A.S. in Biological Sciences

The associate degree in biological science prepares students for a curriculum in a four-year institution leading to a baccalaureate degree in such areas as microbiology, organismal biology, cell and molecular biology, and teaching.

A.S. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Biological Sciences A.S. Degree will:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of biological concepts.
  2. Acquire scientific information from multiple sources including textbooks, the Internet, personal communication with professionals in the field, and educational computer software.
  3. Estimate and/or calculate the characteristics of biological systems and demonstrate an understanding of these calculations in order to better understand the natural processes that produce these characteristics.
  4. Formulate scientific hypotheses in order to distinguish between scientific and non-scientific questions and methods.
  5. Develop an understanding of relevant biological processes as well as processes from related sciences (e.g. physics, geology, chemistry) and apply these processes to predict the properties of biological systems.
  6. Examine how human activity has contributed to positive and negative changes in the environment to better understand and discuss past, current, and future environmental issues.

Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:

  1. Complete the District General Education Pattern, CSUGE or IGETC.
    If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the CSUGE or IGETC General Education Patterns. Students looking to transfer to an out of state or private college should consult with a counselor for the appropriate GE pattern selection.
  2. Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
  4. Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
Required courses:
BIOL 124Molecular and Cellular Biology5
BIOL 125Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity5
CHEM 111General Chemistry I5
CHEM 112General Chemistry II5
MATH 190Calculus with Analytic Geometry l5
MATH 165Introductory Statistics 14-5
or MATH 165H Introductory Statistics - Honors
or MATH 191 Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll
Total Units29-30
1

MATH 165 is degree applicable with or without MATH 065. If taken with MATH 065, only the units for MATH 165 will be counted towards the degree.

2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.

*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.

Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
MATH 190 Calculus with Analytic Geometry l 5
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5
ENGL 101
Reading and Composition
or Reading and Composition - Honors
4
COUN 160
Strategies for College Success
or Pathways to Careers in STEM
3
 Units17
Winter Term 1
MATH 191 Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll 5
ARCH 250
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism
or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day
or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History
or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art
or History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Dance
or History of Rock and Roll
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
 Units8
Spring Term 1
BIOL 125 Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity 5
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 5
ENGL 104
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors
3
 Units13
Summer Term 1
HIST 107
History of the United States before 1877
or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors
or History of the United States since 1877
or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors
or History of Women in the United States
3
SPCH 100
Interpersonal Communication
or Interpersonal Communication - Honors
or Public Address
or Public Address - Honors
or Small Group Communication
3
 Units6
Fall Term 2
BIOL 124 Molecular and Cellular Biology 5
PHYS 111
College Physics A
or College Physics A - Honors
or Physics A: Mechanics
or Physics A: Mechanics - Honors
4
CHEM 211L
CHEM 220
Organic Chemistry A Laboratory
and Organic Chemistry B
4
 Units13
Winter Term 2
ETHN 101
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies
3
POLI 103
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
 Units6
Spring Term 2
ARCH 250
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism
or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day
or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History
or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art
or History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Dance
or Ethnic Voices in Film
or Children's Literature
or Children's Literature - Honors
or Literature of the Bible
or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts
or History of Rock and Roll
or Great Religions of the World
or Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
PHYS 112
College Physics B
or Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism
4
CHEM 220
CHEM 221L
Organic Chemistry B
and Organic Chemistry B Laboratory
4
ANTH 210
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors
or Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology - Honors
or Introduction to Sociology
or Introduction to Sociology - Honors
3
 Units14
 Total Units77

Note: Course selections may affect total unit value.  

Career Opportunities

There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.

 

To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.