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Briefing to Freshmen (AY15 intake) on

S/U PolicyAbdullah Al Mamun

Dept of Electrical & Computer Engineering27 October 2015

Copyright National University of Singapore 2009 227 October 2015

Outline

• Grade-Free First Semester: Overview• Effects• Advices• Examples• Conclusion• Q&A


Grade-Free First Semester: Overview

Aim: To provide supportive environment to make a

successful transition into university life To alleviate the anxiety amongst students about

grades Leverage opportunities for a holistic education

To encourage students to engage in exploratory and independent learning

Mechanism:a) Student may choose to retain the letter grade

obtained Factored into computation of CAP

b) Student may choose to exercise S/U option Not factored into computation of CAP


S/U option exercised - Grade ‘C’ or better Satisfactory - ‘S’ grade Grade worse than ‘C’ Unsatisfactory - ‘U’ grade

MC with ‘S’ grade counted towards the degree requirements but not MC with ‘U’ grade

When to exercise S/U option? Strictly within 3 days after exam result is released Option exercised can not be revoked Retrospective declaration not allowed

(F, D & D+)



S/U Quota:• Maximum for whole candidature: 32 MC

• 1st-semester: 20 MC• Any other time: 12 MC

• Module opted for S/U is counted towards the 32 MC limit

Sem1 Quota not Used A-Level (or equivalent) students cannot carry it

forward Poly students pre-allocated EE2020 (in sem 1) can

carry forward 5 MCs to Sem2 To be used in Sem2 only (where applicable, on eligible

modules)



Modules that qualify for S/U All Level 1000 modules Level 2000 module without other NUS module as

pre-requisite

Module Qualify for S/U ReasonMA1505 YES Level 1000EG2401 NO With NUS pre-requisiteHR2002 YES Without NUS pre-requisite

Module that is essential/ core/ pre-requisite to other NUS module Must be retaken if you get U grade

For example,



Retaking a ModuleS/U-able Module (option exercised): S Grade: Carry on to higher level module U Grade: Pre-req for higher level not fulfilled;

must be retaken For both: CAP computation not affected

Non S/U-able Modules: F Grade: Retake the module

Cannot carry on to higher level module CAP affected

D+/D Grade: Cannot retake Can take higher level module CAP affected



Grade PointA+/A A- B+ B B- C+ C D+ D F5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0

CAP (Cumulative Average Point)

CAP = (MC)i(GP)i

(MC)i

o If S/U not opted, lower grade point (GP) means lower CAP

o If S/U opted, module is removed from both numerator and denominator

o Effect of poor grade is eliminated

Effects

o A quick review of the grading system

Desirable Effect: Improvement in CAP


EE1001 (4MC) A‐EE2020 (5MC) B‐MA1301 (4MC) CEE1003 (4MC) C+CS1010E (4MC) F

43.244454

0.045.240.240.355.44

CAP

If S/U option is exercised for the last 3 modules,

EE1001 (4MC) A‐EE2020 (5MC) B‐MA1301 (4MC) SEE1003 (4MC) SCS1010E (4MC) U

Improvement in CAP (illustration)

It can be a false sense of satisfaction

Effects

66.344454

0.045.240.240.355.44

CAP


1. ‘U’ grade MC lost; not counted towards degree requirement An essential/core module opted for ‘U’ must be retaken Possibility of delay in graduation if you retake few core

modules

2. ‘U’ grade Pre-requisite not fulfilled Such module with ‘U’ grade must be retaken

3. On your Transcript U-grade remains in the record Appears in the transcript Even for module retaken and passed on the second attempt No effect on CAP calculation

EffectsUndesirable Effects


• Think carefully before exercising the option

Advices

• Sem1 CAP versus CAP at the end of candidature• Satisfaction with high CAP in Sem1 may eventually turn

false

• Take decision based on academic goals and self-assessment of expected performance for the full candidature• First semester CAP may be a good guide for self-

assessment

• An article from Provost’s Blog

• If S/U is exercised• Remaining modules influence the CAP• Modules from future semesters have greater influence

on CAP at the end of candidature


Grade ‘F’ Opt for S/U option

‘F’ grade carries zero grade point 0 added to the numerator of CAP formula

S/U Not opted MC is added to the denominator S/U Opted MC is not added to the denominator

Advices


Grade ‘D’ or ‘D+’ Generally advantageous to exercise S/U option

Module is not core/ pre-requisite No effect on degree requirement/ on modules of subsequent

semesters

Negative Effects: Heavier workload later

Missing MC must be made-up later Possible delay in progression

Retaking a core/ pre-requisite module when offered next

May need to read modules in special terms

Advices


Grades ‘C’ to ‘A-’ A- or B+

Keep the grade No Dean’s List in the first two semester no issue with B+

Exercise the option if you are very confident about better grades in subsequent semesters

Be mindful about the level of difficulty in higher stages Higher level modules are, in general, more difficult than

Level 1000 modules

B to C Exercise extra caution Remember - decision of S/U option is irrevocable

Advices


Next Semester…..Module MC Grade Grade_Point

EE2021 4 C 2EE2024 5 C 2GEK1549 4 C 2MA1505 4 C 2PC1222 4 C 2SAP=2.00 CAP=1.87

Module MC Grade Grade_Point

EE2021 4 C 2EE2024 5 C 2GEK1549 4 C 2MA1505 4 C 2PC1222 4 C 2SAP=2.00 CAP=2.35


CS1010E 4 F 0MA1301 4 F 0EE1001 4 C 2EE1003 4 B+ 4EE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=1.74 CAP=1.74


CS1010E 4 UMA1301 4 UEE1001 4 UEE1003 4 B+ 4EE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=3.17 CAP=3.17

Case 1: Not taking the advantage

Opt S/U for C and below


Module MC Grade Grade_PointCS1010E 4 C 2MA1301 4 C 2EE1001 4 B 3.5EE1003 4 B+ 4EE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=2.79 CAP=2.79

S/U whatever you can

S/U only those below C+


CS1010E 4 SMA1301 4 SEE1001 4 SEE1003 4 SEE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=2.5 CAP=2.5


CS1010E 4 SMA1301 4 SEE1001 4 B 3.5EE1003 4 B+ 4.0EE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=3.27 CAP=3.27

Case 2: Don’t just finish quota



CS1010E 4 SMA1301 4 SEE1001 4 B 3.5EE1003 4 B+ 4.0EE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=3.27 CAP=3.27

Next Semester…..


CS1010E 4 SMA1301 4 SEE1001 4 SEE1003 4 SEE2020 5 C+ 2.5SAP=2.5 CAP=2.5


EE2021 4 C 2EE2024 5 D 1GEK1549 4 C 2MA1505 4 C 2PC1222 4 C 2SAP=1.76 CAP=1.90


EE2021 4 C 2EE2024 5 D 1GEK1549 4 C 2MA1505 4 C 2PC1222 4 C 2SAP=1.76 CAP=2.34


Next Semester…..Module MC Grade Grade_Point

EE2021 4 C 2EE2024 5 C 2MA1505 4 D 1PC1222 4 B- 3SAP=2.00 CAP=2.56


CS1010E 4 C 2.0MA1301 4 C 2.0EE1001 4 B- 3.0EE1003 4 A- 4.5EE2020 5 B 3.5SAP=3.02 CAP=3.02


CS1010E 4 SMA1301 4 SEE1001 4 SEE1003 4 A- 4.5EE2020 5 B 3.5SAP=3.94 CAP=3.94


EE2021 4 C 2EE2024 5 C 2MA1505 4 D 1PC1222 4 B- 3SAP=2.00 CAP=2.67

Case 3: S/U for B-


• Work hard and use S/U as a security blanket• You don’t have to finish up the quota • Use only when it is advantageous

Conclusion

• Use the option carefully• Don’t be tempted for good Sem1 grade only• Think carefully about consequences• Consider the option against projected result in Sem2

• General Guideline:• F grade Opt for S/U• D to D+ generally advantageous to S/U

• Consider the implications for core/ pre-req modules

• C to B requires extra caution• B+ & A- keep the grade, i.e., don’t S/U

• Don’t be ignorant of the option• Use it to eliminate effects of poor grades


• Useful Links:

Conclusion

1. Provost’s blog (http://blog.nus.edu.sg/provost/2014/12/23/su1101-the-science-and-art-of-the-su-option/)

2. OUP page on S/U (http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/ugrad/SI_su_policies2014.html)

3. RO page on grade-free first semester and S/U (http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/edu/UG/graduation.html#SU)

4. RO S/U FAQ (https://share.nus.edu.sg/registrar/student/info/SU-FAQs.pdf)


Q& A

Briefing on S/U Policy

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Documents

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