The Science GPA

[Discovery01]

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Hey everyone,
I have a question about the science gpa for dental school. Regarding the schools to which I'd like to apply, a year of bio, chem, orgo, physics, and a semester of biochem consist the 'science gpa.' First of all, is math (i.e. calculus counted)? Secondly, can you take other scinece classes (i.e. anatomy, microbiology) to boost up your science gpa? If so, whcih classes cna you take? Or is the science gpa just the classes that are required and if you don't do well, then you just can retake the classes and that's it? I really need to know this to plan the classes to take over the summer. For instance, UCSF doesn't count Anatomy as part of the 'bio' requirement. Thus, does that mean I can't use it to boost my science gpa? Also, do they also look at your non-science gpa or your overall gpa? (meaning a combo of your science and non-science or just your non-science). I'm sure you guys have been through all this before you applied so your feedback would REALLY be appreciated!

 

[Generallee]

Hey everyone,
I have a question about the science gpa for dental school. Regarding the schools to which I'd like to apply, a year of bio, chem, orgo, physics, and a semester of biochem consist the 'science gpa.' First of all, is math (i.e. calculus counted)? Secondly, can you take other scinece classes (i.e. anatomy, microbiology) to boost up your science gpa? If so, whcih classes cna you take? Or is the science gpa just the classes that are required and if you don't do well, then you just can retake the classes and that's it? I really need to know this to plan the classes to take over the summer. For instance, UCSF doesn't count Anatomy as part of the 'bio' requirement. Thus, does that mean I can't use it to boost my science gpa? Also, do they also look at your non-science gpa or your overall gpa? (meaning a combo of your science and non-science or just your non-science). I'm sure you guys have been through all this before you applied so your feedback would REALLY be appreciated!

To answer your questions:

1) Yes, Math is counted towards your "Science" GPA. Other classes like Anatomy, Microbiology, Astronomy, Geology, etc. are counted as Science as well. Basically, anything that is categorized as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Psychology are going to count towards the Science category.

2) AADSAS has a category of "Non-Science" and "Overall". Wether dental schools look at them is a question you will need to ask the admissions office directly. But, of course, all dental schools will look at the "Overall" but I'm not sure of the "Non-Science". Most dental schools will look at the "Overall" and the "Science" GPA's. Some will look at, in addition, the BCP (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) GPA.

 

[Discovery01]

Thanks so much for the response. What about the PBC score that everyonet alks about? What are all the gpas that the AADASC uses? So if I wnated to know my science gpa, I use all sceinece and math courses that I've taken (even if they are not just bioI and 2, orgo1 and 2, phys1 and 2, biochem, and gen chem 1 and 2)?

 

[aphistis]

Moving to pre-dent.

 

[thewince7]

Psychology doesnt count as science.

 

[wlee009]

What about statistics? Does that count as science GPA??

 

[whiskeysour]

Thanks so much for the response. What about the PBC score that everyonet alks about? What are all the gpas that the AADASC uses? So if I wnated to know my science gpa, I use all sceinece and math courses that I've taken (even if they are not just bioI and 2, orgo1 and 2, phys1 and 2, biochem, and gen chem 1 and 2)?

I think you mean BCP, and it counts for biology, chemistry, and physics

 

[ias2512]

Hey everyone,
I have a question about the science gpa for dental school. Regarding the schools to which I'd like to apply, a year of bio, chem, orgo, physics, and a semester of biochem consist the 'science gpa.' First of all, is math (i.e. calculus counted)? Secondly, can you take other scinece classes (i.e. anatomy, microbiology) to boost up your science gpa? If so, whcih classes cna you take? Or is the science gpa just the classes that are required and if you don't do well, then you just can retake the classes and that's it? I really need to know this to plan the classes to take over the summer. For instance, UCSF doesn't count Anatomy as part of the 'bio' requirement. Thus, does that mean I can't use it to boost my science gpa? Also, do they also look at your non-science gpa or your overall gpa? (meaning a combo of your science and non-science or just your non-science). I'm sure you guys have been through all this before you applied so your feedback would REALLY be appreciated!

Wait, wait wait....science GPA means ALL of your science classes right? NOt just the basics? Your worrying me...

 

[americanpierg]

would science = natural science? otherwise ud get psychology and economics

 

[thewince7]

I just know psychology doesnt count because im a psych major and if it did count it would have helped me alot.

 

[armorshell]

Wait, wait wait....science GPA means ALL of your science classes right? NOt just the basics? Your worrying me...

Yes, it means all of your science classes...

 

[Yellow Snow]

This link from a previous post breaks down what is and isn't a science class:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=250332&highlight=classes+science+gpa

 

[Discovery01]

This last thread makes actually very little sense. How can English be counted as a science gpa? The AADAS site is also not very helpful in actually verifying what's counted as "science" and what's non science. Also, what is the PBC gpa??

 

[Galen1]

PBC = Physics, Biology, Chem, so basically it's the GPA for your required science prereqs... However, I'm not exactly sure if higher level courses such as Physiology or Immunology get counted as Biology in that calculation.

 

[Yellow Snow]

This last thread makes actually very little sense. How can English be counted as a science gpa? The AADAS site is also not very helpful in actually verifying what's counted as "science" and what's non science. Also, what is the PBC gpa??

Hmm, this isn't the link thought it was. There was a similar list with * only next to the classes that counted as science gpa. Not sure were it went.

 

[baby_teeth]

hey, has anyone taken nutrition courses and know for sure that they're counted in the science gpa?

 

[BrotherofAbe]

hey, has anyone taken nutrition courses and know for sure that they're counted in the science gpa?

I majored in Nutrition and yes, all of the nutrition courses count (on AADSAS) as science courses. Good luck!

 

[litldime]

Does health and exercise science count under science gpa or non-science?
thanks...

 

[pbure]

Does health and exercise science count under science gpa or non-science?
thanks...

yes they count as science courses

 

[reapply2007]

When in doubt, put it down where you think it should. AADSAS goes back and reviews where classes are categorized and sticks it to you as appropriate. You might get lucky.

A large part of what is science and what is not seems to depend on which academic department is offering the class. For example Calc I offered in the psych dept would not be a science but when offered in engineering or math departments it is "other science." I called AADSAS on this and Carl said that guidance on this is under FAQ when you start your application. I tried to find it by opening a new application before I ultimately decided that since I already submitted, it didn't matter.

 

[jfitzpat]

Here are the classes as listed in the instructions for the AADSAS application.

BCP Courses (Biology, Chemistry and Physics Courses)
Examples: Anatomy
Biology
Biochemistry
Biophysics
Botany
Chemistry
Genetics
Medicine
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Pathology
Pharmacology
Pharmacy
Physics
Physiology
Zoology



Other Science Courses (Other science courses that do not fall under the categories of Biology, Chemistry or Physics)

Examples: Agriculture
Animal Sciences
Astronomy
Clinical Sciences
Nutrition
Engineering
Health Technology
Geology
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Plant Sciences
Sports Sciences



Non-Science Courses (Humanities, Social Sciences, Health Services and miscellaneous courses)

Examples: Anthropology
Art
Behavioral Sciences
Business
Communications
Dental Hygiene
Economics
Education
English
Foreign Languages
Forensic Sciences
History
Humanities
Music
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Public Affairs/Administration
Public Health
Social Sciences
Sociology
Social Work
Speech
Sports Administration