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Late Change to P/NP Grading Mode Criteria

An undergraduate student in good academic standing may opt to take specific courses on a Passed (P) or Not Passed (NP) basis, or P/NP, subject to Academic Senate regulations (DDR A545) and the following additional restrictions in accordance with the regulations of the faculty of the College of Biological Sciences. 

All courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken on a letter-graded basis, unless courses are only offered on a Passed/Not Passed basis. If a student adds or changes a major course offered for a letter grade to Passed/Not Passed, the college will return it to a letter grade. In addition, the Academic Senate limits the total number of courses graded P, including units earned in courses graded "P/NP only," to one third of the units completed on the UC Davis campus.  

Unit Restrictions 

  • P/NP grading is limited to one-third (1/3) of the units completed on the UCD campus. 
  • Students can calculate the proportion of P/NP units to total units that they have by counting the number of P/NP graded units that appear in OASIS’s “Academic Records,” and dividing it by their total number of units completed at UCD. 

Courses Allowed 

  • P/NP grading is allowed for General Education (GE) courses, English Composition courses, and non-major electives. 

Courses Not Allowed 

  • Courses that are being used towards the major with the exception of 192, 194, 198, and 199 units. All CBS major courses must be taken for a letter grade (excluding courses offered only as P/NP). 
  • Courses in which a letter grade of D or F was received may not be repeated on a P/NP grading basis (Exception: Courses in which a grade of NP was received may be repeated on a P/NP or letter-graded basis). 
  • Attempts to change to P/NP Grading Mode for a course that is pending review or has been reviewed by Student Conduct and Integrity (formerly part of OSSJA) will be reported. 

Deadline for Changing Grade Mode 

Process for Changing Grade Mode to P/NP 

  • Students in Good Academic Standing for Grades or Academic Notice for units only can use Grade Mode Change in Schedule Builder. 
  • To change the grading option for a course after the 40th day of instruction, but on or before the last day of instruction, you must meet with a BASC advisor to initiate the “Optional P/NP Grading Mode Change” petition via OASIS. If your request to initiate the form is approved, your advisor will forward the online Optional P/NP Grading Mode Change petition for you to complete and submit via OASIS.  
  • Late changes to P/NP grading mode ONLY will only be approved when unexpected, unforeseen, and/or extenuating circumstances which interfere with the student's academic performance, occur after the official P/NP deadline. 
  • Supporting documentation, on appropriate letterhead, is required.  
  • Important note: Any documentation student provides, including medical verification, will become a part of student’s academic record and will be subject to FERPA privacy rules. Please do not include any medical diagnosis in your uploaded documentation. You can also drop off any documentation at the BASC front desk to be confidentially shredded once petition has been processed. 
  • Approval is not guaranteed. Each request is considered individually in light of the student's entire academic record and the specific circumstances provided on the petition. 
  • Once approved, the grading mode change cannot be changed back to letter grading. 

Late P/NP Petition Considerations

Extenuating circumstances that may qualify for a P/NP grading mode, and what documentation is required, include: 

  • Increase in Work Hours (occurring after the deadline) - Requires letter from employer (on company letterhead) including explanation of why the increase of hours was necessary, the number of hours before and after the increase, and the date the increased hours started. 
  • Health (Medical/Illness/Accident/Mental/Emotional) - Requires letter/recommendation from Student Health and Counseling Services or physician (on their letterhead) including the affected dates and how the condition was significant enough to warrant a modification of course load. 
  • Death In Family - Requires appropriate documentation. 
  • Serious Personal Problem - Requires specific supporting documentation. 
  • Other Situations of Equal Gravity - Requires specific supporting documentation. 

 Late change to P/NP Grading Mode will NOT be approved for: 

  • Poor academic performance/poor midterm results 
  • Academic difficulties 
  • Unavailability of graded work 
  • Unawareness of the deadlines/lack of academic advising 
  • Need of a specific grade in the course 
  • Change of interest/not a major requirement 
  • Those who are not in good academic standing for GPA/grades 

Process for Changing Grade Mode Back to a Letter Grade 

  • Retroactive Grade Mode Changes to revert a P/NP to a letter grade are processed via petition by the Office of the University Registrar for graduation purposes only (i.e. major requirement coursework).  
  • Students must fill out the retroactive action petition via the Office of the University Registrar’s website.