Use this calculator to determine your cumulative Science GPA based on your science coursework. This is particularly useful for pre-med, pre-dental, and other health professional school applications, where a specific BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) GPA is often required.
Select Grade
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B+
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Understanding Your Science GPA
Your Science GPA (often referred to as BCPM GPA for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) is a critical metric for admission to medical, dental, and other health professional schools. It provides an objective measure of your academic performance in the core sciences, which are foundational to these fields.
What Courses Count Towards Science GPA?
Generally, courses that fall under Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics are included. This can also extend to related fields like Biochemistry, Statistics, and sometimes even Computer Science, depending on the specific application service (e.g., AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS). Always check the guidelines of the application service you are using for a precise list.
How is Science GPA Calculated?
The calculation is similar to your overall GPA, but it only includes grades and credit hours from designated science courses. Each letter grade is converted to a numerical grade point (e.g., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0). The grade points for each course are multiplied by the credit hours for that course to get "quality points." All quality points are summed, and then divided by the total sum of credit hours for all science courses.
Formula: Science GPA = (Sum of [Grade Points × Credit Hours]) / (Sum of Credit Hours)
Example Calculation:
Let's say you have the following science courses:
General Chemistry I: B (3.0 points), 4 Credit Hours
Calculus I: A (4.0 points), 3 Credit Hours
General Biology I: C+ (2.3 points), 4 Credit Hours
Focus on Foundational Courses: Ensure a strong understanding in introductory biology, chemistry, physics, and math. These often serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses.
Seek Help Early: If you're struggling, utilize professor office hours, tutoring services, and study groups.
Strategic Course Selection: If possible, balance challenging science courses with other subjects to manage your workload. Consider taking fewer credits if a particular science course is known to be very demanding.
Retake Courses (if applicable): Some institutions and application services allow for course retakes, where the new grade might replace or average with the old one. Check specific policies.
Post-Baccalaureate Programs: If your undergraduate science GPA is low, a post-bac program can demonstrate your ability to handle rigorous science coursework.
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Select Grade
A
A-
B+
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C+
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C-
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D-
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