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.
Students completing this degree should meet with a STEM counselor for assistance with course selection.
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 or Cal-GETC.
If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the Cal-GETC General Education Pattern. 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 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 |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry A | 3 |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry A Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 220 | Organic Chemistry B | 3 |
| CHEM 221L | Organic Chemistry B Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 190 | Calculus I: Late Transcendentals 1 | 5 |
| MATH 191 | Calculus II: Late Transcendentals 2 | 4-5 |
| or STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| or STAT C1000H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors | |
| Select eight to twelve (8-12) units from the following courses: | ||
| Environmental Science | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | |
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry lll | 5 | |
| College Physics A | 4 | |
or PHYS 111H | College Physics A - Honors | |
| College Physics B | 4 | |
| Physics A: Mechanics | 5 | |
or PHYS 201H | Physics A: Mechanics - Honors | |
| Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism | 5 | |
| Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics | 5 | |
| Total Units | 45-50 | |
- 1
MATH 190 is degree applicable with or without MATH 090. If taken with MATH 090, only the units for MATH 190 will be counted towards the degree.
- 2
STAT C1000 is degree applicable with or without STAT 1000S. If taken with STAT 1000S, only the units for STAT C1000 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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing or Academic Reading and Writing or Academic Reading and Writing - Honors | 4-5 |
| MATH 190 | Calculus I: Late Transcendentals | 5 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| Course has a pre-req of CHEM 110 | ||
| Cal-GETC Area 3A: Arts | 3 | |
| Units | 17-18 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| MATH 191 | Calculus II: Late Transcendentals or Introduction to Statistics or Introduction to Statistics - Honors | 5 |
| Cal-GETC Area 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition | 4 | |
| Cal-GETC Area 3B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Citrus GE Area E: Personal Health and Wellness | 3 | |
| Units | 20 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| BIOL 124 | Molecular and Cellular Biology | 5 |
| BIOL 145 or ECON C2001 or ECON C2002 or MATH 210 or PHYS 111 or PHYS 112 or PHYS 201 or PHYS 201H or PHYS 202 or PHYS 203 | Environmental Science or Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics or Calculus with Analytic Geometry lll or College Physics A or College Physics B or Physics A: Mechanics or Physics A: Mechanics - Honors or Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics | 3 |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry A | 3 |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry A Laboratory | 1.5 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 or United States History to 1877 - Honors or United States History since 1865 or United States History since 1865 - Honors or African-American History to 1876 or African-American History since 1876 or History of Women in the United States | 3 |
| Units | 15.5 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| BIOL 125 | Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity | 5 |
| CHEM 220 | Organic Chemistry B | 3 |
| CHEM 221L | Organic Chemistry B Laboratory | 1.5 |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics or Environmental Science or Calculus with Analytic Geometry lll or College Physics A or College Physics B or Physics A: Mechanics or Physics A: Mechanics - Honors or Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics | 3 |
| POLS C1000 or POLS C1000H | American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors | 3 |
| Cal-GETC Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Units | 18.5 | |
| Total Units | 71-72 | |
This map utilizes the Cal-GETC pattern and incorporates Citrus College’s local area requirement.
Although the map is presented as a two-year pathway, many students may choose to complete the degree in three years or longer due to prerequisites, course sequencing, or the number of units they are able to take each term. Students may choose to take courses during the summer or winter intersessions to support a two-year completion timeline.
Please meet with a counselor to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP) that reflects your individual needs, timeline, and transfer goals and to explore options using the local general education pattern.
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.