Biology, A.S.

Program Description

The Biology, A.S. program provides students with the foundation for understanding organisms, including their origin, evolution, characteristics, and interaction with their environment. Students examine biological processes at various levels of organizations such as molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological. Students gather data and utilize various analytical skills for interpreting data and drawing conclusions.

This is a recommended program of study for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology, medical school and other healthcare professions, biological research, and biotechnology.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Biology A.S. degree will be able to:

1. Investigate natural phenomena through experimentation, using the scientific method.
2. Identify interactions among biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems.
3. Explain the key principles of modern evolutionary theory and its importance throughout the field of biology.
4. Identify prevailing theories of the origins of organic molecules and life.
5. Explain the central dogma of biology and how genetic information is transmitted across generations.
6. Evaluate relationships between structure and function at the various levels of biological organization.
7. Apply key concepts from chemistry and mathematics to solve biological problems.
8. Report scientific findings using proper terminology and formatting, and in adherence to ethical standards.

Sequence of Study

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include developmental coursework. See Academic Preparation  for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you.

Required Courses (in expected order)

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience Credits: 1 (Institutional Requirement)
• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (English Gen. Ed. Requirement)

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• MAT-1360 Precalculus Part II Credits: 4 (Mathematics Gen. Ed. Elective; Critical Course) or
• MAT-2410 Calculus I Credits: 4 (Mathematics Gen. Ed. Elective; Critical Course)

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• BIO-1130 Principles of Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Credits: 4 (Science w/ Lab Gen. Ed. Requirement)
• CHM-1010 General Chemistry I Credits: 4 (Science w/ Lab Gen. Ed. Requirement; Critical Course)
• INT-1010 Introduction to Information Technology Credits: 3 (Computer Literacy Institutional Requirement)
• EGL-1340 Writing About Technical Topics Credits: 3 (English Gen. Ed. Requirement)
• CHM-1020 General Chemistry II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• CHM-1030 General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 2 (Program Requirement)
• BIO-1140 Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 4 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)

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• Program Electives #1: Choose 4 credits from the *Program Elective Course List located below.

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• COM-1010 Foundations of Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• COM-1110 Public Speaking Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• CHM-2010 Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)

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• BMT-2750 Leadership Development Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• PHL-1330 Ethics Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Elective)

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  Program Electives #2: Choose 4 credits from the *Program Elective Course List below

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• ANT-1030 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• ECN-1030 Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• CHM-2020 Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• CHM-2040 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 2 (Program Requirement)

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• PSY-1010 General Psychology Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• SOC-1010 Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• *Program Electives #1 and #2 Course List 

  • To satisfy Program Electives #1: Choose 4 credits.
  • To satisfy Program Electives #2: Choose 4 Credits.
• BIO-1110 Environmental Biology Credits: 3 (Program Elective) and
• BIO-1120 Environmental Biology Laboratory Credits: 1 (Program Elective) or
• BIO-1270 Research Techniques and Methods Credits: 1 (Program Elective)

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• BIO-2010 Microbiology Credits: 4 (Program Elective) or
• BIO-2030 Genetics Credits: 4 (Program Elective) or
• BIO-2050 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Credits: 4 (Program Elective) or
• BIO-2060 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4 (Program Elective) or

• MAT-2410 Calculus I  Credits: 4 (Program Elective; only if not used for Gen.Ed. math requirement)

Program Total: 60 Credits

Transferability

Credit earned at any public institution in the state shall be transferable to any other institution if the:

• Credit is from a college or university parallel course or program;
• Grades in the block of courses transferred average 2.00 or higher; and
• Acceptance of the credit is consistent with the policies of the receiving institution governing students following the  same program. Refer to ARTSYS at artweb.usmd.edu and the receiving institution’s catalog to select transferable courses.

Need Help?

For help selecting an academic program or courses, consider using Career Coach, available at www.pgcc.edu/go/careercoach.