Laboratory Science, Associate in Applied Science

Courses and Requirements

The associate in applied science degree program in Laboratory Science is designed to build the essential skills and knowledge required for entry level employment and/or transfer to a four-year college or university. The curriculum allows students with minimal science and mathematics backgrounds to enter the program and develop the skills needed to successfully complete upper level science courses. In the second year coursework, students will utilize state of the art equipment and participate in an externship. Program science courses must be completed within (5) years prior to the start date of the program to count towards completing the program. The four program focus areas are: Forensic Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, and Chemical Analysis. 

A minimum of 60/61 credit hours are required for graduation.

A grade of C or better is required in all Science courses in order to continue to the next semester.

NOTE: Students who choose the 3-credit externship (as opposed to the 6-credit externship) must take an additional 3-credit elective to graduate in addition to the 9 elective credits required.

NOTE: MAT021 Basic Algebra I must be taken before entry into the program.

Starting in the fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

Requirements

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO230Cell Biology

4

Science Technology Intensive

CHM121General Chemistry I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM201Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Public Presentation Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM203Instrumental Analysis

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

ENG101English Composition I

3

MAT125Statistics

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

SCI100Basic Lab Calculations

1

SCI105Laboratory Methods

4

Science Technology Intensive

SCI106Biotechnology

4

Science Technology Intensive

SCI281Research Experience Laboratory

4

Science Technology Intensive

Written Communication Intensive

Select ONE of the following (6 credits):

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
SCI291 and one 3 credit elective

6

SCI292Externship in Laboratory Sciences II

6

Science Technology Intensive

Courses with Prerequisites: SCI291, SCI292

Electives

AND complete all electives

Computer Science Elective CIS110 or higher 3-4
Math Elective MAT115 or higher
Transfer students must take MAT145 or higher in the STEM pathway.
4
Elective Recommended Social Science Elective to fulfill Global Awareness requirement  3
Free Elective
 3
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Choose one of the concentrations below

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Analytical Chemistry Concentration

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
CHM280Research Seminar in Chemical Analysis

1

Science Technology Intensive

Science Elective

4

Course with Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: CHM280

All prerequisites and corequisites must have a grade of C or better

Science Elective recommendations: BIO121 OR BIO122 OR BIO220 OR CHM221 OR CHM222

Biotechnology Concentration

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO280Research Seminar in Biotechnology

1

Science Technology Intensive

Science Elective

4

Course with Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: SCI280

All prerequisites and corequisites must have a grade of C or better

Prerequisites CHM201, SCI106 and ENG101 may not be taken concurrently

Science Elective recommendations: BIO121 OR BIO122 OR BIO220 OR CHM221 OR CHM222

Environmental Sciences Concentration

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
ERS280Research Seminar in Environmental Sciences

1

Science Technology Intensive

Science Elective

4

Course with Prerequisites and Corequisites: ERS280

All prerequisites and corequisites must have a grade of C or better

Recommendations for Science elective: BIO121, BIO122, BIO220, CHM221, CHM222


Forensic Science Concentration

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
SCI230Advanced Forensic Science

4

SCI280Research Seminar in Forensic Science

1

Courses with Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: SCI230 and SCI280

All prerequisites and corequisites must have a grade of C or better

Prerequisites CHM201, SCI106 and ENG101 may not be taken concurrently

Program Notes

Recommended Course Sequence Laboratory Science Associate Degree

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Year 1

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
Fall
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
CIS110Computer Applications

3

Science Technology Intensive

ENG101English Composition I

3

SCI100Basic Lab Calculations

1

SCI105Laboratory Methods

4

Science Technology Intensive

Spring
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
CHM121General Chemistry I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

MATMath Elective

4

SCI106Biotechnology

4

Science Technology Intensive

 

SCI230Advanced Forensic Science

4

OR

Science Elective

4

Year 2

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
Fall
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
CHM201Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Public Presentation Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM203Instrumental Analysis

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

Elective

3-4

MAT125Statistics

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Spring
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO230Cell Biology

4

Science Technology Intensive

SCI281Research Experience Laboratory

4

Science Technology Intensive

Written Communication Intensive

Elective

3-4

 

BIO280Research Seminar in Biotechnology

1

Science Technology Intensive

OR

CHM280Research Seminar in Chemical Analysis

1

Science Technology Intensive

 

ERS280Research Seminar in Environmental Sciences

1

Science Technology Intensive

OR

SCI280Research Seminar in Forensic Science

1

Summer
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
SCI291Externship in Laboratory Sciences I

3

Science Technology Intensive

OR

SCI292Externship in Laboratory Sciences II

6

Science Technology Intensive