6-4 Undergraduate Grade Calculation(a) Grade evaluation
As a rule, the academic results are assessed by examination and regular learning achievement. The results are indicated by therating consisted of “grade point” that is calculated from the raw score (more than 60 out of 100 points is accepted for a credit) and“letter grade (S, A, B, C, or D, with D constituting a failing grade).” Courses that have been passed are indicated on transcripts andreport cards.
The letter grades, the corresponding raw score ranges and evaluation criteria are as follows.
S (90 points or higher): Fully achieves the basic goals and produces results that are highly excellent.
A (80 to 89 points): Fully achieves the basic goals.
B (70 to 79 points): Achieves the basic goals.
C (60 to 69 points): Achieves the basic goals at the minimum level.
D (Under 60 points: failing grade): Does not achieve the basic goals. Must be retaken.
In addition to the preceding criteria, evaluation criteria have been set with a guideline of limiting S grades to 15% or less of thetotal number of students evaluated (2 students or less if the total is less than 10). If an assessment cannot be made because the student
has discontinued the course without canceling the registration, a failing grade of D will be given. Some courses utilize a raw score
calculation and others utilize letter grades. Grades are determined as follows in the case of the latter.
S = 95, A = 85, B = 75, C = 65, D (failing grade) = 55(b) GPA system
According to international standards, the University has adopted the grade point average (GPA) system as an index of learningachievement, which has been widely done in the U.S. and the various countries of Asia. Under this system, the student's grades foreach course are converted to grade points (GP) through a fixed method, and then the GP is multiplied by the number of credits forthe course. The total for all courses is calculated, then that value is divided by the total number of credits for all courses taken.
The GPA system guarantees not only the "amount" of learning as indicated by the number of credits, but also the "quality" basedon the student's grades. There are three aims and effects of GPA that are considered to be important to students.
1) Further increase the motivation to learn.
It becomes easier to reflect the effort to improve learning of individual subjects in grades. If grade evaluation consists only of a5-level scale, it is difficult to reflect the amount of effort in grades. Under the GPA system, the raw scores of course tests andreports are actually reflected in the grade, so it is easier to get a clear view of the difference in effort to learn, from the difference ingrades. Accordingly, students are likely to be more motivated to improve their own performance, and participate actively in class.
In addition, students are able to get a sense not only of the credits that they earn, but also of the meaning of getting better grades.
2) Avoid failing and learn thoroughly.
If a student fails a course, the GP used in GPA calculation is 0, and the number of credits for that course is added to thedenominator in that calculation. Because of that, failing a course does significant damage to the student's final GPA.
It is important to be sure to avoid failing courses under the GPA system. Accordingly, it is important to avoid taking more courses
than necessary and creating an excessive burden, but rather to take courses in a planned and orderly fashion.
3) Understand the positioning of her own performance and increase the transparency of each type of screening criteria.
Students can check their GP for courses each semester as well as their GPA, and see the position of their performance relative toother students at the University. Further, in the future, students' GPAs will be used in things such as the criteria for awarding
scholarships, prerequisites for certain courses, and benchmark indices for a variety of screenings within the University, so it will
be easier for students to set concrete goals related to the grades they should aim for.
In addition, it will make it possible to respond when the student's GPA is requested for employment, overseas study,advancement to higher degree programs, and other things outside the University.
(c) GPA calculation method
The GPA is obtained by converting the grade for each course (the raw score SS, out of 100 possible points) to GP using thecalculation method indicated in 1), then multiplying the GP by the number of credits for the applicable course using the calculation
method indicated in 2). The combined total of the resulting values for all courses taken is then calculated and divided by the
combined total number of credits for all courses taken.
1) GP = (SS - 55) / 10 However, if GP < 0.5, GP = 0.0.
SS is the raw score out of 100 possible points.
2) GPA = (Combined total of [GP of the course taken x No. of credits for that course]) / Total number of credits for courses taken
The combined total number of credits for courses taken also includes the number of credits for failed courses (GP = 0).

(d) Combined use of two GPA indices (f-general GPA and f-strict GPA)
To fully utilize the functional properties of the GPA, and to maintain compatibility with other domestic and overseas universities,
the University utilizes both the f-strict GPA and f-general GPA indices (f- = functional).
We have verified that f-strict GPA is, in practice, fully compatible with the GPA currently used at many universities. However, inthe case of the top grade zone, many universities, particularly in the U.S. and Japan, utilize a maximum GP(A) of 4.0, and aminimum passing GP(A) of 1.0, while f-strict GP(A) utilizes a maximum of 4.5 and a minimum of 0.5. Accordingly, the University
has prioritized compatibility with other organizations, and utilizes an f-general GPA in which an f-strict GP of 4.0 or higher (95points or higher out of 100) is set at a uniform 4.0, and 0.5 to 1.0 is set at a uniform 1.0.
On the other hand, when the GPA is used for a variety of purposes within the University, f-strict GP(A) (which accurately reflects
the original grade for the entire grade range) is used.
<Example>
Example of functional GPA calculation○ The method of calculating the GP and the average for 5 courses and 17 credits

Course name

No. of credits

Grade points

LG

f-strict GP

f-strict GPx
No. of credits

f-general GP

f-general GPx
No. of credits

Introduction toGeography

284

A

2.90

5.80

2.90

5.80

Earth Science

298

S

4.30

8.60

4.00

8.00Exercises inEarth Science

450

D

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Experiments inEarth Science

166

C

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

Graduation
Research870

B

1.50

12.00

1.50

12.00

Total

1727.50

26.90

The GP in the fifth and seventh columns is calculated using the following formula. A maximum of 100 grade points is possible,
but in some courses values after the decimal point can be used for evaluation.
GP = (Grade points - 55)/10 (However, if GP < 0.5, then GP = 0.0.)
Finally, because GP = Σ (GP x No. of credits for the relevant courses)/Total number of credits taken, in the example above weget the following.
f-strict GPA = 27.50/17=1.617
f-general GPA = 26.90/17 = 1.582(e) Courses included in GPA calculation
All courses are included in GPA calculation, except courses taken at other universities (including overseas study) or at theUniversity that are evaluated as transfer credits or utilize a pass/fail system, rather than a letter grade or raw score.
(f) GPA calculation date
GPA is calculated based on the grades that have been finalized by the GPA calculation base date. As a rule, the calculation basedate is September 15 for the first (spring) semester and March 20 for the second (fall) semester. The courses calculated in the first(spring) semester constitute all courses taken from since the time of enrollment, including courses taken in the first (spring) semester,
the first quarter, and the second quarter of the applicable academic year. The courses calculated in the second (fall) semester
constitute all courses taken from since the time of enrollment, including courses taken in the second (fall) semester, the third quarter,
the fourth quarter, and the entire year of the applicable academic year.
(g) Listing on transcripts and report cards
Transcripts and reports cards include both the f-strict GP(A) and the f-general GP(A), as well as an explanation of the purpose.
In addition, an explanation of the GPA calculation method and the number of credits that were not approved are also included, andthe consistency between the grades and the GPA is clarified.