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Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biological Sciences

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO181 or
BIO181XT
General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I Critical course Gateway course SQ or SQ 4
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL)
or
CHM150AA or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL)
or
CHM151AA
(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I with Lab SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO182 or
BIO182XT
General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II SG or SG 4
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL)
or
CHM152AA
(General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II with Lab SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ 4
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT220 or
MAT221
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MA or MA 4–5
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
Elective General Electives Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement. 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM230 and
CHM230LL)
or
(CHM235 and
CHM235LL)
or
CHM235AA
(Fundamental Organic Chemistry and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory) or (General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Organic Chemistry I with Lab SQ in combo w/ CHM230LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM230 or None or None 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3
Elective General Electives Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement. 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO181 or
BIO181XT
General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I Critical course Gateway course SQ or SQ 4
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL)
or
CHM150AA or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL)
or
CHM151AA
(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I with Lab SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ 4–5
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO182 or
BIO182XT
General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II SG or SG 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL)
or
CHM152AA
(General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II with Lab SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ 4
MAT220 or
MAT221
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MA or MA 4–5

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM230 and
CHM230LL)
or
(CHM235 and
CHM235LL)
or
CHM235AA
(Fundamental Organic Chemistry and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory) or (General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Organic Chemistry I with Lab SQ in combo w/ CHM230LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM230 or None or None 4
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
Elective General Electives Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement. 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. L 0–3
Elective General Electives Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement. 3

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.