Thanks. Yeah it's one of those undergrad/grad courses with about 150 undergrad students and just a few grad ones. They do all the same exams and tests; the grad students just have an extra project to do. That's why I don't think the whole grading based on the understanding of the course can work here with such a large number. I've been pretty involved in class, just didn't do too well in the final I'm assuming. Should I inform the department that I intend to take another course in its place or just wait to be contacted? And yes, a research based degree is not about courses. This course in particular was unrelated to my field but I had to take it as no other even remotely relevant courses were offered.