Health Professions Admissions
Science GPA Calculator
Calculate your science GPA for medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, and PA school applications. Supports three science GPA formats: BCPM (used by AMCAS for MD programs), BCP (used by AACOMAS for DO programs), and general science GPA (used by nursing, PA, and allied health programs).
Applying to medical school? See the full AMCAS GPA Calculator or AACOMAS GPA Calculator. Calculating your overall pre-med GPA? Use the Pre-Med GPA Calculator.
What Is a Science GPA and How Is It Used in Admissions?
Your science GPA is a separate grade point average calculated using only your science and math prerequisite courses. Unlike your cumulative GPA — which includes every course you have ever taken — your science GPA is a targeted metric that tells admissions committees whether you can handle the science-intensive curriculum of a health professions program. Medical, dental, nursing, PA, and pharmacy schools all use some form of science GPA, though the exact courses included vary by application system and program type.
Science GPA is not a self-reported number. When you apply through a centralized application service such as AMCAS, AACOMAS, or CASPA, the system automatically identifies your science courses, separates them from the rest of your coursework, and calculates the science GPA that is sent to programs on your behalf. Understanding exactly which courses count — and how to calculate your science GPA before you apply — prevents surprises and allows you to strategize around course selection and timing.
BCPM GPA (AMCAS)
The BCPM GPA is the science GPA calculated by AMCAS for MD medical school applications. It includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. All attempted coursework is included — grade replacement is not applied. The BCPM GPA is one of three GPA figures (Total, BCPM, AO) that MD programs receive from AMCAS. It is the most scrutinized science GPA metric in US health professions admissions.
BCP GPA (AACOMAS)
The BCP GPA is the science GPA calculated by AACOMAS for DO medical school applications. It includes Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — Math is excluded. Unlike AMCAS, AACOMAS applies grade replacement for repeated courses. Students who retook science courses and improved their grades will therefore have a higher AACOMAS BCP GPA than AMCAS BCPM GPA. The AACOMAS calculation produces four GPA figures: Cumulative, Science (BCP), Non-Science, and Repeated Courses.
General Science GPA
Programs that use NursingCAS, CASPA, PHARMCAS, or AADSAS calculate their own science GPA categories using the prerequisite courses defined by each system. NursingCAS calculates a separate science GPA from Biology, Chemistry, and related courses. CASPA calculates a science GPA from Biology, Chemistry, and Math. AADSAS (dental) calculates Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math and Other Science categories. These science GPAs follow the same weighted credit-hour formula but with different course inclusions.
Which Courses Count Toward Your Science GPA?
The courses that count toward your science GPA depend entirely on the application system you are using. The table below maps common pre-health courses to their science GPA classification across the major application systems.
| Course | AMCAS (BCPM) | AACOMAS (BCP) | NursingCAS | CASPA (PA) | AADSAS (Dental) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Biology I and II | Biology (BCPM) | Biology (BCP) | Science | Science | Biology (BCPM) |
| General Chemistry I and II | Chemistry (BCPM) | Chemistry (BCP) | Science | Science | Chemistry (BCPM) |
| Organic Chemistry I and II | Chemistry (BCPM) | Chemistry (BCP) | Science | Science | Chemistry (BCPM) |
| Physics I and II | Physics (BCPM) | Physics (BCP) | Not typically required | Not typically required | Physics (BCPM) |
| Calculus / Statistics | Math (BCPM) | Not included (AO) | Statistics counted | Math counted | Math (BCPM) |
| Biochemistry | Biology or Chemistry (BCPM) | Biology or Chemistry (BCP) | Science | Science | Other Science |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Biology (BCPM) | Biology (BCP) | Science | Science | Other Science |
| Microbiology | Biology (BCPM) | Biology (BCP) | Science | Science | Other Science |
| Cell Biology / Genetics | Biology (BCPM) | Biology (BCP) | Science | Science | Other Science |
| Psychology | AO (not science) | Non-Science | Non-Science | Non-Science | Non-Science |
| Sociology | AO (not science) | Non-Science | Non-Science | Non-Science | Non-Science |
| Nutrition | AO (typically) | Non-Science | Varies | Varies | Non-Science |
Classification is based on the department offering the course, not the course name alone. A Biochemistry course offered through the Chemistry department is BCPM at AMCAS. The same course offered through a Health Sciences department may be classified as AO. Always verify classification with your pre-health advisor or the application system's course classification guide.
How to Calculate Your Science GPA — The Formula
Identify all qualifying science courses
List every course that falls within the science GPA category for your application system. For AMCAS BCPM: all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math courses from all undergraduate institutions attended. Include repeated courses — both attempts count.
Assign grade point values
Convert each letter grade to its numeric grade point value using the 4.0 scale: A/A+ = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7, F = 0.0.
Calculate quality points per course
For each course, multiply the grade point value by the number of credit hours. This gives the quality points for that course. Example: Organic Chemistry II, grade B+, 3 credit hours: 3.3 x 3 = 9.9 quality points.
Sum quality points and credit hours
Add all quality points from all science courses. Add all science credit hours. Divide total quality points by total credit hours.
Round to two decimal places
Science GPA = Total Science Quality Points / Total Science Credit Hours. Round to two decimal places. This is the figure reported on your application.
Example — BCPM GPA Calculation for an MD Applicant
| Course | Grade | Credits | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Biology I | A | 4 | 4.0 × 4 = 16.0 |
| General Biology II | A- | 4 | 3.7 × 4 = 14.8 |
| General Chemistry I | B+ | 4 | 3.3 × 4 = 13.2 |
| General Chemistry II | B+ | 4 | 3.3 × 4 = 13.2 |
| Organic Chemistry I | B | 3 | 3.0 × 3 = 9.0 |
| Organic Chemistry II | B+ | 3 | 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 |
| Physics I | A- | 4 | 3.7 × 4 = 14.8 |
| Physics II | B+ | 4 | 3.3 × 4 = 13.2 |
| Calculus I | A | 3 | 4.0 × 3 = 12.0 |
| Biochemistry | A- | 3 | 3.7 × 3 = 11.1 |
Total quality points: 16.0 + 14.8 + 13.2 + 13.2 + 9.0 + 9.9 + 14.8 + 13.2 + 12.0 + 11.1 = 127.2
Total credit hours: 36
BCPM GPA: 127.2 ÷ 36 = 3.53
Classification: Competitive — Strong DO Programs and Some MD Programs
Science GPA Requirements Across Health Professions Programs
Minimum and competitive science GPA thresholds vary significantly across health professions programs. The figures below reflect general benchmarks — always verify with individual programs.
| Program | Science GPA Format | Minimum | Competitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD Medical School (AMCAS) | BCPM | 3.0 | 3.6 – 3.8+ |
| DO Medical School (AACOMAS) | BCP | 2.9 | 3.4 – 3.6 |
| Dental School (AADSAS) | Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math | 3.0 | 3.4 – 3.6 |
| PA School (CASPA) | Biology/Chemistry/Math | 3.0 | 3.2 – 3.5 |
| Pharmacy School (PHARMCAS) | Biology/Chemistry/Math | 2.5 – 3.0 | 3.2 – 3.5 |
| Nursing BSN (NursingCAS) | Biology/Chemistry/Related | 2.75 – 3.0 | 3.2 – 3.5 |
| Nursing ABSN | Biology/Chemistry/Related | 3.0 | 3.3 – 3.5 |
| CRNA (Nurse Anesthesia) | Sciences and related | 3.0 | 3.5 – 3.7 |
| Veterinary School (VMCAS) | Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math | 3.0 | 3.5 – 3.7 |
| Optometry School | Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math | 3.0 | 3.2 – 3.5 |
How to Raise a Low Science GPA Before Applying
Retake foundational science courses where you scored C or below
The most direct way to improve your science GPA is to retake courses in which you performed poorly. Focus on foundational courses — General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Physics — because these are weighted heavily in the BCPM or BCP calculation and are directly predictive of professional school success in the eyes of admissions committees. For AACOMAS, grade replacement means the retake directly replaces the original grade. For AMCAS, both grades are included, but the improved grade still meaningfully increases your BCPM GPA when weighted over the full credit-hour pool.
Add upper-division science courses to strengthen your recent record
Taking upper-division Biology or Chemistry courses — Biochemistry, Genetics, Cell Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Physiology — adds science credit hours at a level that demonstrates readiness for professional school coursework. If you earn strong grades in these courses, they raise your science GPA and signal to admissions committees that the weaker earlier courses no longer represent your current ability. These courses also reinforce the knowledge base tested on the MCAT, DAT, PCAT, or GRE depending on your program.
Consider a post-baccalaureate or Special Master's Program
Formal post-baccalaureate pre-health programs and Special Master's Programs (SMPs) are specifically designed to help applicants rebuild weak science records. SMPs in particular — often taught by faculty from a medical school's first-year curriculum — allow you to demonstrate that you can succeed at graduate-level science. A strong SMP GPA (3.5 or above) is one of the most compelling signals to medical school admissions committees that a weak undergraduate science GPA is not predictive of future performance.
Calculate the impact of each new course before you enroll
Use the science GPA calculator to model what your BCPM or BCP GPA will be after completing planned courses at different grade levels. This exercise shows you how many credit hours of strong performance it takes to meaningfully move your science GPA — and prevents the frustrating experience of completing coursework only to find it moved your GPA less than expected. A student with 30 existing BCPM credit hours needs 15 additional credit hours of A grades to raise a 3.0 BCPM GPA to approximately 3.2. Plan the math before you register.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do Next
Now that you've used the calculator, here are helpful next steps:
AMCAS GPA Calculator
Full AMCAS GPA with separate BCPM and Overall GPA for MD programs
AACOMAS GPA Calculator
Full AACOMAS GPA with grade replacement for DO programs
GPA Recovery Calculator
Model how post-baccalaureate work can raise your science GPA
Pre-Med GPA Calculator
Overall, BCPM, and non-science GPA for medical school applications