The individual courses that make up the degree program can be
divided into the following types:
- Core courses: These provide the foundation of the degree
program and are required of all students. Students take a
variety of courses in mathematics, English, humanities, physical
sciences, and social sciences. Some colleges require students to
take many core courses, while other schools require only a few.
- Major courses: A major is the subject in which a student
chooses to concentrate. Most students major in one subject;
however, some colleges offer the option of pursuing a double
major with a related subject. Your major courses represent
one-quarter to one-half of the total number of courses required
to complete a degree.
- Minor courses: A minor is a subject in which a student may
choose to take the second greatest concentration of courses. The
number of courses required for a minor tends to be half the
number of major courses.
- Elective courses: These courses may be chosen from any
department. They offer opportunities to explore other topics or
subjects you may be interested in and help make up the total
number of credits required to graduate.
American universities employ a system of continual assessment and
assign grades for each course taken. Almost everything you do for a
class will influence your final grade. Examinations and tests,
essays or written assignments, laboratory reports, laboratory or
studio work, class attendance, and class participation may all be
used to determine your final grade. This means it is essential to
keep up with the reading and course work and to attend classes on a
regular basis.
The following is a general percentage/letter grade scale for classes
taken at U.S. colleges:
100 – 90% = A
89 – 80% = B
79 – 70% = C
65-70% = D
Below 65% = F
Each student completes his or her degree with a grade point average
(GPA). A cumulative grade point average is the GPA for all courses
taken throughout the degree program. Most universities use a GPA
scale of 4.0, but a few universities use a scale of 5.0. To work out
your GPA, take the numerical value assigned to the letter grade you
achieve for each course (typically 4 points for an "A," 3 points for
a "B," and so on), then multiply this number by the number of
credits each course is worth. Finally, add these numbers together
and divide by the total number of credits for all courses. For
example:
| Letter Grade |
Numerical Value |
Number of Credits |
Total |
| A |
4.0 |
3 |
12 |
| B |
3.0 |
3 |
9 |
| C |
2.0 |
3 |
6 |
27 divided by 9 = 3.0 GPA
Most universities will also offer some sort of honors degree. To
qualify for an honors degree, you must fulfill additional credits or
write an honors thesis; precise details depend upon the university
and/or academic department. There may be different levels of honors:
summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude, in descending order
of distinction. |
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