Biological Sciences

Biology is the basis of all life, which happens to make it a great foundation for a wide range of careers. This degree program was created so that you can study biology while also taking a variety of liberal arts courses, giving you the foundation you need to pursue a four year degree in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, elementary and middle school education. Students in this program include those interested in non-allied health STEM-related fields. Students can also enroll to build prerequisites for select programs in the Science and Technology academic pathways. 
 
This program will teach students to apply the scientific method as a problem-solving method utilizing hypothesis, data collection and analysis and the effective presentation of results. They will also learn the biological and chemical processes essential to living organisms, and explain the hierarchy of organization in living things, from the chemical level to the biosphere. This program is open to all interested students 

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Soil and Plant Scientists - est. salary $73,368
Biostatistician - est. Salary $99,021 
Bioinformatics Scientist - est. Salary $91,566

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Transfer Opportunities

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Biological Sciences degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
BIOL 106 - General Biology I 4 credits   Scientific Reasoning
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)
3 credits   Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra 3 credits   Quantitative Reasoning
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology* or
SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)* or
ANTH 101 - Introduction to Anthropology or
ECON 181 - Principles of Economics (Macroeconomics) or
POLS 111 - American Government or
POLS 111H - American Government (Honors)
3 credits Students who wish to transfer to the Associate of Science in Biology degree program should take SOC 101.
Students should consult an advisor and the requirements of their chosen transfer institution before choosing their directed electives.
Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
BIOL 100 - Introduction to Life Sciences 4 credits    
  • This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate's degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes

Course Type

BIOL 107 - General Biology II 4 credits   Major Course
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry 4 credits    
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology 3 credits   Technological Competency
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)
3 credits   Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
FREN 101 - Elementary French or
HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions: Ancient to the 13th Century or
HUM 101H - Cultural Traditions: Ancient to the 13th Century (Honors) or
SPAN 101 - Elementary Spanish
3 credits    

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes

Course Type

BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 credits   Major Course
MATH 161 - Precalculus I 3 credits    

Directed Elective (Choose two):
ART 103 - History of Art: Ancient to Renaissance or
ART 103H - History of Art: Ancient to Renaissance (Honors) or
ECON 182 - 182 Principles of Economics (Microeconomics) or
HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or
HIST 102 - United States History: The 19th Century or
HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century and Beyond or
HIST 103H - United States and Pennsylvania History: The 20th Century (Honors)  or
HIST 121 - World History: The Distant Past or
HIST 122 - World History: The Recent Past or
ENGL 190 - Introduction to Literature or
MUS 103 - Introduction to Music or
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy* or
PHIL 101H - Introduction to Philosophy (Honors)* or
PHIL 211 - Ethical Problems or
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or
PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors) or
PSYC 201 - Child Psychology or
SOC 231 - Social Problems

6 credits Students who wish to transfer to the Associate of Science in Biology degree program should take PSYC 101 and PHIL 101.
Students should consult an advisor and the requirements of their chosen transfer institution before choosing their directed electives.
Directed Elective

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes

Course Type

BIOL 104 - Forensic Biology or
BIOL 123 - Principles of Biology I or
BIOL 211 - Genetics or
BIOL 225 - Ecology and Field Biology  or
BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology or
STS 101 - Introduction to Science, Technology and Society
4 credits If students desire to transfer to Associate of Science in Biology degree program, BIOL 123 is recommended at this time. Concentration Elective
CHEM 118 - Introduction to Biochemistry 4 credits If students desire to transfer to Associate of Science in Biology degree program, CHEM 121 is recommended at this time.  
MATH 162 - Precalculus II 3 credits    
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits   Oral Communication/Creative Expression
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

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