Biology
Associate in Science for Transfer School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Associate in Science in Biology for Transfer degree is designed to meet the lower division requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in biology at the California State University System. Students who complete an AS-T in Biology from Merced College will have completed the equivalent of the first two years as a biology major in the California State University System and will be prepared for upper division course work in Biology at a California State University.
The Associate in Science in Biology for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for seamless transfer to a university that offers a baccalaureate degree with a major in biological science or related discipline. The Associate in Science in Biology for Transfer degree provides the student with laboratory experience and introductory knowledge of fundamental principles in biology that include cell theory, genomics, taxonomy, comparative anatomy and physiology, ecology and evolution.
This major provides a strong foundation in biology enabling them to succeed in upper division coursework in a baccalaureate degree program in biology.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
A. Analyze the natural world.
B. Describe interactions with the natural world.
C. Describe mechanisms of evolution.
D. Demonstrate scientific literacy.
To complete the degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:
60 semester CSU-transferable units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University.
the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern.
a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district.
obtainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
earn a grade of C (or P) or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.
Note: Students are not required to complete any additional local graduation requirements for the AS-T (e.g., PE and Computer and Information Literacy courses).
Program Requirements:
Program Core: (34-36 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL-04A | Fundamentals of Biology: The Cell and Evolution | 4 |
| BIOL-04B | Diversity of Life: Morphology and Physiology | 5 |
| List A: Restricted Electives | ||
| CHEM-04A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM-04B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| MATH-C2210 | Calculus I: Early Transcendentals | 4 |
| Physics: Select 1 grouping: | ||
| General: | 8 | |
| PHYS-02A | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS-02B | General Physics II | 4 |
| Calculus-Based: | ||
| PHYS-04A | Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS-04B | Physics II | 4 |
| List B: Electives Select 3-5 Units from the following | ||
| BIOL-16 | General Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL-18 | Principles of Physiology | 4 |
| MATH-C2220 | Calculus II: Early Transcendentals | 4 |
| STAT-C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| First Semester Organic Chemistry | ||
| CHEM-13A | First Semester Organic Chemistry Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-13AL | First Semester Organic Chemistry Labs | 2 |
| Second Semester Organic Chemistry | ||
| CHEM-13B | Second Semester Organic Chemistry Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-13BL | Second Semester Organic Chemistry Labs | 2 |
| Total Units toward the Major | 34-36 | |
Total Units that may be double counted: (-10 Units)
*General Education (Cal-GETC) Units: (34 Units)
Elective (CSU Transferable) Units: (0-2 Units)
Total Degree Units: (60 Units)