Biological Sciences
A.S. Degree Biology · Chaffey College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Description
The Biological Sciences Associate in Science degree is designed to prepare students for transfer to a college or university with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related discipline. The program includes courses that explore life at the molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological levels, providing a foundation for further study in a variety of life sciences fields (e.g. medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, agriculture, botany, microbiology, zoology, entomology, wildlife, ecology). Although the requirements are similar to those of the Biology Associate in Science for Transfer degree, this degree includes an option for students to focus their studies in areas other than physics, such as microbiology, organic chemistry, or advanced mathematics. In consultation with a counselor, students can adapt their coursework at Chaffey to better articulate with the pathways desired by non-CSU transfer institutions [e.g. UCs or private colleges and universities]. Students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission, selecting an appropriate general education pattern, and other transfer requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate skill in scientific thinking, communication, problem solving and experimental methodology.
- Discuss current scientific hypotheses of the evolutionary origins of organismal diversity.
- Apply evolutionary theory and structure-function relationships, relative to interactions between biological entities and their environments, as unifying ideas across all levels of biological organization.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major requirements for the Associate in Science Degree (AS): | ||
| Required Core: | 26 | |
| BIOL 40 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 42 | Evolutionary Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 42L | Research Methods in Evolutionary Ecology | 1 |
| BIOL 44 | Biology of Organisms | 4 |
| CHEM 24A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 24B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| MATH 65A | Calculus I | 4 |
| Any one course: | 4-5 | |
| CHEM 75A | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
| MATH 65B | Calculus II | 4 |
| Total | 30-31 | |
Other Information
STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Local Program (Major) Code: S065
Program Control Number: 04755
TOP Code: 0401.00
CIP Code: 26.0101