Biology Program
2018-2019
Description
Biology is a natural science that focuses on physical and chemical processes of living organisms. This discipline explores how organisms acquire and use energy to maintain homeostasis, how they reproduce, and how they interact with each other and their environment. Scientific processes are emphasized as a means of answering these biological questions. Biologists rely heavily on a chemistry foundation since living organisms are chemical systems.
The Biology program serves three areas of study. Biology provides a broad background of studies for the biology major preparing for transfer to a four-year institution. The biology program offers support courses in human anatomy, human physiology, and general microbiology which may be used to satisfy prerequisites for nursing programs and other allied health fields. The biology program provides courses in natural science to fulfill general education requirements.
The following list is a sample of the many career options available for the biology major. A few of these require an associate degree; most require a baccalaureate degree and some require a graduate level degree: agricultural consultant, animal health technician, biotechnology technician, dentist, environmental consultant, field biologist, forester, horticulturist, high school or college teacher, marine biologist, microbiologist, public health technician, physician, pharmaceutical researcher, research biologist, and veterinarian. In addition, a background in biology may be required for the following: registered nurse, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, dental assistant, health information technician, medical technician, physician’s assistant and optometrist.
The three associate degrees in biology require completion of the courses listed below. Additional general education and graduation requirements for the associate degree are listed in the catalog. The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 units.
| Award Type | Units |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Performance: | |
| Applied Biotechnology | 8 |
| Associate of Science Degree: | |
| Transfer Track | 23-24* |
| Applied Biology Track | 31* |
| Allied Health Track | 21* |
*and courses to meet graduation requirements, general education and electives as needed to meet the minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Certificate of Performance
Applied Biotechnology*
Students may take the specific biotechnology courses and receive a Certificate of Performance authorized and issued by the academic department. It is not intended to nor will it be recognized as an official state approved program. It is intended to provide students with intensive laboratory skills development experience to meet entry-level employment requirements in the biotechnology industry.
*A Certificate of Performance is a departmental award that does not appear on the student’s transcript. All courses must be completed within the San Diego Community College District.
Associate of Science Degree
Transfer Track
| Courses Required for Major: |
Units | |
| BIOL 210A | Introduction to the Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIOL 210B | Introduction to the Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| CHEM 200 | General Chemistry I - Lecture | 3 |
| and | ||
| CHEM 200L | General Chemistry I - Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 201 | General Chemistry II - Lecture | 3 |
| and | ||
| CHEM 201L | General Chemistry II - Lab | 2 |
| MATH 121 | Basic Techniques of Applied Calculus I | 3 |
| and | ||
| MATH 122 | Basic Techniques of Calculus II | 3 |
| or | ||
| MATH 150 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | |
| 5 | ||
| Total Units = 23-24 | ||
Note: Only one Biology (BIOL) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Recommended Electives: Biology 100 , 101 (City), 110 , 115 , 120 , 130 , 180 , 200 , 205 , 215 , 230 , 235 , 290 , 296 (City).
Applied Biology Track
and| Courses Required for Major: |
Units | |
| BIOL 107 | General Biology - Lecture/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 205 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| BIOL 132 | Applied Biotechnology I (Miramar) | 4 |
| BIOL 133 | Applied Biotechnology II (Miramar) | 4 |
| CHEM 200 | General Chemistry I - Lecture | 3 |
| and | ||
| CHEM 200L | General Chemistry I - Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 201 | General Chemistry II - Lecture | 3 |
| and | ||
| CHEM 201L | General Chemistry II - Lab | 2 |
| CISC 181 | Principles of Information Systems | 4 |
| Total Units = 31 | ||
Note: Only one Biology (BIOL) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Recommended Electives: Biology 100 ; Physics 181A (City, Miramar), 181B (City, Miramar), 180A (City, Miramar), 180B (City, Miramar).
Allied Health Track
Consult the Nursing Education faculty (City College) or a counselor to verify current course requirements for associate degree and baccalaureate nursing program preparation.
Note: Only one Biology (BIOL) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Recommended Electives: Biology 100 , 101 (City), 115 , 120 , 130 , 180 , 215 ; Chemistry 130 , 130L.
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete courses required for the university major and the general education pattern required by that transfer institution. See catalog TRANSFER INFORMATION section. Additional courses may be required to meet university lower-division requirements.
Course requirements at the transfer institution are subject to change and may be verified by a counselor or by consulting the current university catalog. Many Baccalaureate in Arts degrees require third semester competency in a foreign language. Consult the current catalog of the transfer institution and consult with a counselor.