Policies and Guidelines Graduate
Grades and Grading
The Faculty of Information follows the University of Toronto Assessment and Grading Practices Policy. This document details the Faculty’s policy on course procedures, examinations, and other assessments in courses. Also covered: the grade review and approval process; exceptional circumstances and academic appeals; conflicts of interest; and procedures in the event of disruptions to the undergraduate academic program.
The Faculty also adheres to the following grade interpretation guideline for graduate level work:
Use this GPA calculator to unofficially crunch your numbers.
The Faculty of Information follows the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy. A student whose academic performance is considered unsatisfactory may at any time, on the recommendation of the Faculty of Information and with SGS approval, have their registration terminated.
The Faculty also adheres to the following grade interpretation guideline for graduate level work: Graduate Grade Interpretation Guidelines.
| Letter Grade | Numerical Grade |
|---|---|
| A+ | 90-100% |
| A | 85-89% |
| A- | 80-84% |
| B+ | 77-79% |
| B | 73-76% |
| B- | 70-72% |
| FZ (Fail) | 0-69% |
The following non-grade symbols may appear on grade reports and transcripts instead of course marks and /or equivalent letter grades. They have no grade point or term sessional average values:
- CR / NCR: Credit / No Credit. Used to report results for academic requirements such as Co-op or courses taken abroad in partner institutions. The grades CR and NCR have no numerical equivalence and are not included in the calculation of Sessional and Cumulative Grade Point Averages.
- GWR: Grade withheld pending review under the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters.
- IPR: (Course) in progress.
- NGA: No grade available.
- SDF: Standing deferred on the basis of incomplete course work because of medical or similar reasons (to be replaced by a regular mark before the expiry of a specified extension period).
- WDR: Granted privilege of late withdrawal without academic penalty from a course due to circumstances beyond the student’s control.
The following non-grade statements may appear on grade reports and transcripts in conjunction with the course mark and letter grade:
- EXT: Extra course. Not for degree credit; course has no effect on status or grade point average.
Course Failures
Failed required courses must be repeated.
Failed elective courses may be repeated, or another course may be taken to meet degree requirements instead.
Only failed courses may be repeated. Students who are repeating courses may not use assignments previously submitted. No student is permitted to repeat a course without attending its classes again.
Failed courses are shown on transcripts. The grade of the failed course will contribute a grade of 0 to your overall GPA.
Students who were negatively impacted by extenuating circumstances during the term in which the FZ or NCR grade was earned are eligible to petition (to the Faculty’s Committee on Standing) or appeal (to the Academic Appeals Committee). The timeframe within which students may petition to the Committee on Standing is stated in the Academic Dates and Deadlines each year. The timeframe within which students may appeal their grade is 8 weeks from the time they received the ruling against which they wish to appeal. For details, please review the Academic Petitions & Appeals section.
Students who fail a course should always book an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss their circumstances, and available supports and resources.
Academic Standing
- Clear Academic Standing: Students are considered to be in good/clear academic standing if they pass (i.e., receive a grade of at least B- or CR in) all courses in a term.
- Academic Warning – 1 FZ: Students who earn a grade of FZ or NCR in one course must contact an academic advisor in order to review their progress in the program, and to complete an Individual Academic Action Plan (IAAP). The student and advisor will discuss appropriate resources and supports offered by the Faculty and the University. Once the plan is enacted, students on “academic warning” are eligible to continue with subsequent course enrolment and registrations.
- Academic Probation I – 2 FZs: Students who earn a grade of FZ or NCR in two courses (total, not necessarily in a single term) are no longer considered to be making satisfactory academic progress in the program. They must meet with the Faculty of Information Assistant Dean and Associate Dean, Academic. After this meeting, the student’s academic progress case may be brought forward to the Committee on Standing for review. The possible outcomes of this academic progress review include (but are not limited to):
- The student may be permitted to continue in the program as planned, following a signed Individual Academic Action Plan. The Associate Dean, Academic will monitor the student’s progress.
- The student’s case may be presented to the Committee on Standing to determine whether a recommendation to terminate the student’s registration will be made to the Dean of the Faculty of Information.
- Academic Probation II – 3 or more FZs: Students who earn a grade of FZ or NCR in three or more courses (total, not necessarily in a single term) will have their academic progress reviewed by the Committee on Standing. Students are encouraged to provide a statement and supporting documents that address any extenuating circumstances that might have negatively impacted their academic performance during the term(s) in which the FZ grades were earned. Students should contact an academic advisor to discuss this review process before submitting any statement to the Committee on Standing. The possible outcomes of this academic progress review by Committee on Standing include (but are not limited to):
- The student may be permitted to continue in the program as planned, following a signed Individual Academic Action Plan. The Associate Dean, Academic will monitor the student’s progress. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the Committee may also strongly recommend that the student limit the number of courses in which they are enrolled per term until further notice.
- The Committee on Standing may recommend to the Dean of the Faculty of Information that the student’s registration be terminated.