MCCCD Program Description

Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biological Sciences

Major: 8602
Effective Term: 2019 Fall
Award Type: AS

CIP Code: 26.0101

Program Availability: CG EM GC GW MC PC PV RS SC SM
Total Credits: 60-74
GPA: 2.0

SOC Code: Upon completion of a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as:
19-4021.00 Biological Technicians

Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as:
19-1029.00 Bioinformatic Scientists, Molecular and Cellular Biologists, Geneticists
19-1020.00 Biologists
29-1229.00 Physicians, All Other
29-1051.00 Pharmacists
29-1021.00 Dentists
29-1041.00 Optometrists
29-1131.00 Veterinarians
29-1081.00 Podiatrists
29-1071.00 Physician Assistants

Description: The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Biological Sciences provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in biological sciences and/or are preparing for application to professional graduate programs in various medical fields. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as a biological research lab or field technician. With a graduate degree, students may pursue a number of careers, including but not limited to, bioinformatic scientists, molecular and cellular biologists, ecologists, wildlife conservationists and environmental scientists, marine biologists, secondary school (grades 7-12) teachers and university professors, pharmaceutical developer, food safety investigator, geneticists, physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, dentists, and optometrists and veterinarians.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the relationship between structure and function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL) 2. Apply fundamental theories of physical and life sciences to explain the diversity of living things and modes of energy exchange. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, PHY111, PHY112) 3. Apply the scientific method to investigate fundamental and novel questions regarding natural phenomena. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, PHY111, PHY112, PSY230) 4. Utilize technology to conduct experiments and collect, analyze and communicate data. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230LL, CHM235LL, CHM236LL, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, PHY111, PHY112, PSY230, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MAT], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE)) 5. Adhere to standard safety protocols when performing experiments and collecting data. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230LL, CHM235LL, CHM236LL, PHY111, PHY112) 6. Critically evaluate the internal and external validity of scientific studies to inform decisions. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, PHY111, PHY112, PSY230, [L], [C], [G/H]) 7. Effectively communicate orally, visually and in writing in an articulate, respectful and culturally responsive manner. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, MAT206, PHY111, PHY112, PSY230, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MAT], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE)) 8. Collaborate with diverse individuals to solve problems. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, PHY111, PHY112, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MAT], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE)) 9. Demonstrate dependability, adaptability and persistence to set and achieve goals. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, PHY111, PHY112, PSY230, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MAT], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE)) 10. Integrate social and ethical responsibility in decision making and actions. (BIO181, BIO182, BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, MAT206, PHY111, PHY112, PSY230, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MAT], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE))

Program Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program. + indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites Admission to graduate/professional programs is competitive. GPA in science courses (as well as cumulative GPA) is often an important selection criterion. Understanding of course content is important in preparation for exams such MCAT, DAT, PCAT and GRE that are generally weighted in admissions rankings.

Program Prerequisites
None

Program Prerequisites
	Credits:

Required Courses
+ BIO181 General Biology (Majors) I 4 + BIO182 General Biology (Majors) II 4 + BIO205 Microbiology (4) OR + BIO220 Biology of Microorganisms (4) 4 + CHM151 General Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) OR + CHM150 General Chemistry I (4) AND + CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) OR + CHM150AA General Chemistry (5) OR + CHM151AA General Chemistry (4) 4-5 + CHM152 General Chemistry II (3) AND + CHM152LL General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) OR + CHM152AA General Chemistry II (4) 4 + PHY111 General Physics I 4			Credits: 24-25

Restricted Electives
Complete all courses in the transfer option that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. If your intended transfer institution is not listed, then select a combination of courses from the transfer options listed in order to meet the minimum credits required in the Restricted Electives section. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to prevent exceeding your university transfer program`s maximum transferable credits (typically 64). Transfer Plan 1: Biology major and Pre-Professional (Transfer to ASU, NAU, UA for bachelor`s degree) Total Credits: 12 + PHY112 General Physics II 4 + CHM235 General Organic Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM235LL General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) 4 + CHM236 General Organic Chemistry IIA (3) AND + CHM236LL General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory (1) 4 Transfer Plan 2: Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, and Pre-Pharmacy (Transfer to GCU) Credits: 20 + PHY112 General Physics II 4 + CHM235 General Organic Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM235LL General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) 4 + CHM236 General Organic Chemistry IIA (3) AND + CHM236LL General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory (1) 4 + BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 + BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Transfer Plan 3: Pre-Physician`s Assistant Credits: 15-16 + BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 + BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 + MAT206 Elements of Statistics (3) OR + PSY230 Introduction to Statistics (4) 3-4 + CHM230 Fundamental Organic Chemistry (3) AND + CHM230LL Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) OR + CHM235 General Organic Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM235LL General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) 4	Credits: 12-20

Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
AGEC-S			Credits: 22-38
A single course with an [HU], [SB], or [L] designation may also be used to satisfy the Oral Communication, Critical Reading, or Awareness Area ([C], [G] and/or [H]) requirement(s). A single course with both the [HU] and [L] designations may be used to satisfy both of these areas. A single course with both the [SB] and [L] designations may be used to satisfy both of these areas.


First-Year Composition [FYC]			Credits: 6
+ ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND + ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 6

Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area. Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously.

Mathematics [MA]			Credits: 4-5
+ MAT220 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (5) OR + MAT221 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4) 4-5

Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]			Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area.

Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]			Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] area.

Natural Sciences [SG]/[SQ]			Credits: 0
Met by BIO181 and BIO182 in Required Courses Area.

Awareness Areas			Credits: 0-6
These requirements may be shared with Core Requirements.

MCCCD Additional Requirements
MCCCD Additional Requirements	Credits: 0-6
Courses in this area may also be applied to the AGEC Core Requirements. To minimize total credits required for degree and maximize transferable credits, it is recommended that courses be selected that meet more than one requirement wherever possible.

Oral Communication (COM)			Credits: 0-3
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR COM110 Interpersonal Communication (3) OR + COM225 Public Speaking (3) OR COM230 Small Group Communication (3) 0-3

Critical Reading (CRE)			Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) 0-3

General Electives
	Credits:
Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with an Academic Advisor.

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: December 11, 2018

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS]			Credits:

Subject Options			Credits: 0
Met by (CHM151 AND CHM151LL) OR (CHM150 AND CHM151LL) OR CHM150AA OR CHM151AA AND (CHM152 AND CHM152LL) OR CHM152AA in Required Courses area.

Cultural Diversity in the US [C]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course in the Cultural Diversity in the U.S. [C] area.

Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education in the Historical [H] or Global [G] area.