Does research/lab credit count for stem if its classified under OBGYN 499: Independent Study?

[cherriesandroses]

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Hi all, quick AMCAS classification question.
I’m continuing bench-based OBGYN research for academic credit and will be enrolling in OBGYN 499 (independent study). The work involves laboratory research in reproductive biology (experimental methods, data analysis, biological interpretation).

When entering this course in AMCAS, would this typically be classified as Biology (BCPM) or Health Sciences (HEAL)?

Thanks!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi. I'm not familiar that an undergraduate program will allow an independent study code that's OBGYN as a course prefix. Most "colleges of science" don't have an OBGYN department. You should ask the AMCAS help desk, but my inclination says it gets classified first as Health Sciences (HEAL).

AMCAS® Course Classification Guide

The American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) Course Classification Guide provides examples of how courses are often categorized.

students-residents.aamc.org

 

[cherriesandroses]

it is through my colleges med school so that is why its under OBGYN since that's the department i do my research in. thank u so much will look at that! 🙂

 

[Mr.Smile12]

it is through my colleges med school so that is why its under OBGYN since that's the department i do my research in. thank u so much will look at that! 🙂

Could you ask your med school's admissions office for advice? Or whoever is the department chair or liaison with undergrad studies? That's very unusual in general, so that's why asking people at the school might help you.

ADDING: OBGYN may have an arrangement with your biology or undergrad research office since OBGYN departments don't confer undergrad degrees. You may have to use a BIOL prefix code, in which case, you have a more traditional BCPM classification.

 

[polymerization]

Just as an aside, considering directed independent study coursework is usually graded pass/fail, it honestly doesn't matter and is not worth your time investigating. Pass/fail coursework does not compose any part of the AMCAS GPA.

You could theoretically flip a coin, call it BIOL or HEAL, and just submit for verification when the time comes. Either designation is prima facie defensible, so it is most likely that verifiers will agree with you.

If they don't, and change it, it still would have zero bearing on your application in literally any way. Your application isn't returned until you hit something like 10 corrections or something.

 

[cherriesandroses]

Just as an aside, considering directed independent study coursework is usually graded pass/fail, it honestly doesn't matter and is not worth your time investigating. Pass/fail coursework does not compose any part of the AMCAS GPA.

You could theoretically flip a coin, call it BIOL or HEAL, and just submit for verification when the time comes. Either designation is prima facie defensible, so it is most likely that verifiers will agree with you.

If they don't, and change it, it still would have zero bearing on your application in literally any way. Your application isn't returned until you hit something like 10 corrections or something.

it is graded like a regular class - it's 4 credits per quarter so has a bit of weight on my gpa and could be a booster thats why im asking but thank you you're right 🙂

 

[cherriesandroses]

Could you ask your med school's admissions office for advice? Or whoever is the department chair or liaison with undergrad studies? That's very unusual in general, so that's why asking people at the school might help you.

ADDING: OBGYN may have an arrangement with your biology or undergrad research office since OBGYN departments don't confer undergrad degrees. You may have to use a BIOL prefix code, in which case, you have a more traditional BCPM classification.

will do thank you!! 🙂

 

[polymerization]

it is graded like a regular class - it's 4 credits per quarter so has a bit of weight on my gpa and could be a booster thats why im asking but thank you you're right 🙂

In that case, categorize it as BIOL and cross your fingers. If they change it in verification, c'est la vie. Good luck!

 

[cherriesandroses]

In that case, categorize it as BIOL and cross your fingers. If they change it in verification, c'est la vie. Good luck!

hahah ikr just gonna shoot my shot for it and hope for the best. Thank you very much