Biological Sciences
Associate of Arts (AA) Biological Sciences · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
To be a biologist in the 21st Century will be an exciting and meaningful profession. Advances in biological knowledge are providing solutions to the most challenging problems in medicine, environmental resources, agriculture and human ecology. The Biological Sciences Department offers courses in biology, botany, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, natural history, marine biology, physical anthropology and courses for pre-professional areas such as medicine, physical therapy, dentistry, chiropractic and veterinary science.
Requirements
Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
- One of the following General Education options:
- OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
- OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
- A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| BIOL 101 | Plant Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 102 | Animal Biology | 5 |
| BIOL 103 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| CHEM 155 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 156 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Total Units | 24.00 | |
Recommended for Transfer
These additional courses should be considered when planning a program of study for transfer as a biology major.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 221 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5.3 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 222 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5.5 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| Complete one sequence from the following: | ||
| MATH 130 & MATH 131 | Calculus for Biological Sciences, Social Sciences and Business I and Calculus For Biological Sciences, Social Sciences And Business II | |
| MATH 150 & MATH 160 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I and Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | |
| Complete one sequence from the following: | ||
| PHYS 105 & PHYS 106 | General Physics and General Physics | |
| PHYS 110 & PHYS 111 | Introductory Physics and Introductory Physics | |
| PHYS 121 & PHYS 122 & PHYS 123 | Mechanics Of Solids And Fluids and Electricity and Magnetism and Heat, Light and Modern Physics | |
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate the principles of evolutionary theory, the history of the development of the theory and the role that evolution plays in the continuity and diversity of life.
- Communicate the unifying principles governing the organization of organisms from molecules to populations.
- Explain and apply fundamental ecological principles from populations and communities through ecosystems and the geographical distribution of life on Earth.
- Summarize and illustrate an understanding of the development of the organism from fertilization to the adult form.
- Compare and contrast organismal diversity and life histories including nomenclature, taxonomy and systematics.
- Characterize fundamental metabolic pathways, describe bioenergetics and relate the interdependence of these pathways
- Demonstrate understanding of the structure and function of tissues, organs and organ systems, describing interrelationships and the mechanisms of integration of the subunits to support the whole, functioning organism and the underlying causes of dysfunction.
- Describe and connect the role of DNA in regulating cell activity to its importance as the basis of inheritance, evolution and biotechnology.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the basic methods, instrumentation and quantitative analytical skills used to conduct biological research, including fundamental methods of microscopy, animal and plant dissection, molecular and cellular biology.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the basic methods, instrumentation and quantitative analytical skills used to conduct biological research, including fundamental methods of microscopy, animal and plant dissection, molecular and cellular biology.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.