BIOLOGY

The Associate in Science in Biology for Transfer degree will prepare students to transfer into a curriculum at a CSU to pursue a baccalaureate degree in biology.

Biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, life processes, and their interactions with each other and their environment. A major in the biological sciences is recommended for students interested in pursuing further study in biology, botany, zoology, ecology/environmental sciences, microbiology, agriculture, forestry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics or marine biology. This program also provides an excellent foundation for studies in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry and pre-veterinary medicine and may qualify students for positions as biology laboratory technicians. The sequence of courses may be taken on a full-time or a part-time basis. Some classes are offered both day and evening.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.

The Cuesta College AS-T degree in Biology requires:

(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:

(A) California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).

(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.

(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

(3) Earn a “C” or better grade in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Apply the Scientific Method, including developing the ability to design, implement, and critically evaluate a Scientific Study and a Controlled Experiment
2. Communicate the application of the steps of the scientific method using proper research paper format and language.
3. Use the metric system to make measurements of length, volume, and mass
4. Outline the metabolic reactions of living organisms
5. Explain the basic principles of anatomy and physiology of organisms, as outcomes of evolutionary processes
6. Outline the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the major clades of organisms.
7. Apply evolutionary theory to the development of Biodiversity