# General Studies with Emphasis in Natural Science (Associate in Arts)

Evergreen Valley College · 2025-2026 Catalog · Department: Biology

Source: https://catalog.evc.edu/degrees-certificates/biology/general-studies-emphasis-natural-science-associate-arts/

The Associate in Arts Degree program in General Studies with Emphasis in Natural Science outlines a course of study that emphasizes breadth in the physical and life sciences.  Students will learn to apply scientific methods to investigate both physical and biological aspects of the environment. Students completing this program will satisfy lower division science and general education requirements for CSU.  Associate degrees require that students earn a “C” or better in all major or area of emphasis courses.  A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

### Learning Outcomes

#### Program Learning Outcomes

-   Employ the scientific method in the design, implementation, data collection, and analysis of experiments or observational studies.
-   Practice current or industry-standard laboratory techniques and lab safety procedures.
-   Explain scientific concepts and processes from levels ranging from biochemical to ecological.

### Required Courses

#### Area of Emphasis Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Life Science Courses** | | 10 |
| **Minimum 10 units from the following:** | |  |
| ↳ BIOL 021 | General Biology |  |
| ↳ BIOL 062 | Plants and Human Welfare |  |
| ↳ BIOL 063 | Ecology: Connections of Life, Environment and Humans |  |
| ↳ BIOL 064 | Marine Biology |  |
| ↳ BIOL 065 | Wildlife Biology |  |
| ↳ BIOL 080C | Field Biology - Coastal California |  |
| ↳ BIOL 080D | Field Biology - Desert and Dunes |  |
| ↳ BIOL 080F | Field Biology - Forest and River Ecology |  |
| ↳ BIOL 080G | Field Biology - Volcanoes of California |  |
| ↳ ENVIR 010 | Environmental Science * |  |
| **Physical Science Courses** | | 8 |
| **Minimum 8 units from the following:** | |  |
| ↳ ASTRO 010 | Introduction to Astronomy |  |
| ↳ ASTRO 010L | Introductory Astronomy Lab |  |
| ↳ CHEM 015 | Fundamentals of Chemistry |  |
| ↳ CHEM 030A | Introduction to Chemistry |  |
| ↳ ENVIR 010 | Environmental Science * |  |
| ↳ OCEAN 010 | Descriptive Oceanography |  |
| ↳ PHYS 002A | Algebra/Trigonometry-Based Physics I |  |

*. ENVIR 010 can satisfy either Life Science **or** Physical Science requirement, but can only be used once.

#### Total Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Area of Emphasis Requirements** | | 18 |
| **General Education Requirements** | | 34 |
| **Electives (as needed to complete 60 units of AA applicable courses)** | |  |
| **Total Units** | | **60** |

1. _Some GE courses may be double-counted within the major and will reduce the number of units.  General electives may be needed to reach 60 units. Please consult with a counselor to determine which courses are applicable._