Biology, A.S.-T
An A.S.-T in Biology for Transfer will fulfill the requirements for students to transfer to a CSU institution as a Biology major. The courses in the A.S.-T in Biology for Transfer provide students with an intensive modern biology study designed to prepare students for upper-division science courses. Topics include the biochemistry, genetics, biodiversity, anatomy, physiology, and ecology of cells and organisms in an evolutionary context. Students will apply their understanding of biology concepts in the laboratory to develop an understanding of the methods of scientific inquiry, experimental design, and analysis of results.
AS.BIOL.OPTBAST or AS.BIOL.OPTCAST
Design Your Future!
Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities. Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
- Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.
- Are you a part-time student? Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.
CSU: General Education Option B
| Fall Semester 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-101 | College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) | 4 |
| MATH-211 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
| BIOL-150 | General Biology I | 4 |
| COMM-100 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| ENGL-103 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| MATH-212 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| ENVS-101 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| BIOL-151 | General Biology II | 4 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| STEM ONLY | ||
| PS-101 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| PHIL-101 or HIST-102 | Introduction to Philosophy I or Western Civilization Since 1650 (formerly Western Civilization II: From 1500 to the Present Era) | 3 |
| PHY-201 | Mechanics and Wave Motion | 4 |
| CHEM-101 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| ART-108 | Beginning Drawing | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| PHY-202 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Black History in the American Context | ||
| Latinx/Chicanx Literature | ||
| Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280) | ||
| Ethnic Politics in America | ||
| HIST-112 | U.S. History Since 1865 | 3 |
| CHEM-102 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 62 | |
Recommended: Students should take courses the summer before the Fall start of the semester.
CSUSM: The Mission of the Department of Biological Sciences is to provide students a top-rate education in the biological sciences. Central to our goal is the incorporation of a laboratory-rich experience linked to traditional and innovative classroom pedagogy and technology. This combination of laboratory and classroom activities engages students in the processes of biological inquiry and critical thinking, provides students hands-on experiences with biological principles, and trains students in modern technological methods. Students completing our program are well educated in the practice and knowledge of science and are well prepared to be productive members of society.
UC: General Education Option C
| Fall Semester 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-101 | College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) | 4 |
| MATH-211 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
| CHEM-101 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| BIOL-150 | General Biology I | 4 |
| Units | 17 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| COMM-100 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MATH-212 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| BIOL-151 | General Biology II | 4 |
| CHEM-102 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| STEM ONLY | ||
| PS-101 | Introduction to American Government and Politics or U.S. History to 1877 or U.S. History Since 1865 | 3 |
| SPAN-101 | Elementary Spanish I or Elementary French I or American Sign Language I | 4 |
| Units | 7 | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL-103 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| PHY-201 | Mechanics and Wave Motion | 4 |
| CHEM-112 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
| ART-100 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| HIST-107 | The History of East Asia Before 1600 or History of India or History of Mexico | 3 |
| PHY-202 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| CHEM-113 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Ethnic Politics in America | ||
| Black History in the American Context | ||
| American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240) | ||
| Latinx/Chicanx Literature | ||
| Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280) | ||
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 70 | |
Recommended: Students should take courses the summer before the Fall start of the semester.
NOTE: For students who did not meet the LOTE requirement in high school, they may fulfill Area 6 by demonstrating proficiency by completing ASL-100 American Sign Language I, FREN-101 Elementary French I or SPAN-101 Elementary Spanish I with a grade C or better. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for meeting this requirement.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| BIOL-150 | General Biology I | 4 |
| or BIOL-150H | Honors General Biology I | |
| BIOL-151 | General Biology II | 4 |
| or BIOL-151H | Honors General Biology II | |
| List A | ||
| CHEM-101 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| or CHEM-101H | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CHEM-102 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| MATH-211 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH-211H | Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| Complete one of the following physics sequences: | 8 | |
| Mechanics and Wave Motion and Electricity and Magnetism | ||
or PHY-202H | Honors Electricity and Magnetism | |
| Basic Physics: Energy and Motion and Basic Electricity and Modern Physics 1 | ||
| List B: Optional courses that may be required for major prep at transfer institutions 2 | 0-5 | |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy & Physiology II | ||
| Microbiology | ||
or BIOL-125H | Honors Microbiology | |
| Plant Biology | ||
| Chemistry of Life | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Calculus for Social Science and Business | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
or MATH-140H | Honors Introduction to Statistics | |
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | ||
or MATH-212H | Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | |
| Total Units | 30-35 | |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Units for Major | 30-35 | |
| CSU General Education for STEM or IGETC for STEM | 31-33 | |
Possible double counting: 10 | ||
| Transferable Electives (as need to reach 60 CSU transferable units) | ||
Total Units for A.S.-T Degree: 60 units
- 1
Most transfer schools require Biology majors to take the calculus based physics series, PHY-201 and PHY-202. Please speak with an MSJC counselor to make sure that PHY-101 and PHY-102 will satisfy the requirements for the Biology transfer programs you are considering.
- 2
Please speak with an MSJC counselor regarding major requirements at specific CSUs.
The STEM General Education for a STEM Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) can only be applied to the Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science ADT Degrees.
The overall requirements for an approved STEM Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) can be met by completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University. Completion of California State University General Education Breadth for STEM (CSUGE) requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum for STEM requirements (IGETC).
CSUGE Breadth for STEM (33 units): Students are to complete all CSUGE requirements. However, the CSUGE for STEM requires:
- AREA A- 9 semester units/12 quarter units: one course from A1, one course from A2, and one course from A3)
- AREA B- 9 semester units/12 quarter units: one course from B1, one course from B2, and one course from B3 (if not met in B1/B2), and one course from B4
- AREA C- 6 semester units/9 quarter units: one course from C1 and one course from C2
- AREA D- 3 semester units/ 4 quarter units: one course
- AREA E- 3 semester units/ 4 quarter units: one course
- AREA F- 3 semester units/ 4 quarter unit: one course.
IGETC for STEM (31 units): Students are to complete all IGETC requirements. However, the IGETC for STEM requires:
- AREA 1 -9 semester units/12 quarter units: one course from 1A, one course from 1B, and one course from 1C for students transferring to a CSU
- AREA 2- 3 semester units/4 quarter units: one course
- AREA 3- 6 semester units/9 quarter units: one course from 3A and one course from 3B
- AREA 4- 3 semester units/4 quarter units: one course
- AREA 5- 7 semester units/9 quarter units: one course from 5A, one course from 5B, and one course from 5C if not met in 5A/5B
- AREA 6 (for UC schools) meeting Language other than English (LOTE) competency (by completing at minimum, elementary language course; AP exam; high school course work)
- AREA 7- 3 semester units/ 4 quarter units: one course.
Additional Requirements
- Students are to confirm that the CSU or UC major/program or college they are applying to accepts partial CSUGE and IGETC certification. Although CSUGE and IGETC for STEM is an option, it is important that students prioritize completing major-preparation courses for the specific campuses and programs students are considering.
- Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
- Completion of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is acceptable if pass is defined as a grade of C or better. ADTs are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. A student completing an ADT is guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not a particular campus or major. Students should meet with a Counselor to develop a comprehensive educational plan to further understand university and transfer requirements.
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