Biology, Associate in Science

Courses and Requirements

The associate in science degree in Biology is designed to provide the foundation for a career in the biological sciences and is primarily a transfer program that prepares students for further study towards the bachelor’s degree in biology. This is achieved by providing an intensive science program with coursework and laboratory experiences in biology, chemistry and other natural sciences, as well as a background in mathematics and the liberal arts. A minimum of 71 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.

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 Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO111	Introductory Biology I	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive
BIO112	Introductory Biology II	4	Science Technology Intensive
BIO215	General Ecology	4	Science Technology Intensive
BIO230	Cell Biology	4	Science Technology Intensive
CHM121	General Chemistry I	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive
CHM122	General Chemistry II	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive
ENG101	English Composition I	3
ENG102	English Composition II	3

Select ONE of the following sequences: (8 credits)

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
MAT125	Statistics	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive
MAT171	Calculus for Business/Social/Life Sciences	4
	OR
MAT251	Calculus I	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive
MAT252	Calculus II	4

Select ONE of the following sequences: (8 credits)

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
PHS111	College Physics I	4
PHS112	College Physics II	4
	OR
PHS131	Engineering Physics I	4	Science Technology Intensive
PHS132	Engineering Physics II	4	Science Technology Intensive

Courses with Prerequisites: BIO112, BIO230, CHM121, CHM122, ENG102, MAT125, MAT171, MAT251, MAT252, PHS111, PHS112, PHS131, PHS132

Electives:

Social Science Electives. Behavioral Science, Social Science, Economics, History, Government	9	Students must select courses that meet core academic skill requirements in Global Awareness, Public Presentation, Information Literacy and Written Communication
Humanities Electives. Communications, English, Fine & Performing Arts, Graphic Arts, Liberal Arts/Humanities, Literature, Philosophy & Religion	9	Students must select courses that meet core academic skill requirements in Global Awareness, Public Presentation, Information Literacy and Written Communication
Biology Electives. BIO108 or higher except BIO115. Student may also take SCI200 for 3 credits to fulfill this requirement.	7-8	Students must select courses that meet core academic skill requirements in Global Awareness, Public Presentation, Information Literacy and Written Communication

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Program Notes

Recommended Course Sequence Biology Associate in Science Degree

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Year 1

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Fall

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO111	Introductory Biology I	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive
CHM121	General Chemistry I	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive
ENG101	English Composition I	3

MAT171	Calculus for Business/Social/Life Sciences	4
	OR
MAT251	Calculus I	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive

Spring

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO112	Introductory Biology II	4	Science Technology Intensive
CHM122	General Chemistry II	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive
ENG102	English Composition II	3

MAT125	Statistics	4	Quantitative Reason Intensive
	OR
MAT252	Calculus II	4

Summer

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
	Social Science Elective	3
	Humanities Elective	3

Year 2

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Fall

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO215	General Ecology	4	Science Technology Intensive

PHS111	College Physics I	4
	OR
PHS131	Engineering Physics I	4	Science Technology Intensive

BIO	Biology Elective	3-4
	Social Science Elective	3

Spring

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
BIO230	Cell Biology	4	Science Technology Intensive

PHS112	College Physics II	4
	OR
PHS132	Engineering Physics II	4	Science Technology Intensive

BIO	Biology Elective	3-4
	Humanities Elective	3

Summer

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
	Social Science Elective	3
	Humanities Elective	3

Summer

Course Number	Title	Credits	Core Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
	Social Science Elective	3
	Humanities Elective	3