General Science
Associate of Science General Science · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Natural Sciences Division www.elcamino.edu/academics/naturalsciences
The general science program provides students the opportunity to investigate diverse methods of inquiry by experiencing courses from a cross section of science disciplines. Students will develop critical thinking skills, learn to communicate effectively in writing, and acquire an understanding of major scientific concepts. Through course options, students will use mathematical concepts to solve problems and employ methods of scientific inquiry to understand the world around them. Completion of the degree requirements will prepare students with the skills and resources needed to facilitate academic and career decisions. Competencies will be assessed through regularly scheduled theory and laboratory examinations.
Required Core: 7-10 units
Complete one of the following two-semester sequences:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 120 | Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | 5 |
| orBIOL 120H | Honors Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | 5 |
| BIOL 110 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| orBIOL 110H | Honors Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| orCHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| orCHEM 21A | Survey of General and Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 21B | Survey of Organic and Biochemistry | 4 |
| orPHYS 1A | Mechanics of Solids | 4 |
| PHYS 1B | Fluids, Heat and Sound | 3 |
| PHYS 1A 4 units | ||
| PHYS 1C | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| orPHYS 2A | General Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 2B | General Physics | 4 |
| orPHYS 3A | General Physics with Calculus | 5 |
| PHYS 3B | General Physics with Calculus | 5 |
Complete an additional 10-13 units from:
a minimum of one Physical Science course:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 12 | Astronomy Laboratory | 1 |
| ASTR 20 | The Solar System | 3 |
| orASTR 20H | Honors The Solar System | 3 |
| ASTR 25 | Stars and Galaxies | 3 |
| orASTR 25H | Honors Stars and Galaxies | 3 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHEM 4 | Beginning Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 4H | Honors Beginning Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 21A | Survey of General and Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 21B | Survey of Organic and Biochemistry | 4 |
| GEOG 1 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 2 | History of Planet Earth | 3 |
| GEOL 3 | Physical Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 4 | History of Planet Earth Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL 15 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| OCEA 10 | Introduction to Oceanography | 4 |
| orOCEA 10H | Honors Introduction to Oceanography | 4 |
a minimum of one Biological Science course:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 32 | General Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 8 | Biology of Plants | 4 |
| BIOL 10 | Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
| orBIOL 10H | Honors Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 11 | Fundamentals of Zoology | 4 |
| BIOL 12 | Field Zoology | 4 |
| BIOL 16 | Field Entomology | 4 |
| BIOL 17 | Marine Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 18 | Marine Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 120 | Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | 5 |
| orBIOL 120H | Honors Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | 5 |
| BIOL 110 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| orBIOL 110H | Honors Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| MICR 33 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| PHYO 31 | Human Physiology | 4 |
Total Major Units: 20
GE Patterns
Complete one of the following:
ECC GE: 24 units
Required for local degrees (AA and AS).
Cal-GETC: 34 units
Required for transfer degrees (AA-T and AS-T).
Electives
As needed to reach a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units.
Minimum Degree Total: 60 units