CalcGrade

Science GPA Calculator

Calculate your BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) science GPA and overall GPA side by side for medical school applications.

Enter Your Courses

Science (BCPM) GPA

-.--

Overall GPA

-.--

AMCAS Course Classification Guide

AMCAS classifies courses into BCPM (science) and non-science categories. Here are common course classifications:

BBiology
  • General Biology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Cell Biology / Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology
  • Zoology / Ecology
  • Neuroscience (biology-based)
CChemistry
  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
PPhysics
  • General Physics I & II
  • Mechanics
  • Electricity & Magnetism
  • Optics
  • Thermodynamics (physics dept)
MMath
  • Calculus I, II, III
  • Statistics / Biostatistics
  • Linear Algebra
  • Differential Equations
  • Applied Mathematics

Note: Psychology, engineering, computer science, and other courses outside BCPM departments are generally classified as Non-Science, even if they have scientific content. Always check the official AMCAS course classification guide for your specific courses.

How It Works

The Science GPA Calculator separates your courses into BCPM (science) and non-science categories, then calculates each GPA independently. Medical schools review both your science GPA and overall GPA during the admissions process.

Science (BCPM) GPA:

Sum(BCPM Grade Points x Credits) / Sum(BCPM Credits)

Overall GPA:

Sum(All Grade Points x Credits) / Sum(All Credits)

Classify each course according to AMCAS guidelines. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math courses are included in your BCPM GPA. All courses, including non-science, contribute to your Overall GPA. This mirrors how AMCAS calculates your GPAs for medical school applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. Your BCPM GPA (also called science GPA) includes only courses that fall into these four categories. Medical schools use this GPA alongside your overall GPA to evaluate your science preparation.
AMCAS classifies courses based on primary content. Biology includes courses like anatomy, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, and zoology. Chemistry includes biochemistry, organic chemistry, and general chemistry. Physics includes all physics courses. Math includes statistics, calculus, and applied mathematics. Courses like psychology and engineering are typically classified as non-science.
According to AMCAS guidelines, biochemistry is classified under Chemistry, not Biology. This is a common point of confusion for pre-med students. The classification is based on the AMCAS course classification guide.
The average science GPA for accepted medical school applicants is around 3.65-3.70. Competitive applicants typically have a science GPA of 3.5 or higher. However, a lower science GPA can be offset by strong MCAT scores, research experience, and other factors.
AMCAS recalculates your GPA using their own standards. Key differences include: AMCAS counts plus/minus grades, repeated courses are all included (not replaced), and courses are reclassified into BCPM and non-science categories according to AMCAS guidelines rather than your school's department labels.