Biological Sciences
Description:
The Associate in Arts Degree in Biological Sciences is a non-select two-year program in the Science and Technology academic pathway primarily intended to prepare students for transfer to four-year programs in science and technology related fields, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, elementary and middle school education. Students in this program include those interested in non-allied health STEM-related fields, those who wish to build prerequisites for select programs in the Science and Technology academic pathway, and those who wish to obtain a two-year Science and Technology degree with the intention of transfer into a related field.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understating of the Scientific Method and utilize it for the development of hypotheses, the collection and analysis of data, and the presentation of results.
- Effectively communicate, in a classroom setting, scientific information via written and graphical methods.
- Summarize the major biological and chemical concepts and processes essential to the living organism.
- Explain the hierarchy of organization in living things, from the chemical level to the biosphere.
Program Entry Requirements:
This program is open to all interested students. Students are required to satisfy placement at the time of admission. Students who are identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of their degree program.
Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
Students in the Biological Sciences program are required to enroll in BIOL 100: Introduction to Life Sciences within the first 18 credits. To qualify for the Associate in Arts (AA) degree in Biological Sciences, a student must complete a minimum of 61 credits as prescribed and attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average).
Course Sequence:
Semester 1
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 106 - General Biology I | 4 credits | Scientific Reasoning | |
| ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors) | ENGL 101 Placement | 3 credits | Writing, Research, Info Lit 1 |
| FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra | FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement | 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 | Cultural Analysis & Interpretation | |
| BIOL 100 - Introduction to Life Sciences | FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or placement in FNMT 118 or higher | 4 credits |
Semester 2
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 107 - General Biology II | BIOL 106 with a "C" or better. | 4 credits | |
| CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry | FNMT 118 or MATH 118 placement and ENGL 101 ready. | 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
Semester 4
| Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits | Gen Ed Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | For BIOL 104 and STS 101: FNMT 118 or higher placement For BIOL 123: CHEM 121 or CHEM 110 with a grade of "C" or better and high school biology or permission of the department head For BIOL 211: BIOL 106 or BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a grade of "C" or better or permission of the department head For BIOL 225: BIOL 107 or BIOL 124 with a grade of "C" or better in either For BIOL 241: BIOL 106 or BIOL 107 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a "C" or better or permission of the department head | 4 credits | |
| CHEM 118 - Introduction to Biochemistry | CHEM 101, CHEM 110 or CHEM 121 with a grade of "C" or better. | 4 credits | |
| MATH 162 - Precalculus II | MATH 161 with a grade of "C" or better, or placement in MATH 162 or higher. | 3 credits | |
| ENGL 115 - Public Speaking | ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently | 3 credits | Oral Communication/Creative Expression |
Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:
61* Students who wish to transfer to the Associate of Science in Biology degree program should take SOC 101, PSYC 101 and PHIL 101. Students should consult an advisor and the requirements of their chosen transfer institution before choosing their directed electives.
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.
For More Information, Contact:
The Division of Math, Science, and Health Careers, Room W1-1, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8430 or the College Information Center (215) 751-8010.