Exams and Grading

EXAM SCHEDULE

Fall 2009 Exam Schedule - Will be posted here by the end of September 2009.

Rescheduling of an exam without financial penalty may be given if:

• a student has an exam conflict with another RMC exam
• a student has more than two exams scheduled on one day
• a student has a scheduling conflict with another post-secondary institution
• a student has an illness with notification given prior to the examination and a doctor’s note indicating that the student was unable to attend on the scheduled day
• Any other approved request for rescheduling an exam requires payment of a re-scheduling fee.

Tests and Examinations

Mid–semester tests are scheduled by the course instructor as outlined in the course syllabus. Missed tests without prior rescheduling arrangements confirmed with the course instructor will receive 0%. Final examinations, posted by the Registrar early each semester, must be taken as scheduled during the last week of the semester. Travel arrangements for semester–end must be made around the exam schedule. Requests for rescheduling of exams for travel arrangements will not be considered. Missed final examinations will receive 0%. Permission to reschedule an exam requires application to the Registrar in consultation with the course instructor prior to the sitting of the exam.

GRADING POLICIES

Grading System

Rocky Mountain College uses the Alberta Common Grading Scale as follows:

Grade    Grade Point 
A+             4.0
A               4.0
A–             3.7
B+             3.3
B               3.0
B–             2.7
C+             2.3
C               2.0
C–             1.7
D+             1.3
D               1.0
D–             0.7 
F                0.0

P Pass
IN Incomplete
VW Voluntary Withdrawal
AU Audit

The conversion of marks, such as percentage scores, to the Grading Scale does not follow a college–wide system. The relationship between raw scores and the Grading Scale is dependent on the nature of the course and the instructor’s assessment of the performance of the students’ work as compared to common expectations within the discipline for that level of course work and the performance of students in similar courses in other classes and years. The following provides an interpretation of each grade:

A = Excellent — superior performance showing comprehensive understanding of subject matter.
B = Good — clearly above average performance with knowledge of the subject matter generally complete.
C = Satisfactory — basic understanding of subject matter.
D = Inferior work which falls below the expectations of the course but which is of passing quality.
F = Failure to meet the minimum standards required for a passing grade.
P = Represents satisfactory work. Given only in courses specially designated for pass / fail grading.
IN = Incomplete.
VW =Voluntary withdrawal from a course before the course withdrawal deadline.
AU = Audit — No grade awarded. Indicates that a minimum of 75% of classes have been attended.

Grade Point Average

At the end of each semester, a student’s grade point average (G.P.A.) is calculated by totalling the number of grade points earned in each course and dividing by the total number of course hours taken.

Appealing a Grade

Grades for a course are determined by the classroom instructor, guided by the criteria outlined in the course syllabus. If a student has concern that a grade for an assignment, test, or final mark for a course is inaccurate, the student should first consult the course instructor. If consultation with the instructor fails to resolve the concern, the student should present a written appeal to the Academic Dean, who will consult with the course instructor. The student will be notified in writing of the decision, and if it is determined that a student’s grade should be adjusted, the student will receive a revised grade report.

Incomplete Grade

A student must apply to the Registrar and receive permission from the professor to complete course work after the end of a semester and to have an Incomplete (‘IN’) grade applied to the transcript. Work missed must be made up and the final examination taken within four weeks of the end of the semester unless further time is granted by the Academic Dean. If the course is not completed within the revised deadline, an ‘F’ grade will be given.

Academic Probation

Students registered in 9 or more hours and whose grade point average in a previous semester or in high school was below 1.75, are placed on academic probation. Limitations on academic and extracurricular activities may be applied. Students taking less than 9 hours but 6 or more hours in a year have their grade point average considered on an annual basis. Academic probation is removed when the semester G.P.A. achieved is 2.00 or above. A student remaining on academic probation for two consecutive semesters is required to take a semester off before permission is granted to register for another semester. A student may submit a written appeal to the Academic Dean requesting exemption from this policy due to extenuating circumstances.

Class Attendance

Attendance at each class session is important for learning and for the development of personal discipline. Each professor will clearly communicate attendance requirements and penalties for absences in the course syllabus. The Academic Dean reserves the right to determine whether a student who has missed more than three weeks of classes can continue the work of the semester.

Standard for Written Work

Written work is expected to follow standards set by the college. Students are encouraged to purchase the latest edition of A Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian, which gives specific guidelines for preparing papers. First year students are expected to generally adhere to the style manual. Upper level students are expected to adhere to it consistently. APA form and style in written work is required by Bachelor of Arts in Human Services programs.

Last Day to Accept Semester Assignments

All assignments for the semester must be submitted by the due dates outlined in the course syllabus. No papers, make up examinations, reading reports, or any other type of assignment will be received after noon of the last day of final examinations, except those granted an Incomplete by prior permission.

Repeating a Course

A student may repeat a course in which a failing or low grade is obtained. The transcript will record each time a course is taken and the grade given. However, only the highest mark is considered in computing the cumulative G.P.A. A course may be retaken only once.

Notification of Results

At the end of each semester, Grade Reports will be issued to students. If there are outstanding fees on a student’s account, Grade Reports will be withheld until payment is made in full.