Biological Sciences

Embrace the scientific method and explore the wonders of living organisms. This program is a versatile foundation for careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, education, and more.

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Program Duration: 2 Year Program
Degree Type: Associate in Arts (A.A.)
Total Credit Hours: 61

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About This Program

Biology is the foundation of life and offers a versatile base for various careers. This program combines biology with liberal arts courses, preparing students for degrees in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and education. It caters to those interested in STEM fields beyond allied health, serving as prerequisites for Science and Technology pathways. The curriculum emphasizes the scientific method for problem-solving, covering hypothesis formulation, data collection, and effective result presentation. Students learn essential biological and chemical processes in living organisms, exploring organizational hierarchies from the chemical level to the biosphere. This program is open to all interested students.

Quick Information

General Contact Call 215-751-8010

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Transfer Opportunities

A private university known for its diverse academic programs and global perspective, located in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Public university in central Pennsylvania offering diverse programs.

A private liberal arts college located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.

A historically Black public university known for rigorous academic programs, dedicated faculty, and supportive student learning resources.

A private Christian university known for its faith-based education.

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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

Notes:

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	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

Notes:

Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Start planning for transfer:
- Did you know our dual admissions partnerships include scholarship opportunities?
- Learn more about our transfer agreements and use our interactive search tool for your program’s transfer options
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

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

Notes:

Meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship—You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

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

Notes:

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:
- Meet with a counselor at your selected dual admissions transfer college
- Meet with one of our College’s counselors or an advisor to review transfer requirements
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

A biologist works with samples in a lab.

Launch Your Career in Biological Sciences

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

Learn More

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

Career Outlook

$89,248

Median Salary of an Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

21,213

Number of Jobs in the Region

+12.8%

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Featured Career

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

Starting Pay: $46,727

a student and teacher smile in biology class

Typical Tasks

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.

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