To classify as BCPM or Philosophy?

[johncalvin]

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So I have a class I could classify as Biology or Philosophy. I am pretty sure AMCAS will accept either one, especially after reading the syllabus.

Normally, this would be a no-brainer and I would classify it as Biology for the BCPM GPA boost.

However, it's only a 1.5 credit course which boosts my (by my own calculation) science GPA only 0.01 points, but from 3.69 to 3.70.

Classifying it as Philosophy, however, will allow me to show some breadth in my education...

 

[crasiman]

What department was it taught under? If these were under the phil department and were phil of science courses, I'd say they fall strictly under philosophy due to the greater picture of the course, even if they require or feature specific scientific learning during.

 

[johncalvin]

What department was it taught under? If these were under the phil department and were phil of science courses, I'd say they fall strictly under philosophy due to the greater picture of the course, even if they require or feature specific scientific learning during.

It fell under the biotechnology department. It's a hybrid course with some heavy examination of molecular genetics concepts along with papers on ethics in biotechnology.

 

[FlowLimited]

We can't offer suggestions without knowing details about the course. It's all about the content.

 

[BlueElmo]

Just put it under BCPM. If AMCAS doesn't like it, they will change it. No big deal.

 

[johncalvin]

We can't offer suggestions without knowing something about the course.

If only you had waited 1 more minute before reading the thread!

 

[johncalvin]

Just put it under BCPM. If AMCAS doesn't like it, they will change it. No big deal.

My problem isn't with AMCAS, per se. I was just asking if adcoms actually care about the breadth of your education? aka you're not a science robot.

If not, then I will definitely do as you say, and put it under BCPM to get a BCPM GPA boost.

 

[crasiman]

It fell under the biotechnology department. It's a hybrid course with some heavy examination of molecular genetics concepts along with papers on ethics in biotechnology.

Although ethics as a standalone subject fall under the branch of philosophy, almost all engineering courses feature ethics in some sense or another. That alone doesn't seem to qualify those or this as anything other than their primary focus (in this case, biotechnology). So, I'd say this is a biology course (going by AMCAS 2010 instructions classifying biotech as biology).

Just my opinion, of course, but I think it's fairly close to the book. I know whenever I came to such a question I chose the least risky to prevent any delays during verification.

G'luck with the rest of your app!

*edit: As for adcoms caring about your breadth of education, they certainly do... but one course (especially in this instance where I think it's pretty clearly bio) won't change their minds this way or that. Instead of testing your luck, I'd go with the safe option. I think adcoms would be more confused by a biotech class listed under philosophy, and that such a question would do more harm than good in making you look like a renaissance scholar.

 

[schrizto]

Sounds like an interesting course. I think it doesn't really matter what you classify it as.