The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) GPA calculator is a handy tool designed to help students calculate their Grade Point Average (GPA). Understanding how to calculate your GPA is essential for tracking your academic progress and planning your studies. This article will explain how the UWW GPA calculator works, the formula used, and provide a step-by-step example.
Purpose and Functionality
The primary purpose of the UWW GPA calculator is to determine your GPA based on the credit hours and grades you have received in your courses. The GPA is a measure of your academic performance and is used by the university to assess your academic standing.
How the UWW GPA Calculator Works
The GPA is calculated using the following formula:
GPA=∑(Credit Hours×Grade Points)∑(Credit Hours)\text{GPA} = \frac{\sum (\text{Credit Hours} \times \text{Grade Points})}{\sum (\text{Credit Hours})}GPA=∑(Credit Hours)∑(Credit Hours×Grade Points)
Here’s a breakdown of the inputs and the process:
Inputs
- Credit Hours: The number of credit hours for each course. This represents the weight of each course in your GPA calculation.
- Grade Points: The points corresponding to the grade you received in each course. UWW typically uses the following scale:
- A = 4.0
- A- = 3.7
- B+ = 3.3
- B = 3.0
- B- = 2.7
- C+ = 2.3
- C = 2.0
- C- = 1.7
- D+ = 1.3
- D = 1.0
- F = 0.0
Calculation Steps
- List all courses: Write down each course, its credit hours, and the grade received.
- Convert grades to grade points: Use the grade points scale to convert each grade to its numeric equivalent.
- Multiply grade points by credit hours for each course: This gives you the total points for each course.
- Sum all the total points from all courses.
- Sum all the credit hours.
- Divide the total points by the total credit hours: This result is your GPA.
Example Calculation
Let’s go through an example to understand how the GPA calculator works.
Suppose you have three courses with the following details:
- Course 1: 3 credit hours, Grade A (4.0)
- Course 2: 4 credit hours, Grade B (3.0)
- Course 3: 2 credit hours, Grade B- (2.7)
Step 1: Multiply the grade points by the credit hours for each course:
- Course 1: 3×4.0=12.03 \times 4.0 = 12.03×4.0=12.0
- Course 2: 4×3.0=12.04 \times 3.0 = 12.04×3.0=12.0
- Course 3: 2×2.7=5.42 \times 2.7 = 5.42×2.7=5.4
Step 2: Sum the total points and total credit hours:
- Total points = 12.0+12.0+5.4=29.412.0 + 12.0 + 5.4 = 29.412.0+12.0+5.4=29.4
- Total credit hours = 3+4+2=93 + 4 + 2 = 93+4+2=9
Step 3: Calculate the GPA:
GPA=29.49≈3.27\text{GPA} = \frac{29.4}{9} \approx 3.27GPA=929.4≈3.27
Relevant Information Table
| Course | Credit Hours | Grade | Grade Points | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Course 2 | 4 | B | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| Course 3 | 2 | B- | 2.7 | 5.4 |
| Total | 9 | 29.4 |
Conclusion
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) GPA calculator is a valuable tool for students to keep track of their academic performance. By understanding how to use the calculator and the formula behind it, you can accurately determine your GPA. This helps in planning your studies and identifying areas where you need to improve. Regularly calculating your GPA ensures you stay on top of your academic progress and work towards your goals.