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

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits

Gen Ed Requirements

BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology   4 credits  
MATH 161 - Precalculus I FNMT 118 with a grade of "C" or better 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

For ENGL 190: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently
For PSYC 201: PSYC 101
For SOC 231: SOC 101 or ANTH 112
6 credits  

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 101CHEM 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.