About Iowa State University
Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant and space-grant research university, located in Ames, Iowa. The University was founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, making it the first land-grant college in the United States.
ISU offers over 100 undergraduate majors, 112 master's degrees, and 83 PhD programs spread across ten colleges. The colleges include: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Design, the College of Engineering, the College of Human Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Graduate College, the Ivy College of Business, and the School of Education.
The University is widely recognized for providing a high-quality education, conducting ground-breaking research and discoveries, and developing innovative technologies. Here are some highlights:
- The Ames Laboratory, a US Department of Energy national laboratory, is located on the campus.
- ISU is home to a student-initiated and led Dance Marathon that has raised more than $36 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital since 1998.
- U.S. News & World Report ranks Iowa State University as the 119th Best National University and 56th Best Public University in the United States.
Grading and GPA System
Iowa State University employs a 4.0 grading scale for both undergraduate and graduate courses. Here is a breakdown of the grading system:
- 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
In addition to the letter-grade system, ISU also calculates a grade point average (GPA) to summarize an individual's overall academic performance. The GPA calculation is the sum of the points earned divided by the total number of credits taken. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.
Conclusion
Iowa State University is a renowned tertiary institute known for its commitment to providing high-quality education, conducting innovative research, and facilitating a culture of teamwork and collaboration. Its rigorous grading system sets a standard of excellence for academic performance across all ten colleges, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 required for graduation. By blending cutting-edge research, teaching, discovery, and engagement, students leave Iowa State University equipped to tackle real-world challenges and prepared for a lifetime of learning.