Science GPA Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your Science GPA based on your completed science coursework. This is particularly useful for applicants to medical, dental, pharmacy, and other health professional programs.
Grading Scale Used:
- 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
- F = 0.0
Enter your science course details below. You can leave course names blank if you prefer.
What is a Science GPA?
A Science GPA (Grade Point Average) is a specific calculation of your academic performance in science-related coursework. It is particularly important for students applying to professional programs such as medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, and other health-related graduate programs. These programs often use the Science GPA as a key metric to assess an applicant's readiness for rigorous scientific study.
Why is the Science GPA Important?
- Admissions Criterion: Many professional schools have minimum Science GPA requirements or use it as a significant factor in their admissions decisions. A strong Science GPA demonstrates your ability to handle challenging science curricula.
- Indicator of Success: It serves as an indicator of your foundational knowledge and analytical skills in core scientific disciplines, which are crucial for success in advanced scientific and medical fields.
- Comparison Tool: It allows admissions committees to compare applicants from various undergraduate institutions on a standardized academic scale, focusing specifically on their performance in relevant coursework.
Which Courses Count Towards a Science GPA?
The exact definition of "science courses" can vary slightly depending on the application service (e.g., AMCAS for medical school, AADSAS for dental school, PharmCAS for pharmacy school). However, generally, courses that fall under the following categories are included:
- Biology (BIOL): General Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, etc.
- Chemistry (CHEM): General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry.
- Physics (PHYS): General Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism.
- Mathematics (MATH): Calculus, Statistics, Biostatistics.
- Other Sciences: Depending on the program, courses like Computer Science, Environmental Science, or certain Psychology courses (e.g., Biopsychology) might also be included.
It is crucial to consult the specific guidelines of the application service or institution you are applying to for an accurate list of courses that count towards their Science GPA calculation.
How to Use This Calculator:
- Identify Science Courses: List all your completed science courses that you believe will count towards your Science GPA.
- Enter Course Details: For each course, enter the number of credits it was worth and select the letter grade you received.
- Standard Grading Scale: This calculator uses a standard 4.0 scale where A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0, with plus/minus grades adjusted accordingly (e.g., A-=3.7, B+=3.3).
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate Science GPA" button to see your estimated Science GPA.
Example Calculation:
Let's say a student has the following science course grades:
- General Chemistry I: 4 Credits, Grade B (3.0)
- General Chemistry II: 4 Credits, Grade B+ (3.3)
- General Biology I: 3 Credits, Grade A- (3.7)
- Calculus I: 3 Credits, Grade A (4.0)
- Organic Chemistry I: 3 Credits, Grade C+ (2.3)
Step 1: Calculate Grade Points for each course:
- Chemistry I: 4 credits * 3.0 = 12.0
- Chemistry II: 4 credits * 3.3 = 13.2
- Biology I: 3 credits * 3.7 = 11.1
- Calculus I: 3 credits * 4.0 = 12.0
- Organic Chemistry I: 3 credits * 2.3 = 6.9
Step 2: Sum Total Grade Points:
12.0 + 13.2 + 11.1 + 12.0 + 6.9 = 55.2
Step 3: Sum Total Science Credits:
4 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 17 credits
Step 4: Calculate Science GPA:
55.2 / 17 = 3.247 (approximately 3.25)
The Science GPA for this student would be approximately 3.25.