Agreement on the Grading System of the United Graduate School of AgriculturalSciences, Tottori University
Approved at the 73th General Academic Staff Meetingon 2/13, 2015(Purpose)
1. This agreement shall stipulate the requirements for grading at the United Graduate
School of Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS), Tottori University.
(Guidelines for Grading)
2. Student academic performance shall be evaluated based on the following guidelines:
Grading should be conducted based on a five-point scale of A, B, C, D, and F. Course
credits shall be given to those students who have passed the course, that is, those
who have received a grade of A, B, C, or D. Credits shall not be given to thosestudents who have received an F grade.
a. For common subjects in the Graduate School, except for Academic Communicationof Science, students shall be evaluated based on the results of either paper
examinations or papers.
b. For paper examinations, the five-point scale shall correspond to the following grade
points:
A: 90 or higher B: 80 to 89 C: 70 to 79 D: 60 to 69
F: 59 or lowerc. For papers, the five-point scale shall be basically based on the following criteria:GradeCriteria
The content of the paper sufficiently meets the instructor’s expectations
Aand shows outstanding theoretical development or new findings on thetheme.
B
The content of the paper sufficiently meets the instructor’s expectations.
The content of the paper almost meets the instructor’s expectations orC
while it does not sufficiently meet the instructor’s expectations, it showsthat some effort was made.
While the content of the paper does not sufficiently meet the instructor’sDexpectations, it contains correct answers.
F
The content of the paper does not meet the instructor’s expectations at all.
d. Evaluations by criteria other than paper examinations or papers (attitude in class,attendance, etc.) can be added in the form of additional points at the instructor’s
discretion. However, an “A” grade can be given only when the above b and c criteria
are met.

e. The Academic Communication of Science course shall be graded on a Passed/Not
Passed basis with due consideration for attendance.
f. For subjects in each major category, since main and assistant advisors areresponsible for the enhancement of the research and teaching abilities of students,
evaluations shall be made by each advisor at his/her discretion and on a Passed/Not
Passed basis.
The letter grades for Passed/Not Passed shall be S and F, where S represents
Passed and F represents Not Passed.
(Grade Report)
3. Instructors in charge of grading shall report grading results via pre-determined
procedures by the designated date in each term.
(Grade Appeals)
4. After receiving the course grade, if the student finds that either of the following
applies to his/her grade, he/she can lodge an appeal of the instructor’s decision bysubmitting a Request for Grade Confirmation form (see separate sheet) within thedesignated period:a. In cases where it is obvious that the instructor made a mistake, such as anincorrect grade entry.
b. In cases where in light of the existing grading method and criteria, the given grade
is admittedly questionable.
(Response to Appeals)
5. The Vice Dean of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences shall be
responsible for responding to student appeals (hereinafter referred to as the“Responsible Person”) and the secretariat of each member university (AcademicAffairs Section of the UGSAS at Tottori University, Academic Affairs Group of theFaculty of Life and Environmental Science at Shimane University, General Affairs
Section of the Faculty of Agriculture at Yamaguchi University) shall serve as contact
points to receive appeals. Students are not allowed to make an appeal directly to theirinstructors.
(2) The Responsible Person shall confirm the content of the appeal, have an interview
with the student and the instructor in charge of grading, discuss and coordinate thematter with the committee members of each member university, and promptly ask
the instructor in charge to make a final decision on the grade. However, if theResponsible Person decides that the appeal does not fall under the appealable cases
stipulated in the section 4 above, he/she shall inform the student of the decision.
(3) When the instructor in charge of grading is asked to make a final decision on thegrade by the Responsible Person, he/she shall do so within one week.

(4) The Responsible Person shall then confirm the decision of the instructor in charge ofgrading, interview him/her as needed for adjustment, and inform the student of thefinal decision within two weeks following the date when the appeal was lodged.
When it is difficult to make an adjustment with the instructor in charge of grading,the Dean of UGSAS shall make the final decision.
(Grade Alterations)6. When grade alterations are required due to appeals or any other exceptional
circumstances, the instructor in charge of grading shall complete the required
procedures at the Academic Affairs Section of UGSAS at Tottori University.
(Other)7. For matters necessary for grading other than those stipulated herein, the Meeting ofBoard of Representatives and the General Academic Staff Meeting shall deliberateand decide on them.
Supplementary Note
This Agreement will take effect on 2/13, 2015.