UCSB Engineering

Grade Point Averages

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a way of measuring a student's overall performance in letter graded classes.

Every letter grade is assigned a specific number of grade points per unit of course work:

Letter Grade	Grade Points/ Unit
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

The number of grade points assigned for any given class is determined by multiplying the number of GPA units by the number of grade points per unit based upon the grade received in the class.

GPA Units x Grade Points/Unit = Grade points

For example, if a student receives a B- in a 4.0 unit class the grade points earned would be:

4.0 x 2.7 = 10.8

The student's GPA is then detemined by adding up all of the grade points earned and dividing by the total number of GPA units.

Total Grade Points/Total GPA Units = GPA

For Example:

Course	Grade	Units Attempted	Units Completed	GPA Units	Grade Points
CHEM 1A	A	3.0	3.0	3.0	12.00
CHEM 1AL	B+	1.0	1.0	1.0	3.30
HIST 49	P	4.0	4.0	0.0	0.00
MATH 3A	F	4.0	0.0	4.0	0.00
MATH 3H	A	1.0	1.0	1.0	4.00
	Total	13.0	9.0	9.0	19.3

The Grade Point Average for the quarter above would be:

19.3/9 = 2.13

Please note that GPA units and the units completed are not always the same. Students do not receive units towards graduation in courses in which an "F" is received. Since these courses are included as part of the GPA, the units attempted in these courses are counted as part of the GPA Units. Take a look at MATH 3A in the example quarter above to see how an "F" affects the units completed and GPA units.

A GPA can be determined for any selection of classes. Four of the most common GPA's are:

1. Quarter GPA - includes all letter graded course work attempted during a given quarter.
2. Cumulative GPA - includes all letter graded course work attempted.
3. Major GPA - includes all letter graded course work required or acceptable for the student's major.
4. Upper Division Major GPA - includes all letter graded course work required or acceptable for use toward the student's upper division major requirements.

 

Grade Point Balance

A grade point balance refers to the number of grade points above or below a target GPA. If the balance is negative, it is often refered to as a Grade Point Deficit.

The easiest way to determine your grade point balance is to use the instructions in the Grade Point Averages section to determine your Total GPA Units and Total Grade Points. Then use the following equation:

Total Grade Points - (Total GPA Units x Target GPA) = Grade Point Balance

At UCSB, the target GPA used is usually 2.0, but the grade point balance can be helpful in determining the grades needed to attain other GPA targets. For example, Computer Science requires that a student attain a 2.75 GPA in their Preparation for the Major courses to advance to full major standing. The above equation can be used with a Target GPA of 2.75 to determine the grade point balance in relation to the 2.75 GPA.