2009 Complete AMCAS List of BCPM Courses

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There are a lot of questions on SDN about BCPM. Below is all the information you will need to distinguish BCPM from non-BCPM. The list is from AMCAS 2009 manual. You can find the full manual for MD schools here: AMCAS 2009. The requirements for DO schools are listed as well.

I. This first list below applies only to MD schools. Some of the courses that many students are confused about are italicized:

Biology (BIOL) - BCPM
1.Anatomy
2.Biology
3.Biophysics
4.Biotechnology
5.Botany
6.Cell Biology
7.Ecology
8.Entomology
9.Genetics
10.Histology
11.Immunology
12.Microbiology
13.Molecular Biology
14.Neuroscience
15.Physiology

Chemistry (CHEM) - BCPM
1.Biochemistry
2.Chemistry
3.Physical Chemistry
4.Thermodynamics

Math (MATH) - BCPM
1.Applied Mathematics
2.Mathematics
3.Statistics

Physics (PHYS) - BCPM
1.Astronomy
2.Physics

Everything else below is NON-BCPM.

Behavioral & Social Sciences (BESS)
1.Anthropology
2.Economics
3.Family Studies
4.Psychology
5.Sociology

Computer Science/Technology (COMP)
1.Computer Science
2.Computer Engineering
3.Information Systems
4.Telecommunications

Engineering (ENGI)
1.Aerospace Engineering
2.Biomedical Engineering
3.Chemical Engineering
4.Civil Engineering
5.Electrical Engineering
6.Engineering
7.Environmental Engineering
8.Mechanical Engineering
9.Nuclear Engineering

Health Sciences (HEAL)
1.Allied Health
2.Chiropractic
3.Dentistry
4.Hearing & Speech Sciences
5.Hospital Administration
6.Kinesiology
7.Medical Technology
8.Medicine
9.Nursing
10.Nutrition & Food Sciences
11.Occupational Therapy
12.Optometry
13.Osteopathy
14.Physical Therapy
15.Physician Assistant
16.Public Health
17.Pharmacology & Pharmacy
18.Sports Medicine
19.Veterinary Medicine

Natural/Physical Sciences (NPSC)
1.Agriculture
2.Animal and Avian Sciences
3.Forestry
4.Geography
5.Geology
6.Horticulture
7.Landscape Architecture
8.Meteorology
9.Natural Resources
10.Oceanography
11.Environmental Science & Policy

Business (BUSI)
1.Accounting
2.Business
3.Finance
4.Human Resource Studies
5.Management
6.Organizational Studies
7.Marketing

Communications (COMM)
1.Journalism
2.Media Production & Studies
3.TV, Video, & Audio

Education (EDUC)
1.Counseling & Personnel Services
2.Curriculum & Instruction
3.Educational Policy
4.Educational Administration
5.Health Education
6.Human Development
7.Physical Education (except for sports courses such as tennis,
8.golf, aerobics, etc. Use Other for these types of courses.)
9.Special Education

English Language & Literature (ENGL)
1.English Composition & Rhetoric
2.English Creative Writing
3.English Language & Literature

Fine Arts (ARTS)
1.Art
2.Art History
3.Dance
4.Fine Arts
5.Music
6.Photography
7.Theatre

History (HIST)
1.History

Foreign Languages/Linguistics/Lit. (FLAN)
1.American Sign Language
2.Comparative Literature
3.Linguistics
4.Foreign Language(s) & Literature

Government/Political Sci/Law (GOVT)
1.Criminology & Criminal Justice
2.Government
3.International Relations & Studies
4.Law/Legal Studies
5.Political Science
6.Public Affairs & Policy
7.Urban Policy & Planning

Philosophy/Religion (PHIL)
1.Ethics
2.Logic
3.Philosophy
4.Religion
5.Theology

Special Studies (SSTU)
1.Afro-American Studies
2.American Studies
3.Gender Studies

Other (OTHR)
All courses which do not fit appropriately into another category,
including:
1.Architecture
2.Interdisciplinary courses
3.Library Science
4.Military Science
5.Sports (tennis, golf, aerobics, etc.)


__________________________________________________ __________________________________________

II. DO schools have very different "BCPM" requirements from MD schools and the name is simply scienceGPA (sciGPA), rather than BCPM. Refer to this thread for more information. Here is a the complete DO list, with some of the major differences from MD schools italicized:

Bio/Zoology - sciGPA

1. Animal Science
2. Anatomy
3. Bacteriology
4. Biology
5. Botany
6. Cellular & Molecular Biology
7. Cellular Physiology
8. Ecology
9. Evolution
10. Genetics
11. Hematology
12. Histology
13. Immunology
14. Microbiology
15. Micro-Organisms
16. Natural Science
17. Neurology
18. Oceanography
19. Parasitology
20. Pathology
21. Physiology
22. Virology
23. Zoology

Biochemistry - sciGPA

1. Biochemistry
2. Physiological Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry - sciGPA

1. Chemistry, General
2. Medical Chemistry
3. Pharmaceutical Chemistry
4. Physical Chemistry
5. Qualitative Analysis
6. Quantitative Analysis
7. Readings in Chemistry
8. Research in Chemistry
9. Special Topics in Chemistry
10. Structures & Bonds

Organic Chemistry - sciGPA

1. Bio-Organic Chemistry
2. Organic Chemistry
3. Readings in Organic Chemistry
4. Special Topics in Organic Chemistry

Other Science - sciGPA

1. Agricultural Science
2. Astronomy
3. Chiropractic
4. Electronics
5. Engineering
6. Epidemiology
7. Geology
8. Kinesiology
9. Medical Technology
10. Meteorology
11. Nutrition
12. Pharmacy
13. Physical Anthropology
14. Physical Geography
15. Physical Science
16. Physician Assistant
17. Radiology

Physics - sciGPA

1. Electricity & Light
2. Magnetism
3. Mechanical Heat
4. Physics
5. Thermodynamics

Everything else below is NON-SCIENCE, yes, even math.

Behavioral Science

1. Anthropology
2. Community Health
3. Criminal Justice
4. Educational Psychology
5. Ethnic Studies
6. Human Sexuality
7. Marriage/Family
8. Personal Health
9. Physiological Ethics
10. Psychology
11. Social Science
12. Social Work/Sociology

English

1. Bible Literature
2. Composition
3. English
4. Journalism
5. Literature
6. Poetry
7. Reading Skills
8. Rhetoric
9. Theater Literature

Math

1. Behavioral Statistics
2. Biostatistics
3. Chemical Math
4. Computer Science
5. Mathematics

Other Non-Science

1. Acting
2. Agriculture
3. Archeology
4. Art
5. Bioethics
6. Business
7. Communications
8. Cultural Geography
9. Economics
10. Education
11. Emergency Med-Tech
12. Ethics
13. First Aid
14. Foreign Language
15. Forestry
16. Geography
17. Government
18. Health/Personal Hygiene
19. History
20. Humanities
21. Law
22. Logic
23. Medical Terminology
24. Military Science
25. Music
26. Nursing
27. Occupational Therapy
28. Philosophy
29. Physical Education
30. Physical Therapy
31. Political Science
32. Public Health
33. Public Speaking
34. Religion
35. Respiratory Therapy
36. Social Ethics
37. Speech
38. Speech Pathology
39. Teaching Science
40. Theater
41. Theology
42. Word Processing

Those who are worried about a criminal background (or are having a cardiac arrest because of a simple traffic ticket!), can buy their own background check from the company listed below. You'll see the same thing as the medical school will see. Furthermore, note that background checks are not done until you are accepted.

In support of this recommendation, the AAMC has initiated an AMCAS facilitated
national background check service, through which Certiphi
Screening, Inc. (a Vertical Screen® Company) will procure a national
background report on applicants at the point of acceptance. In
addition, beginning in May of each year, a national background report
will be procured for a subset of applicants who are on a participating
school's alternate list; medical schools will not receive such reports
until the point of acceptance. The AAMC has initiated this new service
in order to recognize the desire of medical schools to procure
appropriate national criminal history reports, and to prevent applicants
from paying additional fees at each medical school to which they are
accepted.
As this is our second year and we will be determining the viability of
this new service, participating medical schools may continue to require
applicants to undergo a separate national background check process if
that is required by their own institutional regulations or by applicable
state law. Many medical schools not participating in our new service
during this year may also require applicants to undergo a separate
national background check process.

bump

What do you think about a course that was listed as anatomy, but offered through the Anthropology Department?

I am pretty pissed about Pharm./Tox. not "counting".

Thanks for the list, I never really understood how they choose the BPCM until now.

Thanks for posting the list. Pharmacology's not BCPM huh? Now I have no idea what my verified GPA will be.

Originally Posted by mbe36

What do you think about a course that was listed as anatomy, but offered through the Anthropology Department?

I am pretty pissed about Pharm./Tox. not "counting".

I think that it will not be BCPM. I read somewhere that it is important which department offers the given class. It will probably be considered part of anthropology. If the course title says only "anatomy," then I am not sure. You can call AMCAS to find out.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

I think that it will not be BCPM. I read somewhere that it is important which department offers the given class. It will probably be considered part of anthropology. If the course title says only "anatomy," then I am not sure. You can call AMCAS to find out.

It shouldn't matter what department offers the class...it matters what material was actually taught in the class...

some people have had psych class count b/c they had a lot of neuroscience in them...it's not a hard and fast rule that only course offered in biology chemistry, physics and math count...you need to look at the description and content.

What about Foundations of Public Health Immunology and Survey of Human Diseases? They are both listed as Health Science courses, but Immunology is listed under BCMP, and I'm not sure about Human Diseases. They were extensively science based, involving a high level of detail, but I'm not sure if they will pass as BCMP. Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Originally Posted by foster033

It shouldn't matter what department offers the class...it matters what material was actually taught in the class...

some people have had psych class count b/c they had a lot of neuroscience in them...it's not a hard and fast rule that only course offered in biology chemistry, physics and math count...you need to look at the description and content.

Are you sure about that? Medschools have thousands of applicants. Do you know how long it would take AMCAS to review the description of every single suspicious class? Furthermore, we are not even asked to submit course descriptions, so I don't quite understand how they can judge BCPM based on a description.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Are you sure about that? Medschools have thousands of applicants. Do you know how long it would take AMCAS to review the description of every single suspicious class? Furthermore, we are not even asked to submit course descriptions, so I don't quite understand how they can judge BCPM based on a description.

Yes...it's the content of the class that counts...do a search..there have been about a million threads on this....

Originally Posted by foster033

Yes...it's the content of the class that counts...do a search..there have been about a million threads on this....

I'd be curious as well to know how they determine what the "content" is? The title isn't that descriptive, and I doubt they take the time to call schools and see what's up.

Originally Posted by stixx

I'd be curious as well to know how they determine what the "content" is? The title isn't that descriptive, and I doubt they take the time to call schools and see what's up.

I don't work there so I can't tell you how they do it...there probably aren't that many classes that this applies to though...

if you think your class was a science class then classify it as BCPM... they'll either leave it like that or change it...but if you want to know how they make that decision you should probably call..

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Are you sure about that? Medschools have thousands of applicants. Do you know how long it would take AMCAS to review the description of every single suspicious class? Furthermore, we are not even asked to submit course descriptions, so I don't quite understand how they can judge BCPM based on a description.

Read the AMCAS instruction booklet, it clearly states that you should classify your courses based upon course content and not the department that taught the course. You are correct in assuming that they don't review the description of every single suspicious class. That is why if they think it doesn't fit, they will change it to a non-science course and you are then able to use the "Academic Change Request" form on the AMCAS application to provide them with evidence that you correctly classified the course. This way they reduce the number of courses they have to review because they know that a lot of people won't challenge their changes.

Originally Posted by 4Health

Read the AMCAS instruction booklet, it clearly states that you should classify your courses based upon course content and not the department that taught the course. You are correct in assuming that they don't review the description of every single suspicious class. That is why if they think it doesn't fit, they will change it to a non-science course and you are then able to use the "Academic Change Request" form on the AMCAS application to provide them with evidence that you correctly classified the course. This way they reduce the number of courses they have to review because they know that a lot of people won't challenge their changes.

OK, this makes sense now. They let you do all the work. I think this increases the probability that when in doubt, they will always change a course to non-science (rather than the other way around). It seems that it is the student's responsibility to make sure that they are correct. Given this information, I would list the anthropology-anatomy as science (if you got a good grade in it) and see what happens. I think that since this system is not perfect, we'll people have lower or higher BCPMs due to these small errors.

organic chemistry is not counted ?!

under BCPM*

anyone think my Geography: Weather and Climate class will count? If not, sweet!

Originally Posted by cbrons

anyone think my Geography: Weather and Climate class will count? If not, sweet!

As BCPM? Don't think so.

Originally Posted by eez

organic chemistry is not counted ?!

Of course it's counted. It is a prerequisite.

Originally Posted by cbrons

anyone think my Geography: Weather and Climate class will count? If not, sweet!

Doubtful. For DO schools it might tho.

Originally Posted by cbrons

anyone think my Geography: Weather and Climate class will count? If not, sweet!

If you look at the list, you'll see that geography is considered Natural/Physical Science (NPSC). It is not BCPM.

Originally Posted by RySerr21

Doubtful. For DO schools it might tho.

Are you saying that DOs have separate BCPM requirements? I don't think so.

I am so confused about the biomedical engineering thing. I realize that it is in italics, so that they strictly forbid it as counting for BCPM. But what about a year long "systems physiology" class that, in reality, had no engineering component whatsoever and was just a very in depth physiology course (and in fact used many of the same texts employed by physiology classes in the bio department)? Given I got an A in these classes, so I am biased and would like to include it in the sGPA, but it really is not all that clear.

Or what about a class in the EECS department called "mathematical foundations of computer science"; it is listed as an engineering class, but involved pure mathematical rigor that was actually more intense than any classes I have taken in the math department. Again this class did not involve anything characteristic of engineering. The line between engi/non-engi is so unclear sometimes.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Are you saying that DOs have separate BCPM requirements? I don't think so.

They aren't requirements. They have the same REQUIRED courses in chemistry/physics/bio just like at MD. However, they are more lenient for what they will count towards your science GPA. On top of all your pre reqs, there is another category called "other science." If you take a course within that category, it counts towards your science GPA. In Cbrons case, he is taking a geography course, which does not count for BCPM for DO or MD. I misread and thought he was taking a geology course, but maybe he can squeeze it in to physical geography, i dont really know what that course would consist of. For the DO apps, all of my kines courses counted towards my science GPA. That wasnt the case for the MD apps, only the courses like anatomy and physiology while the DO apps counted my courses on nutrition and biomechanics, etc.

Other Science

Agricultural Science
Astronomy
Chiropractic
Electronics
Engineering
Epidemiology
Geology
Kinesiology
Medical Technology
Meteorology
Nutrition
Pharmacy
Physical Anthropology
Physical Geography
Physical Science
Physician Assistant
Radiology

EDIT: Another difference between DO and MD science GPAs is that DOs don't count math towards the science GPA. The MD schools do.

Originally Posted by RySerr21

They aren't requirements. They have the same REQUIRED courses in chemistry/physics/bio just like at MD. However, they are more lenient for what they will count towards your science GPA. On top of all your pre reqs, there is another category called "other science." If you take a course within that category, it counts towards your science GPA. In Cbrons case, he is taking a geography course, which does not count for BCPM for DO or MD. I misread and thought he was taking a geology course, but maybe he can squeeze it in to physical geography, i dont really know what that course would consist of. For the DO apps, all of my kines courses counted towards my science GPA. That wasnt the case for the MD apps, only the courses like anatomy and physiology while the DO apps counted my courses on nutrition and biomechanics, etc.

Other Science

Agricultural Science
Astronomy
Chiropractic
Electronics
Engineering
Epidemiology
Geology
Kinesiology
Medical Technology
Meteorology
Nutrition
Pharmacy
Physical Anthropology
Physical Geography
Physical Science
Physician Assistant
Radiology

EDIT: Another difference between DO and MD science GPAs is that DOs don't count math towards the science GPA. The MD schools do.

I would like to note that there is some great information above. Personally, I had no idea that DOs have all these additional science classes AND that they don't count math as BCPM. I am sure that for many students this will significantly affect their DO GPA, especially the student has not done well in math. Many of us just don't like math, even if we love physics. I just want to confirm that this information is right. I will then edit my original post to incorporate DOs.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

I would like to note that there is some great information above. Personally, I had no idea that DOs have all these additional science classes AND that they don't count math as BCPM. I am sure that for many students this will significantly affect their DO GPA, especially the student has not done well in math. Many of us just don't like math, even if we love physics. I just want to confirm that this information is right. I will then edit my original post to incorporate DOs.

I have posted a PDF of the AACOMAS (DO) instructions, here. You'll find the breakdown of all the course classifications.

Look at the last section, entitled "GPA and Credit Hour Computations." It gives a nice summary of what's included in which GPAs.

My school offers a wide variety of courses under the 'Genetics' department. Safe to assume all of these can be counted towards BCPM?

So for DO application science GPA, Introduction to Engineering, is included? Even though the class did nothing engineering or science related. We drew block letters and discussed what engineers do/classes to take ect.

Thanks CB I saw your post after I asked this!

Originally Posted by beckhunter116

So for DO application science GPA, Introduction to Engineering, is included? Even though the class did nothing engineering or science related. We drew block letters and discussed what engineers do/classes to take ect.

Thanks CB I saw your post after I asked this!

Sure no problem.

They don't look at the course description--just the title. It's kinda like how a Bio Seminar class might just mean you talked about professional stuff, like future jobs, etc., but would be included in your AMCAS BCPM or AACOMAS sciGPA, anyway.

There are lots of classes that aren't really technical and probably shouldn't count as "science" or BCPM, but it would take far more time for the application services to hash out these details during verification.

Originally Posted by FeralisExtremum

My school offers a wide variety of courses under the 'Genetics' department. Safe to assume all of these can be counted towards BCPM?

yes its safe to assume they will be counted.

Quick question, can anyone help me?
I’m a transfer student and I took some elementary science classes (such as trig, pre-calc, basic physics and basic gen chem.) which were non-transferable to the University but they do appear on my CC transcript. Should I still include them on my BCPM and overall GPA?
Thanks!

Originally Posted by wjstk

Quick question, can anyone help me?
I’m a transfer student and I took some elementary science classes (such as trig, pre-calc, basic physics and basic gen chem.) which were non-transferable to the University but they do appear on my CC transcript. Should I still include them on my BCPM and overall GPA?
Thanks!

Yes. AMCAS requires you to list all your courses, regardless where or when you took them.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Yes. AMCAS requires you to list all your courses, regardless where or when you took them.

Thank you so much for your reply

Ok, so what about research in pharmacology? My school bases the efforts on the A/B/C etc. grading system. Does this really mean that four quarters of As are just subjected to only my overall GPA? ugh..

Originally Posted by stevo111

Ok, so what about research in pharmacology? My school bases the efforts on the A/B/C etc. grading system. Does this really mean that four quarters of As are just subjected to only my overall GPA? ugh..

Seems that way. Lame. BCPM is annoying.

Originally Posted by Chocolate Bear

They don't look at the course description--just the title.

oh no... i have two classes that were heavy in physiology and neuroscience, but one was through the gerontology department (neuroaffective disorders of aging) and the other through the psych department (behavioral neuroscience). chances of them being counted as bcpm? because that would help me soooo much...


thanks Excelsius, for posting the list, by the way. it's a huge help!

Originally Posted by mocha blanca

oh no... i have two classes that were heavy in physiology and neuroscience, but one was through the gerontology department (neuroaffective disorders of aging) and the other through the psych department (behavioral neuroscience). chances of them being counted as bcpm? because that would help me soooo much...


thanks Excelsius, for posting the list, by the way. it's a huge help!

They both sound like Neuroscience, which is listed under Biology for AMCAS. Seems like they should count in your BCPM, but unfortunately it's hard to know for sure that AMCAS will see it that way.

Originally Posted by Chocolate Bear

I have posted a PDF of the AACOMAS (DO) instructions, here. You'll find the breakdown of all the course classifications.

Look at the last section, entitled "GPA and Credit Hour Computations." It gives a nice summary of what's included in which GPAs.

Thanks for the information. I updated the list to reflect DO schools as well since many students in the allo forum apply to both MD and DO.

I wish there was a way to make two columns of data so that it wasn't necessary to scroll down so much to see the entire list. I tried using html code, but it seems that the interface doesn't support it. I hope in the future we have a feature like that available. Right now the only workaround is posting the data in picture format (from another website), but that won't allow the list to be copied as text.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Thanks for the information. I updated the list to reflect DO schools as well since many students in the allo forum apply to both MD and DO.

No problem.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Thanks for the information. I updated the list to reflect DO schools as well since many students in the allo forum apply to both MD and DO.

I wish there was a way to make two columns of data so that it wasn't necessary to scroll down so much to see the entire list. I tried using html code, but it seems that the interface doesn't support it. I hope in the future we have a feature like that available. Right now the only workaround is posting the data in picture format (from another website), but that won't allow the list to be copied as text.

In the DO list, you might want to clarify that it's not called BCPM. Rather it's "sciGPA." This makes it easier to understand why so many other courses are considered "science" by AACOMAS. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Chocolate Bear

In the DO list, you might want to clarify that it's not called BCPM. Rather it's "sciGPA." This makes it easier to understand why so many other courses are considered "science" by AACOMAS. Just a thought.

You're right. I was just stuck with BCPM and completely forgot that the "M" actually stands for math, which is not science under AACOMAS! The list is changed now.

Thanks for the BCPM listing, it's great!!!

However, I'm confused, isn't Calculus 1,2,3 and Differential Equations categorized as Math?

Also is Physics 1&2 (with Calculus) and Statics and dynamics included under Physics, if not I regrettably I to recalculate my gpa downwards

Originally Posted by Bernoull

isn't Calculus 1,2,3 and Differential Equations categorized as Math?

Yes. These courses would be listed under the "Math" category in AMCAS.

Originally Posted by Bernoull

Also is Physics 1&2 (with Calculus) and Statics and dynamics included under Physics

Yes. These courses would be listed under the "Physics" category in AMCAS.

The list is only a general guideline. You will have classes that fall in certain categories that aren't explicitly listed. For example, I had a bunch of forensic science courses (microscopy, serology, scientific crime scene investigation) that I listed as Biology, and I didn't have a problem with any of them. Just list the courses where you think they fit best and AMCAS will adjust if needed.

Thanks chad5871 for the information. I am quite relieved..

Originally Posted by Bernoull

Thanks chad5871 for the information. I am quite relieved..

No problem. I stressed and stressed over how to classify my courses, but in the end, it's not a big deal at all. I'd suggest not overthinking it too much!

Best of luck to you!

I took a course called BIOL 402 - Human Pathology. Is that a science? I notice its not a subject on the list.

Originally Posted by boggvir

I took a course called BIOL 402 - Human Pathology. Is that a science? I notice its not a subject on the list.

Since it's within the Biology department I would classify it as Biology.

Originally Posted by boggvir

I took a course called BIOL 402 - Human Pathology. Is that a science? I notice its not a subject on the list.

Since this has come up a few times, I thought I'd address this. When you look at the list, you'll notice that the titles are pretty generic. For example, for biology it specifically says BIOLOGY on top. That means that it is safe to assume that any course being taught under BIO is going to be BCPM. I doubt that they will even check the description of the course if it says BIO right in the title – this is why a course like History of Biology will likely count as BCPM if you list it as such. There are a lot of different types of biology classes and it would be impossible for AMCAS to list every single possible permutation. This also applies to all the other BCPM categories.

Finally, there are some borderline courses that really do not fit into any of these categories. Your only answer then will lie with AMCAS – you either have to call them or wait until your application is verified. If everyone reports the AMCAS classification of borderline courses here, then we’ll soon have a comprehensive list of that as well. Meanwhile, if you have a course where you got an A and are not sure if that’s BCPM, just list it under BCPM. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain if it works out. I have seen an example of a course where someone reported it as BCPM and it was accepted and another person reported almost the same course as non-BCPM and it was accepted too. So your BCPM is partly based on your judgment as well.

Originally Posted by Excelsius

Finally, there are some borderline courses that really do not fit into any of these categories.

Put "borderline" courses where you think they fit the best. I listed courses like "Scientific Crime Scene Investigation," "Forensic Microscopy," and "Introduction to the Life Sciences" as Biology, and they didn't change any of them.

...........oppps