Understanding GPA at UC Davis
At UC Davis, your GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numeric snapshot of your academic performance. It’s calculated based on the grades you earn in your courses and the number of units those courses are worth. The GPA system here is pretty straightforward and follows the University of California standard.
There are two main types of GPA to keep an eye on:
- Quarter GPA: Calculated from the classes you took in one quarter.
- Cumulative GPA: Based on all your UC Davis coursework over time.
Your GPA is essential for things like good academic standing, graduation eligibility, honors, and even scholarship considerations.
UC Davis Grade Scale
Here’s the standard GPA scale used by UC Davis:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Grades like P (Pass) and NP (No Pass) are not factored into your GPA, though they do impact unit totals.
How GPA is Calculated
Your GPA is calculated using this formula:
GPA = (Total Grade Points) ÷ (Total Graded Units)
Here’s how it works:
- Multiply the grade points for each class by the number of units the class is worth.
- Add up all those grade points.
- Divide by the total number of graded (not P/NP) units you’ve taken.
Let’s say you took three classes:
- A in a 4-unit class = 4.0 × 4 = 16 points
- B+ in a 3-unit class = 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 points
- B in a 2-unit class = 3.0 × 2 = 6.0 points
Total grade points = 31.9
Total units = 9
GPA = 31.9 ÷ 9 = 3.54
Special Grading Options
- Pass/No Pass (P/NP): You can opt for this in select courses, but there are limits if you’re a major or pre-major. These grades don’t affect your GPA.
- Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U): Mostly used in graduate courses, with S being equivalent to a B− or better.
- Incomplete (I): Doesn’t count in GPA until the course is completed.
- Repeated Courses: If you repeat a class in which you earned a D+ or lower, only the most recent grade counts toward your GPA (up to 16 units).
Academic Standards and Probation
To stay in good academic standing:
- You must have at least a 2.0 GPA in both your quarter and cumulative records.
- Falling below that places you on academic probation, and continued low performance may lead to dismissal.
Departmental GPA Policies
Some departments at UC Davis have stricter grading rules. For example:
| College/Department | Notes |
|---|---|
| College of Engineering | Requires minimum grades in certain prerequisite courses to advance |
| College of Biological Sciences | May have GPA thresholds for declaring or continuing in a major |
| Graduate Studies | Typically require a 3.0 minimum GPA for good standing |
Always check with your specific major’s advising office for the most up-to-date requirements.