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.
Details
Academic Plan Code:
8602
Award:
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biological Sciences
Total credits required:
60-74
Award notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program.
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 Learning Outcomes
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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))
- 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)
- 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])
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 24-25 | |
| 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 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 12-20 | |
| 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). | ||
| Sub-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 |
| Sub-plan 2: Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, and Pre-Pharmacy sub-plan (Transfer to GCU) | ||
| 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 |
| Sub-plan 3: Pre-Physician`s Assistant | ||
| 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 |
| 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. | ||
| Cultural Diversity in the US [C] | Credits: 0-3 | |
| 0-3 | ||
| Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G] | Credits: 0-3 | |
| Any approved general education in the Historical [H] or Global [G] area. | ||
| 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 | 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 | Credits: 0-3 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR | |
| Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) | 0-3 | |
General Electives
| Course # | Course Title | 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. | ||
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.