Will this count as apart of my sGPA?

[BAHMIT]

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I'm a Junior at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. It's registration time and I had a question about one type of class offered by Rutgers' Bio department the class is called Biology, Society and Biomedical Issues) . I emailed the pre-health advisor about the course and he got back to me saying that it won't count as my sGPA, however I suspect he only said this to discourage me from taking a course intended for-non science majors.

I'm only doing this to pad my science GPA, it fulfills a minor requirement as well as a core school requirement, but otherwise if it doesn't count towards my science GPA I'll drop it in favor of astronomy or another easy sGPA Booster class. Will this count as a science class?

Attached is the syllabus and the course site image

 

[SpoiledMilk]

I agree with your pre-med advisor.

 

[Thermer]

I took a similar class in a bio-related department and was able to count it towards my sGPA on AMCAS.

 

[BAHMIT]

I agree with your pre-med advisor.

How come? 🙁

 

[SpoiledMilk]

The course description indicates it is a "discussion of current topics and issues in human health and medicine from a biological perspective." Based on my interpretation of this description, it sounds more like a sociological course, which is not considered BCPM in AMCAS. However, I could be wrong.

Because of the ambiguity, wouldn't it be safer to just take astronomy which AMCAS states does count towards BCPM?

 

[mydogmolly]

no, it will not

 

[mydogmolly]

Have to disagree with everyone else. The department code for the course (119) is for Rutgers' Biology Department. It feels extremely unlikely that AMCAS will manually reclassify a Biology-coded course taken from the Biology department, with Biology in its course name, to something else.

so it counts as a science class even if it doesn't teach any science?

 

[Doctor-S]

I'm a Junior at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. It's registration time and I had a question about one type of class offered by Rutgers' Bio department the class is called Biology, Society and Biomedical Issues) . I emailed the pre-health advisor about the course and he got back to me saying that it won't count as my sGPA, however I suspect he only said this to discourage me from taking a course intended for-non science majors.

I'm only doing this to pad my science GPA, it fulfills a minor requirement as well as a core school requirement, but otherwise if it doesn't count towards my science GPA I'll drop it in favor of astronomy or another easy sGPA Booster class. Will this count as a science class?

Attached is the syllabus and the course site image

See Page 27 of 2018 AMCAS Instruction Manual.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...da78e/2018_amcas_applicant_guide_web-tags.pdf

Each course must be assigned a course classification based strictly on the primary content of the course.

You are responsible for selecting the correct course classification, but AMCAS reserves the right to change classifications if the assigned classification clearly does not apply.

If you disagree with a change that AMCAS has made to a course classification, you may submit an Academic Change Request. Applications are not returned for incorrect course classifications.

AMCAS is not responsible for incorrect GPA calculations resulting from incorrect course classifications. In the event that you are unable to classify a course satisfactorily, AMCAS suggests that you refer to the description of the course on the relevant school’s website.

AMCAS uses course classifications to calculate your GPAs. Classifications that are highlighted in the BCPM group indicate that such courses will be included in the calculation of your BCPM GPA, which comprises biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses. Classifications not grouped in BCPM indicate courses that will be included in the calculation of your AO (all other) GPA.

The department offering the course is typically not a factor in the course classification. For example, a course should be classified as biology if the primary content is biology, regardless of the department that offers the course.

TL/DR: No, based on the primary content of the course.

 

[skk_]

See Page 27 of 2018 AMCAS Instruction Manual.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...da78e/2018_amcas_applicant_guide_web-tags.pdf

Each course must be assigned a course classification based strictly on the primary content of the course.

You are responsible for selecting the correct course classification, but AMCAS reserves the right to change classifications if the assigned classification clearly does not apply.

If you disagree with a change that AMCAS has made to a course classification, you may submit an Academic Change Request. Applications are not returned for incorrect course classifications.

AMCAS is not responsible for incorrect GPA calculations resulting from incorrect course classifications. In the event that you are unable to classify a course satisfactorily, AMCAS suggests that you refer to the description of the course on the relevant school’s website.

AMCAS uses course classifications to calculate your GPAs. Classifications that are highlighted in the BCPM group indicate that such courses will be included in the calculation of your BCPM GPA, which comprises biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses. Classifications not grouped in BCPM indicate courses that will be included in the calculation of your AO (all other) GPA.

The department offering the course is typically not a factor in the course classification. For example, a course should be classified as biology if the primary content is biology, regardless of the department that offers the course.

TL/DR: No, based on the primary content of the course.

so it counts as a science class even if it doesn't teach any science?

I just have trouble seeing how a course that deals with the ethics and issues relating to biology-centered research wouldn't be classified as biology. Obviously anecdotal, but one of my upper-level courses was titled "Ethics in Biological Research" and while it was much more rigorous than this, it was thematically fairly similar. I was told by my pre-health office at my school to classify it as biology, and while not always the most reliable guide for information, it was verified by AAMC as biology on my AMCAS application without any issues too.

Looking up the course code (119:150) on the Rutgers site shows OPs school defining his course as having a central curriculum goal of "Understand[ing] and apply[ing] basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.". If the school itself considers the course's curriculum to be within the scope of biology, I admit to still finding it extremely difficult to imagine that AAMC will dispute the school's own classification of the content of the course, even if its shameless GPA padding using a science course not designed for science majors.

 

[Lawpy]

I think you can classify this course as biology and AMCAS will accept it. You aren't entering the course description into AMCAS, so there isn't any reason for AMCAS to change the course classification, especially given that the course title entered in AMCAS and seen in transcript is listed as BIO, which is BCPM.

Also, contrary to what SDN says, AMCAS is pretty flexible with course classification. Many applicants list some of their psychology courses under BCPM and AMCAS accepts them without change.

 

[Doctor-S]

I just have trouble seeing how a course that deals with the ethics and issues relating to biology-centered research wouldn't be classified as biology. Obviously anecdotal, but one of my upper-level courses was titled "Ethics in Biological Research" and while it was much more rigorous than this, it was thematically fairly similar. I was told by my pre-health office at my school to classify it as biology, and while not always the most reliable guide for information, it was verified by AAMC as biology on my AMCAS application without any issues too.

Looking up the course code (119:150) on the Rutgers site shows OPs school defining his course as having a central curriculum goal of "Understand[ing] and apply[ing] basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.". If the school itself considers the course's curriculum to be within the scope of biology, I admit to still finding it extremely difficult to imagine that AAMC will dispute the school's own classification of the content of the course, even if its shameless GPA padding using a science course not designed for science majors.

Understood ... and it's the OP's choice.

However, if AMCAS reclassifies the course as AO, that's AMCAS' choice.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

I agree with Doctor-S.

The AMCAS verification process is done by a person who might or might not reclassify the course if OP chooses to classify it as biology.

Why chance it OP? Just take astronomy and any of the other courses listed by AMCAS as BCPM and leave no doubt.

 

[Lawpy]

Understood ... and it's the OP's choice.

However, if AMCAS reclassifies the course as AO, that's AMCAS' choice.

I agree with Doctor-S.

The AMCAS verification process is done by a person who might or might not reclassify the course if OP chooses to classify it as biology.

Why chance it OP? Just take astronomy and any of the other courses listed by AMCAS as BCPM and leave no doubt.

Course descriptions aren't added on AMCAS. It's just the course title, course number and course name. It's unlikely that an AMCAS reviewer will reclassify the course from science to non-science since the course specifically has a BIO prefix and has biology listed in the course name. The change in course classification usually happens for borderline cases, such as someone trying to classify a PSY course as science when it isn't.

I suggest OP to classify the course as science and move on with it. I see no reason why AMCAS will categorize differently, especially since AMCAS is actually pretty flexible with course classifications.

 

[DJ Khaled's Pet Tiger]

I just have trouble seeing how a course that deals with the ethics and issues relating to biology-centered research wouldn't be classified as biology. Obviously anecdotal, but one of my upper-level courses was titled "Ethics in Biological Research" and while it was much more rigorous than this, it was thematically fairly similar. I was told by my pre-health office at my school to classify it as biology, and while not always the most reliable guide for information, it was verified by AAMC as biology on my AMCAS application without any issues too.

Looking up the course code (119:150) on the Rutgers site shows OPs school defining his course as having a central curriculum goal of "Understand[ing] and apply[ing] basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.". If the school itself considers the course's curriculum to be within the scope of biology, I admit to still finding it extremely difficult to imagine that AAMC will dispute the school's own classification of the content of the course, even if its shameless GPA padding using a science course not designed for science majors.

I took history of ecology and it counted on my BCPM so...

 

[mydogmolly]

I took history of ecology and it counted on my BCPM so...

you might be a very lucky case. My friend took Chemistry and Society, which was a legitimate biochem course studying physiological consequences of things like DDT, old paint, trans fats, etc, and that was reclassified as AO for her despite being listed in the chem department

 

[DJ Khaled's Pet Tiger]

you might be a very lucky case. My friend took Chemistry and Society, which was a legitimate biochem course studying physiological consequences of things like DDT, old paint, trans fats, etc, and that was reclassified as AO for her despite being listed in the chem department

Definitely seems arbitrary, I agree.

 

[Doctor-S]

you might be a very lucky case. My friend took Chemistry and Society, which was a legitimate biochem course studying physiological consequences of things like DDT, old paint, trans fats, etc, and that was reclassified as AO for her despite being listed in the chem department

See Page 27 of the 2018 AMCAS Instruction Manual.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...da78e/2018_amcas_applicant_guide_web-tags.pdf

The department offering the course is typically not a factor in the course classification.

 

[Lawpy]

The initial classification of courses at AMCAS as BCPM or AO is done by a primarily automated system that connects it the college catalog course database maintained by NSCH, scores each course as formally described in the listing as being primarily science or non science (I presume by ratio of words/terms previously defined and weighted), and provides and/ proposes classification to verifier. Where a score is too close to judge (say between 40-60), it will highlight the course, pop up the official description, and the verifier will decide

In this OP’s case, this course has a large chance of being an AO course; therefore if you are taking it with the primary purpose of paddong BCPM, you may be out of luck

My suggestion is to categorize the course as biology, given its course title and name, and let the AMCAS decide. Contrary to what SDN says, AMCAS is flexible with course classification and OP will have no problem having this course listed as science.

Also, one course doesn’t make a significant difference in GPA unless OP has failed or planning to fail that course, which is bad and she shouldn’t do it. But given the question, it looks like OP wants to increase her science GPA. One course doesn’t help significantly (OP needs to take more science courses and do well), so my focus is strictly on AMCAS classification rather than GPA improvements.

 

[Lawpy]

you might be a very lucky case. My friend took Chemistry and Society, which was a legitimate biochem course studying physiological consequences of things like DDT, old paint, trans fats, etc, and that was reclassified as AO for her despite being listed in the chem department

Definitely seems arbitrary, I agree.

See Page 27 of the 2018 AMCAS Instruction Manual.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...da78e/2018_amcas_applicant_guide_web-tags.pdf

The department offering the course is typically not a factor in the course classification.

And yet there are many applicants categorizing similar courses as science and having no problem whatsoever. They are even able to classify many psychology and economics courses as science without an issue!

I think SDN is exaggerating how strict AMCAS is when it comes to course classification. I am pretty sure AMCAS is flexible when it comes to this stuff.

 

[mydogmolly]

See Page 27 of the 2018 AMCAS Instruction Manual.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...da78e/2018_amcas_applicant_guide_web-tags.pdf

The department offering the course is typically not a factor in the course classification.

Yup, I was trying to emphasize your point

 

[mydogmolly]

And yet there are many applicants categorizing similar courses as science and having no problem whatsoever. They are even able to classify many psychology and economics courses as science without an issue!

I think SDN is exaggerating how strict AMCAS is when it comes to course classification. I am pretty sure AMCAS is flexible when it comes to this stuff.

I mean to be fair, you can easily have a neurobiology class listed as PSY or an econ class that is basically calc/statistics listed as EC. It would certainly be news to me if applicants were able to get Social Psychology or Macro Econ counted as BCPM

 

[Lawpy]

I mean to be fair, you can easily have a neurobiology class listed as PSY or an econ class that is basically calc/statistics listed as EC. It would certainly be news to me if applicants were able to get Social Psychology or Macro Econ counted as BCPM

Some were able to classify cognitive neuroscience and behavioral psychology as science, despite the courses strongly focusing on psychology and barely on biology/neuroscience. Since AMCAS is flexible with classifying courses with non-science titles as science, I find it hard to believe they will change courses with science titles to non-science. It could happen but probably rare. There’s a reason why that particular science department allowed for the course to be listed as part of them (and that’s seen in the course description), so an AMCAS override and reclassification to non-science is an unusual move.

The best way to resolve doubts is to take courses that are clearly science and go with them rather than pursuing borderline courses.

 

[mydogmolly]

Some were able to classify cognitive neuroscience and behavioral psychology as science, despite the courses strongly focusing on psychology and barely on biology/neuroscience. Since AMCAS is flexible with classifying courses with non-science titles as science, I find it hard to believe they will change courses with science titles to non-science. It could happen but probably rare. There’s a reason why that particular science department allowed for the course to be listed as part of them (and that’s seen in the course description), so an AMCAS override and reclassification to non-science is an unusual move.

The best way to resolve doubts is to take courses that are clearly science and go with them rather than pursuing borderline courses.

Interesting. Thanks this is really good to know

 

[William Shakespeare]

It all depends on how the course is coded. I took a chem course that was essentially a humanities class and it was deemed a BCPM course because of the way it was coded and boosted my sGPA