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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biological Sciences
Major: 8602
Effective Term: 2023 Fall   
Award Type: AS

CIP Code: 26.0101
Program Availability: CG   EM   GC   GW   MC   PC   PV   RS   SC   SM  
Instructional Council: Biology
Total Credits: 60-64
GPA: 2.00
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 Biological Scientists, All Other
19-1029.04 Biologists
29-1229.00 Physicians, All Other
29-1051.00 Pharmacists
29-1021.00 Dentists, General
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 biology-related fields 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, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL)
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, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112)
3. Apply the scientific method to investigate fundamental and novel questions regarding natural phenomena. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, ECE/MAT280, GBS221, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY101, PSY230, PSY230WL, PSY231, SWU225)
4. Utilize technology to conduct experiments and collect, analyze and communicate data. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, CIS+++, CSC+++, ECE/MAT280, GBS221, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY230, PSY230WL, PSY231, SWU225, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MA], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE))
5. Adhere to standard safety protocols when performing experiments and collecting data. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112)
6. Critically evaluate the internal and external validity of scientific studies to inform decisions. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, CIS+++, CSC+++, ECE/MAT280, GBS221, GIS205, GIS211, GLG101, GLG101IN, GLG103, GPH111, GPH112, GPH113, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY230, PSY230WL, PSY231, SWU225, LANG, [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, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, GBS221, GIS205, GIS211, GLG101, GLG101IN, GLG103, GPH111, GPH112, GPH113, HON201, MAT206, MGT229, MGT230, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY230, PSY230WL, PSY231, SWU225, LANG, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MA], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE))
8. Collaborate with diverse individuals to solve problems. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM235AA, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, GIS205, GIS211, GLG101, GLG101IN, GLG103, GPH111, GPH112, GPH113, HON201, MGT229, MGT230, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY101, LANG, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MA], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE))
9. Demonstrate dependability, adaptability and persistence to set and achieve goals. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, ECE/MAT280, GBS221, GIS205, GIS211, GLG101, GLG101IN, GLG103, GPH111, GPH112, GPH113, HON201, MAT206, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, MGT229, MGT230, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY230, PSY230WL, PSY231, SWU225, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MA], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE))
10. Integrate social and ethical responsibility in decision making and actions. (BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, BIO205, BIO220, BIO234, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM230, CHM230LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, CHM238, CHM238LL, GBS221, GIS205, GIS211, GLG101, GLG101IN, GLG103, GPH111, GPH112, GPH113, HON201, MAT206, MGT229, MGT230, PHY101, PHY101AA, PHY111, PHY111AA, PHY112, PSY230, PSY230WL, PSY231, SWU225, [FYC], [HU], [L], [MA], [SB], [C], [G/H], (COM), (CRE))
Required Courses
+ BIO181++ General Biology (Majors) I 4
+ BIO182++ General Biology (Majors) II 4

+ CHM150 General Chemistry I (4) AND
+ CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
OR
+ CHM150AA General Chemistry I (5)
OR
+ CHM151 General Chemistry I (3) AND
+ CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
OR
+ CHM151AA General Chemistry I (4) 4-5

+ CHM152 General Chemistry II (3) AND
+ CHM152LL General Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
OR
+ CHM152AA General Chemistry II (4) 4

FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3
Credits: 17-20

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 27, 2023

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.