NTU Announces Changes to Grading System

GPA computation for freshmen changed, S/U options widened.

By Sharanya Pillai & Louisa Tang, News Editor

SMOOTHER TRANSITION: Freshmen enjoying refreshments after the Welcome Ceremony held at the Lee Kong Chian Lecture Theatre earlier today.
PHOTO: CLIFFORD LEE

From this academic year, NTU freshmen can automatically exclude from their Grade Point Average (GPA) up to six modules that they fail on first attempt.

This will apply to any module taken in their first year. However, they will still have to retake the exams — anytime in their academic career — for the core and general-core electives (GER-CORE) modules they fail.

Grades earned on the second attempt will subsequently be used in computing their GPA, regardless of grades.

These were part of a slew of changes to the grading system announced by Professor Kam Chan Hin, Senior Associate Provost (Undergraduate Education) at a media briefing today (6 Aug).

“The annual student surveys have shown that one of the key concerns of students is their GPA. We want our students to experience a vibrant university life and not be too caught up with grades especially in the first year as they are still discovering new things such as the university system,” said Prof Kam.

The tweak in GPA computation for freshmen was welcomed by students, who told the Nanyang Chronicle it would help them in adapting to the rigour of university.

First-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Tay Yiting, 21, said: “I feel relieved, because the transition from polytechnic to university is quite great so I can use this chance to adapt.”

Meanwhile, the school has also adjusted its Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grading system for general electives — General Prescribed Electives and Unrestricted Electives — for all undergraduates.

All those who pass — a D grade and above — will be given the satisfactory grade, while those graded F will be given the unsatisfactory grade.

Previously, only those graded C and above were awarded the satisfactory grade.

The Nanyang Chronicle understands that the S/U period will not change.

Freshmen matriculating in Academic Year 2014/2015 are also required to take three new GER-CORE courses of one Academic Unit (AU) each, in the key subject areas of Sustainability, Enterprise & Innovation, and Ethics & Moral Reasoning.

Two other 1AU courses will be offered as well: Absolute Basics for Career, and Career Power-Up.

Lessons and assessments for these compulsory GER-CORE courses will be delivered entirely online and will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

“I think it’s quite good because you can choose to do it during your free time, so it won’t be so taxing. As planning for projects takes up a lot of time, I prefer to have an online module,” said Tan Xue Lin, 20, a first-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

NTU is the latest university in Singapore to introduce such curriculum changes.

Earlier this January, the National University of Singapore (NUS) announced a grade-free first semester for all their freshman undergraduates, also beginning this academic year. NUS freshmen can opt to S/U first semester modules, or be given letter grades which will count towards their Cumulative Average Point.