Should any dispute or uncertainty arise in the application of the method of evaluation to determine a student’s grade in a course, or in a student’s choice of grading system when this option has been provided, the final authority to make grading decisions rests with the Dean of the appropriate Faculty/School or the Vice-President of the Marine Institute, in consultation with the course instructor and the head of the appropriate academic unit.

  

6.9.2 Descriptions of Letter Grades Which Correspond to Numeric Grades
"A" indicates excellent performance with clear evidence of:
comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter and principles treated in the course,
a high degree of originality and independence of thought,
a superior ability to organize and analyse ideas, and
an outstanding ability to communicate.
"B" indicates good performance with evidence of:
substantial knowledge of the subject matter,
a moderate degree of originality and independence of thought,
a good ability to organize and analyse ideas, and
an ability to communicate clearly and fluently.
"C" indicates satisfactory performance with evidence of:
an acceptable grasp of the subject matter,
some ability to organize and analyse ideas, and
an ability to communicate adequately.
"D" indicates minimally acceptable performance with evidence of:
rudimentary knowledge of the subject matter,
some evidence that organizational and analytical skills have been developed, but with significant weaknesses in some areas, and
a significant weakness in the ability to communicate.
"F" indicates failing performance with evidence of:
an inadequate knowledge of the subject matter,
failure to successfully complete required work,
an inability to organize and analyse ideas, and
an inability to communicate.
  

6.9.3 Good Writing
Students at all university levels should have reasonably sophisticated and effective communication skills and are expected to demonstrate proficiency in logical organization, clarity of expression and grammatical correctness. Good writing is expected of students in all courses. Upon graduation students should be capable of expressing complicated ideas clearly and concisely and should be able to develop arguments in a logical manner. When, in the judgement of the instructor, a student persistently fails to display a reasonable standard of writing, the instructor may consider this when assigning a final grade.

Good writing is characterized by the following qualities:

Content
critical insight and freshness of thought,
clear and penetrating ideas,
perceptive, pure grasp of subject,
intelligent use of primary and secondary sources, and
a sense of completeness about the handling of the topic.
Organization
effective introduction and conclusion,
main idea is clear and logical development follows,
smooth transitions, and
good use of details.
Style
appropriate, accurate, precise and idiomatic diction, and
sentences varied in kind, length and effect.
Mechanics
consistently correct spelling,
accurate use of punctuation,
grammatically correct sentences, and
well organized paragraphing.
  

6.9.4 Linked Course
A linked course is a course comprising two components and is normally identified by the letter "A" or "B" as the last character of the course number. No credits or points are assigned to the "A" part of a linked course. No credits or points are given until the "B" part is successfully completed. Credits and points will be awarded upon successful completion of the "B" part and will be attributed to the "B" part only.