MSE SP20 PA/NP grading option for graduate students
Statement from MSE GSC
Dear MSE Graduate Students,
In order to relieve the stress associated with the current public health emergency we (University, College, Department) are offering you the option to choose to switch any letter graded course to pass/no-pass. The deadline to choose this option is April 17. The GSC has created a policy to provide maximal flexibility and simplification for you regarding the PA/NP option. To keep things simple, the degree requirements remain unchanged regarding GPA and credit hours in letter graded courses, however students as always can petition the GSC for exceptions and the GSC will review the petitions on a case by case basis. Similarly, the requirements to qualify for the candidacy exam remain unchanged.
The following temporary MSE GSC policy applies for Spring 2020 semester only:
- By April 17 you may change any course from graded to PA/NP option [form to request PA/NP grading option]
- If you receive an NP in a Core course, you will be required to take a qualifying exam for that course to proceed to Candidacy.
- Courses taken under the PA/NP option do not count toward the student’s cumulative GPA
- Instead of PA/NP, with the instructors’ permission you may seek an “Incomplete” in a given course. You would then have until July 10, 2020 to meet course requirements in order to receive a grade *
Sincerely,
Roberto C. Myers
Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, MSE
Professor of Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, and Physics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request the PA/NP option for a course?
By April 17 please complete this form to request the PA/NP grading option for a SP20 course. You'll be asked for the course dept & course number, class number, and your student ID number. Upon submission the form will go to Mark Cooper who will collect the responses and forward them to the Grad School for processing. A copy of the request will be sent to the email provided on the form. A student must opt in to be evaluated under the PA/NP grading option.
How do I receive a letter grade for my course?
Do nothing. By default any letter-graded (A, B, C, D, E) course will receive a letter grade at the end of SP20. A student must opt in to be evaluated under the PA/NP grading option. Please use the form at the link above to opt in.
What is the minimum grade required to receive a "Pass"?
The Graduate School has set the minimum grade needed to receive a "PA" (Pass) in SP20 to be C- or greater.
I'm enrolled in MSE 6737 (Core course). How will the PA/NP be applied with regard to Candidacy?
A student receiving a "PA" (Pass) grade in 6737 will be considered to have satisfactorily completed this Core course. A grade of "NP" (Non-Pass) in 6737 will require the student to take a Qualifying Exam for 6737 in order to proceed to Candidacy.
Under normal circumstances any grade below a B in 6737 would require a student to take a Qualifier Exam for the course in order to proceed to Candidacy. In SP20 a "PA"--which ranges from C- to A--will qualify the student to proceed to Candidacy. Note, though, that during a Candidacy Exam students will be expected to have a strong command of the content of 6737. If a student feels s/he may not have a "B level" understanding of the 6737 subject matter the student is encouraged to put in extra time studying the content of 6737 before attempting Candidacy.
I'm enrolled in a graded grad course to meet my elective requirement, how will the PA/NP be applied?
Courses in which a grade of "PA" (Pass) is received will be viewed as a successfully completed graded grad course and applied toward fulfillment of the appropriate degree requirements. For example, a student who receives a grade of PA in MSE 6715 for SP20 will have those credits counted toward the in-MSE 6000+ elective requirement.
How will my GPA be affected by a grade of PA or NP?
Grades of PA or NP will not be used toward the calculation of the student's cumulative GPA.
Do I have the option to revert to letter grading after selecting the PA/NP option?
No, once the PA/NP option is selected for a course the resulting grade--PA or NP--will be assigned for that course on the student's transcript.
* How do I request an "Incomplete" for a SP20 course?
Students may, at the discretion of a course instructor, request an "Incomplete" grade for a SP20 course. The student will have until July 10, 2020 to complete any requirements for the course. If the student does not complete the course requirements by July 10, a default grade will post to the student's transcript. This default grade would be that which would be awarded based on coursework completed as of the end of Spring Semester (4/24/20).
- A student must receive instructor permission to receive an Incomplete for an SP20 course. There is no university form to complete but the student must communicate with, and receive approval from, his/her course instructor to pursue the Incomplete option. The student would be wise to clarify with the instructor exactly what must be completed in order to receive a grade for the course.
- The deadline to request PA/NP is 4/17; a student cannot pursue an Incomplete and then sometime after 4/17 request to be graded PA/NP.
University grading policy changes for Spring 2020
From the Office of Academic Affairs
In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, most Ohio State students will have the option to obtain a Pass/No Pass grade for courses they are taking in the Spring 2020 semester. These changes will not apply to subsequent terms. [more]
Includes PA/NP option, Incomplete option, and withdraw options.
College of Engineering policy
From Dean Williams, 3/27/20
College of Engineering Policy on Pass/No-Pass (PA/NP) grading for SP2020:
- Consistent with the university resolution, the PA/NP option is extended to all major and minor courses (i.e. all degree requirements) for undergraduate and graduate programs in COE and KSA.
- Students will have until April 17 to make this choice known to their academic advisor.
- [Undergraduates] Admission to major decisions will still be made based on letter grades earned in accordance with policies already in place. Students may wish to weigh that when considering P/NP.
- To further mediate the impact of this unusual situation the College of Engineering emphasizes that the “I” (incomplete) may be an appropriate option to allow extra time for completing work, and the completion deadline for Sp2020 has been extended from the 6th Friday of Summer Term to the 10th Friday.