clarification needed: calculating science GPA

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Ok, I did a search..both here and on the general web...and I'm still confused.

I'm trying to calculate my Science GPA, to see if I should even bother applying at this point...

I've heard 2 different stories mainly..it's only BCPM (biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) OR it's ALL science classes, in addition to BCPM.

Does anybody know which one it is?

Specifically:
Are all Biological Sciences included? like Botany, Zoology etc?
Are Multidisciplinary studies included?
What about classes that are listed under one heading, but are sciences?
(I had a conservation biology course that was listed as MDS)
Are Psych classes included in sciences?
What about other social sciences courses?

I've also looked through the AMCAS instruction manual and not been able to locate the answer to my question...

If I find something out "from the outside" I will post it here.. I'm sure that someone, besides myself, is confused on this issue.

Thanks!
Andrea

 

[Nebmuse]

When you fill out your application, you will have to enter each class you took one at a time. Part of this process is selecting under which subject each class falls. Once you have entered all your classes, your GPA will be broken down and calculated automatically. I would suggest that you start the application and forward through to the section where you enter your classes, and do so. It may take a while but you will know for sure which grades are included in which section, and then you will be able to make the decision for yourself.

Cheers

 

[docmemi]

Ok, I did a search..both here and on the general web...and I'm still confused.

I'm trying to calculate my Science GPA, to see if I should even bother applying at this point...

I've heard 2 different stories mainly..it's only BCPM (biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) OR it's ALL science classes, in addition to BCPM.

Does anybody know which one it is?

Specifically:
Are all Biological Sciences included? like Botany, Zoology etc?
Are Multidisciplinary studies included?
What about classes that are listed under one heading, but are sciences?
(I had a conservation biology course that was listed as MDS)
Are Psych classes included in sciences?
What about other social sciences courses?

I've also looked through the AMCAS instruction manual and not been able to locate the answer to my question...

If I find something out "from the outside" I will post it here.. I'm sure that someone, besides myself, is confused on this issue.

Thanks!
Andrea

it is up to you. all biology classes should be included in bcpm. classes in other depts that you feel were bcpm can also be included. dont put social sciences. in my opinion, only put psych if it was like a neurosci course and not a social psych course.

hope that helps.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

I know that they say that once you submit the application they can change the classification of your courses, but do they really do this? Like, if you list all your psychology classes as bio classes or something (even though they are psych classes on your transcript) do they really hire people to go through it manually and change it? What if you take a class like "social psychology" that does have a good deal of neuropsych. content, will they aruge with you? How do you prove it?

Thanks.

 

[mikeyboy]

I know that they say that once you submit the application they can change the classification of your courses, but do they really do this? Like, if you list all your psychology classes as bio classes or something (even though they are psych classes on your transcript) do they really hire people to go through it manually and change it? What if you take a class like "social psychology" that does have a good deal of neuropsych. content, will they aruge with you? How do you prove it?

Thanks.

I'm sure they can change it if they want. That's the verification of transcripts. They'll look at the title of the class and, if necessary, I would think they'll look for a course outline or something; I don't know how much as to be biology before it'll count.

But then, it's one class. For one class to make a significant (relative) difference, you must have either a very high GPA or very low GPA. Either way you don't need to worry.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

I'm sure they can change it if they want. That's the verification of transcripts. They'll look at the title of the class and, if necessary, I would think they'll look for a course outline or something; I don't know how much as to be biology before it'll count.

But then, it's one class. For one class to make a significant (relative) difference, you must have either a very high GPA or very low GPA. Either way you don't need to worry.

:::thinks::: Actually, I could probably make the case for many of my psychology classes having substantial bio content. My fear is that they will get suspicious when I'm counting so many Psych classes. Currently, I'm only including one (biopsychology). If I include others are are iffy, could it hurt me in any way?

 

[ghgi8]

I was also wondering about this very same thing. I have taken several 'easy A' (in my opinion) science classes that are geared towards nonmajors in order to fulfill their general education requirement.

For example:
a nutrition class - called Mans Food
a biohistory class - Plants, Plagues, and People
general psych
2 credits of research which entailed science
geography

I didn't list any of these as biology, chemistry, math, or physics because I figured it was just a waste of my time to try and get these included. But, whats the deal? Are any of these classes permissable? It would certainly boost my BCPM a bit

 

[kathy80]

I've been told by admissions people that:

Biology classes - list under biological sciences and it is BCPM.

Psychology/social sciences - are NOT BCPM - that's why there's a category to select for them that's "Social Sciences" or something like that.

Things like Man's Food, Women's Health, etc. are not BCPM.

Yes, they have checkers go through these, and it's one of the main things they look for. You don't want your application to be slowed up because of this!

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Ok I took a psychology class called "Biopsychology." It's basically neuroscience for psychology. It's cross listed in the "behavior and cognitive science" major, but I have the "psych" one on my transcript. I think that this could get by as a bio class since it has bio in its title. What do you think?

 

[ghgi8]

thanks kathy

 

[kathy80]

From what I've been told, I think the "checkers" look pretty carefully at what is listed as BCPM - since for a lot of people, it's what they wish they could beef up. I think they'll consider "Biopsychology" primarily a psychology course and categorize it as such. It seems not worth it - to try to slip something in that will raise eyebrows at least. Does it help that much?

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2005instructionbook.pdf
Go to page 32

It should explain most of your questions
I would consider a class that is called Biopsychology as a Biology class only if it was administered by the Biology department and has a course ID such as "BIOL".

In the end AMCAS reserves the right to change it and they say it may delay processing.

 

[bubbajones]

what about geology?

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

it is a natural science and is not in your BCMP

what about geology?

 

[DD214_DOC]

Many people have had "Biopsych", "Physiosological Psych", and "Psychobiology" (all are the same thing) counted as biology. The course content determines where it goes, not which department it is in.

I have seen courses such as, "The History of X" as a CHEM, BIOL, or even MATH course at my U, but no way they should technically count in your science GPA, unless they just see the department and skip over it.

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

JKDMed,

So you are saying that the following classwould not be considered in my BCMP:
MATH 261 Mathematics in Human History

this is almost as complicated as taxes!

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Thanks, JKD.

I am definately going to classify Biopsychology as a bio class, because the entire class was basically neuroscience. If the AMCAS people want to argue, I'll be happy to provide the syllabus and book so they can see for themselves.

 

[bubbajones]

what are some science classes that can help boost your bcpm? astronomy?

 

[Jason110]

Thanks, JKD.

I am definately going to classify Biopsychology as a bio class, because the entire class was basically neuroscience. If the AMCAS people want to argue, I'll be happy to provide the syllabus and book so they can see for themselves.

Good call. The AMCAS application specifically states that courses need to be classified based on course content, not what department teaches it. If you believe the course fits under the biology description, then do it. AMCAS might change it. If they do, you can always submit an "academic change request" after the AMCAS has been verified. It's important to get an accurate record of your academic coursework.

Jason

 

[Nebmuse]

I took an honors class called Science in the Ancient World, CLAS 2020, and I classified it as Biology. It was not changed by AMCAS.

 

[Jason110]

what are some science classes that can help boost your bcpm? astronomy?

Astronomy counts as physics.

Jason

 

[Jason110]

AMCAS Course Classification



Behavioral & Social Sciences (BESS)
*Anthropology
*Economics
*Family Studies
*Psychology
*Sociology



Biology (BIOL) - BCPM
*Anatomy
*Biology
*Biophysics
*Biotechnology
*Botany
*Cell Biology
*Ecology
*Entomology
*Genetics
*Histology
*Immunology
*Microbiology
*Molecular Biology
*Neuroscience
*Physiology



Business (BUSI)
*Accounting
*Business
*Finance
*Human Resource Studies
*Management
*Organizational Studies
*Marketing



Chemistry (CHEM) - BCPM
*Biochemistry
*Chemistry
*Physical Chemistry
*Thermodynamics



Communications (COMM)
*Journalism
*Media Production & Studies
*TV, Video, & Audio



Computer Science/Technology (COMP)
*Computer Science
*Computer Engineering
*Information Systems
*Telecommunications



Education (EDUC)
*Counseling & Personnel Services
*Curriculum & Instruction
*Educational Policy
*Educational Administration
*Health Education
*Human Development
*Physical Education
*Special Education



Engineering (ENGI)
*Aerospace Engineering
*Biomedical Engineering
*Chemical Engineering
*Civil Engineering
*Electrical Engineering
*Engineering
*Environmental Engineering
*Mechanical Engineering
*Nuclear Engineering



English Language & Literature (ENGL)
*English Composition & Rhetoric
*English Creative Writing
*English Language & Literature

Fine Arts (ARTS)
*Art
*Art History
*Dance
*Fine Arts
*Music
*Photography
*Theatre

Health Sciences (HEAL)
*Allied Health
*Chiropractic
*Dentistry
*Hearing & Speech Sciences
*Hospital Administration
*Kinesiology
*Medical Technology
*Medicine
*Nursing
*Nutrition & Food Sciences
*Occupational Therapy
*Optometry
*Osteopathy
*Physical Therapy
*Physician Assistant
*Public Health
*Pharmacology & Pharmacy
*Sports Medicine
*Veterinary Medicine

History (HIST)
*History

Foreign Languages/Linguistics/Lit. (FLAN)
*American Sign Language
*Comparative Literature
*Linguistics
*Foreign Language(s) & Literature

Government/Political Sci/Law (GOVT)
*Criminology & Criminal Justice
*Government
*International Relations & Studies
*Law/Legal Studies
*Political Science
*Public Affairs & Policy
*Urban Policy & Planning



Math (MATH) - BCPM
*Applied Mathematics
*Mathematics
*Statistics



Natural/Physical Sciences (NPSC)
*Agriculture
*Animal and Avian Sciences
*Forestry
*Geography
*Geology
*Horticulture
*Landscape Architecture
*Meteorology
*Natural Resources
*Oceanography
*Environmental Science & Policy



Other (OTHR)
All courses which do not fit appropriately into another category, including:
*Architecture
*Interdisciplinary courses
*Library Science
*Military Science



Philosophy/Religion (PHIL)
*Ethics
*Logic
*Philosophy
*Religion
*Theology



Physics (PHYS) - BCPM
*Astronomy
*Physics

Special Studies (SSTU)
*Afro-American Studies
*American Studies
*Gender Studies

 

[GBFKicks]

Good call. The AMCAS application specifically states that courses need to be classified based on course content, not what department teaches it. If you believe the course fits under the biology description, then do it. AMCAS might change it. If they do, you can always submit an "academic change request" after the AMCAS has been verified. It's important to get an accurate record of your academic coursework.

Jason

Has anyone here ever submitted or know of someone that submitted an "academic change resquest" I can see that as possibly being a minor drawback as your file would not be finished as quickly--but it might raise your BCPM GPA.
How hard is it for it to actually go through and does anyone know the procedure for an academic change request? Sorry in advance if it's a stupid question....

 

[CarleneM]

regarding the academic change request: i submitted one after I saw that one of my bio classes was listed by the wrong title and number. i'm surprised the checkers didn't catch that. they couldn't be, uh, checking that hard. but anyway, my app which had been verified was transmitted to the schools on july 6th without the change made. they told me that after the change gets made, they will send out a correction to the schools. so, it does not delay your app from making its journey to the adcoms..

and on psychology classes counting as biology: i counted psychopharmacology and advanced topics in psychopharmacology as bio and no one changed it despite them both being psych classes. now, in reality they should probably be in the health sciences category but at the time i didn't realize that category existed and wanted them to be in my science gpa anyway.

 

[GBFKicks]

regarding the academic change request: i submitted one after I saw that one of my bio classes was listed by the wrong title and number. i'm surprised the checkers didn't catch that. they couldn't be, uh, checking that hard. but anyway, my app which had been verified was transmitted to the schools on july 6th without the change made. they told me that after the change gets made, they will send out a correction to the schools. so, it does not delay your app from making its journey to the adcoms..

and on psychology classes counting as biology: i counted psychopharmacology and advanced topics in psychopharmacology as bio and no one changed it despite them both being psych classes. now, in reality they should probably be in the health sciences category but at the time i didn't realize that category existed and wanted them to be in my science gpa anyway.

Yeah, mine are anthropology classes, which might be more difficult... although one is cross listed as a biology class, and the other is titled human evolution.
Has anyone had to submit an academic change request when you said it was a bio class and they changed it?

 

[akpete]

what about anatomy and physiology classes that were held under the exercise science or kinesiology departemnts? Basically, there is no difference in the coursework, just the departement that teaches it. Should I put these under biology?

 

[PrettyMz4Christ]

just so i get this straight, we're basically saying that course content is more important than what department its listed in - so if i take some sort of chemistry course thats listed under the geology department, i can still include it in my bcpm because it involves chemistry.
please let me know if this is right....this will affect what courses are take in the fall... 🙁

 

[GBFKicks]

just so i get this straight, we're basically saying that course content is more important than what department its listed in - so if i take some sort of chemistry course thats listed under the geology department, i can still include it in my bcpm because it involves chemistry.
please let me know if this is right....this will affect what courses are take in the fall... 🙁

Well, I sent the AMCAS people an email stating my situation. Basically, they said that if the majority of the class is BCPM based, I should list it as a BCPM class (the course number and title do not matter). However, they have the right to change what your classification and the processing might take longer. Basically, if your course is MOSTLY chemistry, then list it as BCPM (but, they might change it and it might take a little longer to process)

 

[PrettyMz4Christ]

thanks

 

[moogy]

Digging up this thread b/c I'm taking biopsychology this semester. Based on what GBFKicks said, I think mine should be classified as a BCPM class although it's listed in the psychology department. I would appreciate it if someone would take a look at my course's website (syllabus, exams, reviews) to give me an opinion on whether it could be counted under BCPM. Thanks =)

PSY308 website

Well, I sent the AMCAS people an email stating my situation. Basically, they said that if the majority of the class is BCPM based, I should list it as a BCPM class (the course number and title do not matter). However, they have the right to change what your classification and the processing might take longer. Basically, if your course is MOSTLY chemistry, then list it as BCPM (but, they might change it and it might take a little longer to process)

 

[Skaterbabe74]

moogy - I'd say most definitely count it in BCPM. Your class is almost identical to the set up of mine and I'll definitely be counting it as BCPM even though it's through the psych dept. The only real differences between our classes is that we're using a text called Biological Psychology while you're using Physiological Psychology. Yet the topics covered and the order of topics covered is almost identical (we won't be going as in depth into some of the diseases as you will). Heck, first day of class, our prof (who's really a neuroscientist not a psychologist) said that neuroscience = biopsychology = biological psychology = physiological psychology, and that people who took an intro level neuroscience course through the biology department at other schools were really taking the same class we are.

Good luck!

 

[Ross434]

From what I've been told, I think the "checkers" look pretty carefully at what is listed as BCPM - since for a lot of people, it's what they wish they could beef up. I think they'll consider "Biopsychology" primarily a psychology course and categorize it as such. It seems not worth it - to try to slip something in that will raise eyebrows at least. Does it help that much?

What the heck are "checkers" ??

 

[sunnyjohn]

What is "Applied Mathematics" ?

Agape

 

[thanawalt]

I couldn't find the AMCAS help page. Would these classes be considered BCPM if they're classified under the Psychology department?


111. Basic Concepts in Biopsychology

111L. Laboratory in Biopsychology

137L. Laboratory in Behavioral Endocrinology

115. Neuropharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs

125. Human Psychophysiology

133. Psychopharmacology: Psychotherapeutic Drugs

134. Psychopharmacology: Drugs of Abuse

137. Behavioral Endocrinology

170. Nutrition and Behavior

132. Visual Neuroscience

168. Development and Plasticity of the Brain

 

[knio]

what about anatomy and physiology classes that were held under the exercise science or kinesiology departemnts? Basically, there is no difference in the coursework, just the departement that teaches it. Should I put these under biology?

I took Human Biochemistry offered by the kinesiology department and classified it under BCPM. It wasn't changed by AMCAS.

 

[shantster]

I couldn't find the AMCAS help page. Would these classes be considered BCPM if they're classified under the Psychology department?


111. Basic Concepts in Biopsychology

111L. Laboratory in Biopsychology

137L. Laboratory in Behavioral Endocrinology

115. Neuropharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs

125. Human Psychophysiology

133. Psychopharmacology: Psychotherapeutic Drugs

134. Psychopharmacology: Drugs of Abuse

137. Behavioral Endocrinology

170. Nutrition and Behavior

132. Visual Neuroscience

168. Development and Plasticity of the Brain

If you did well in those classes and want it counted as BCMP list it as biology on the AMCAS when you have to fill in the category. I listed my Physiological Psych course, Sensation and Perception, and Psych Stats in BCPM and it counted as it. If they don't think it will fit, then the AMCAS verifiers will change it for you.

 

[TMP-SMX]

Play the game... If 50% was biology, chemistry, physics, or math, then add it as it should be in your science GPA.

Chances are they are not going to change it. Anthropology classes many times can be definited as biology in the BCPM. Sometimes things are a bit iffy, but it's up to you to define them. After all, one class really doesn't make much of a difference at all. If you are putting multiple classes that obviously don't match the BCPM then it will not bode well for you.

 

[xcgirl]

Does anyone know if research for credit can count towards your BCPM gpa? Up until this year, we got grades for research (in neuroscience) and it is on my transcript...
Has anyone listed research as BCPM? thoughts?

 

[ssquared]

what are some science classes that can help boost your bcpm? astronomy?

Astronomy, when taught right, is HARD. I swear every non-science major freshman at my school sees "astronomy" listed as a course under our sciences requirement, and signs up thinking they'll just be looking at stars. That ain't the half of it. It's physics, lots and lots of physics, with really big numbers that make it even more confusing. Take bio instead.

 

[knio]

Astronomy, when taught right, is HARD. I swear every non-science major freshman at my school sees "astronomy" listed as a course under our sciences requirement, and signs up thinking they'll just be looking at stars. That ain't the half of it. It's physics, lots and lots of physics, with really big numbers that make it even more confusing. Take bio instead.

Totally agreed!

 

[TMP-SMX]

Does anyone know if research for credit can count towards your BCPM gpa? Up until this year, we got grades for research (in neuroscience) and it is on my transcript...
Has anyone listed research as BCPM? thoughts?

Yes. List it as biology.