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:
- Demonstrate an understanding of biological concepts.
- Acquire scientific information from multiple sources including textbooks, the Internet, personal communication with professionals in the field, and educational computer software.
- 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.
- Formulate scientific hypotheses in order to distinguish between scientific and non-scientific questions and methods.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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. - Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
- Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
- Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
- Meet the 12-unit residency requirement.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| BIOL 124 | Molecular and Cellular Biology | 5 |
| BIOL 125 | Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity | 5 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| MATH 190 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry l | 5 |
| MATH 165 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 4-5 |
| or MATH 165H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors | |
| or MATH 191 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll | |
| Total Units | 29-30 | |
- 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.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 190 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry l | 5 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| COUN 160 or COUN 206 |
Strategies for College Success or Pathways to Careers in STEM |
3 |
| Units | 17 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 8 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| BIOL 125 | Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity | 5 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| ENGL 104 or ENGL 104H |
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 13 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 6 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies |
3 |
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| 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 or PHYS 202 |
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 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 77 | |
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.