carries zero quality points and is included in the GPA calculations for credit-based courses (but not for "R" credit courses).

Specific courses are designated as S/F in the Schedule of Classes and the ISU Catalog. Courses offered as Satisfactory/Fail may not be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis.

Pass/Not Pass (P/NP) Grading

Students may elect to broaden their educational experience by taking courses outside their major area of study. For this reason, they may seek not to have a grade for such courses, and "pass/not pass" grading may be of interest to them.

Instructors do not know that students are taking a course P/NP unless informed by the students. When grades are turned in, the instructor gives a letter grade. All grades except "F" are recorded as "pass," and an "F" converts to "not pass." Grades of "P" or "NP" do not affect the cumulative grade point average, but students receive credit for the "P" grade.

Students who wish to exercise this option should be certain that they are not attempting to use such courses in a degree program that demands grades for the courses. Students must have earned 40 semester credits and not be on temporary enrollment to register for a class under the P/NP system.

Students should also check to be certain that they do not adversely affect satisfactory progress requirements for special situations like veterans’ or athletic eligibility. Courses offered on a Satisfactory/Fail basis may not be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis. Also, courses used for a minor cannot be taken Pass/Not Pass. Only 9 credits may be taken P/NP, and the courses must be electives.

The student may add a course on a regular, graded basis through the Web registration system and then declare the course as a P/NP course by obtaining the adviser's signature in the approval section of the Schedule Change or Restriction Waiver (Add/Drop) form. The change must then be processed in the college classification/student services office.

Note: In the COE, P/NP courses DO NOT apply to degree requirements.