Biology - Associate of Science Degree (AS)

AS - 2 Years (NB)
Explore MoreAbout This Program

Degree Quick Facts

  • Instructional School: Science, Technology, and Math
  • Department: Biological Sciences
  • Program Code: BIOL.AS
    • Program Emphasis Option Codes: BIOL-HB.AS, BIOL-MMBS.AS, BIOLNR.AS
  • Program Type: Academic Transfer
  • Available Fully Online: No
  • Eligible for Federal Financial Aid: Yes

NOTE: Courses required for this program may have an additional fee; more information can be found on the Special Course Fees web page.

Degree Requirements

Course Course Title Min Credits
General Education Requirements
CWI 101Connecting With Ideas3
Global Perspectives course3
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1)3
ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric II (GEM 1)3
GEM 2 - Oral Communication course3
Select one of the following courses (GEM 3):3-5
Precalculus I: Algebra
Precalculus
Survey of Calculus
Calculus I
BIOL 111Biology I (GEM 4)3
BIOL 111LBiology I Lab (GEM 4)1
Select one of the following options (GEM 4):4-6
General Chemistry I Plus
and General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab 2
GEM 5 - Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing course3
GEM 5 - Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing course 33
SCIE 102Ethics in Science (GEM 6) 43
GEM 6 - Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing course 33
Major Requirements
BIOL 112Biology II 53
BIOL 112LBiology II Lab 51
CHEM 112General Chemistry II3
CHEM 112LGeneral Chemistry II Lab2
Select one of the following options:4
Biology III: Principles of Structure and Function
and Biology III: Principles of Structure and Function Lab
Introduction to Cell Biology
and Introduction to Cell Biology Lab
Genetics
and Genetics Lab
Complete all courses from one of the emphasis areas listed below (see 'Biology: Major Electives for Emphases') OR select any electives from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list to bring the total credits earned to 60 6,7,85-9
Minimum Credit Hours Required60
1

Check with the appropriate four-year transfer program to determine if a specific math course may be required at your transfer institution.

2

Students who have prior experience with chemistry are strongly encouraged to take the Chemistry Placement exam at the CWI Assessment Center. Passing the Chemistry Placement exam will allow students to register directly into CHEM 111 General Chemistry I.

3

Course must come from a different discipline.

4

This course fulfills the Ethical Reasoning requirement for an associate degree from CWI.

5

BIOL 112 and BIOL 112L are best taken within a semester of completing BIOL 111 and BIOL 111L to ensure greater success.

6

To complete an AS focused on one emphasis area, complete all of the courses listed under your chosen emphasis on the 'Biology: Major Electives for Emphases' course list below. In order to graduate with a degree that lists your chosen emphasis area, you must select the applicable major. For example, to graduate with an AS that includes an emphasis in Human Biology, students should select 'Biology - Human Biology Emphasis - Associate of Science' as a major. 

7

To complete a general Biology AS without an emphasis, select courses from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list below to bring the total credits earned to at least 60. See catalog and possible transfer institution for elective options. To determine which elective is appropriate, consult your advisor.

8

Students must earn a minimum of 60 credits to graduate. It may be possible for students to complete all required courses for a Biology emphasis and have earned less than 60 credits. In this situation, students must select additional credits from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list to reach a total of at least 60 credits.

Biology: Major Electives FOR EMPHASES

Course Course Title Min Credits
Human Biology Emphasis8
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Emphasis8
Introduction to Cell Biology 1
Introduction to Cell Biology Lab 1
Genetics 2
Genetics Lab 2
Natural Resources Emphasis7
General Ecology 1
General Ecology Lab 1
Field Biology 2
1

This course is only offered in the Fall semester.

2

This course is only offered in the Spring semester.

BIOLOGY: MAJOR ELECTIVES FOR GENERAL DEGREE

Course Course Title Min Credits
BIOL 104Professions in Biology3
BIOL 113Biology III: Principles of Structure and Function3
BIOL 113LBiology III: Principles of Structure and Function Lab1
BIOL 199Biology Special Topics1-5
BIOL 226Human Anatomy and Physiology I Plus1
BIOL 227Human Anatomy and Physiology I3
BIOL 227LHuman Anatomy and Physiology I Lab1
BIOL 228Human Anatomy and Physiology II3
BIOL 228LHuman Anatomy and Physiology II Lab1
BIOL 280Pathophysiology4
BIOL 293Biology Internship1-3
BIOL 296Biology Independent Study1-3
BTEC 293Biotechnology Internship1-5
CHEM 101Introduction to Chemistry3
CHEM 101LIntroduction to Chemistry Lab1
CHEM 102Essentials of Organic and Biochemistry4
CHEM 102LEssentials of Organic and Biochemistry Lab1
CHEM 111General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 112General Chemistry II3
CHEM 112LGeneral Chemistry II Lab2
CHEM 293Chemistry Internship1-3
CHEM 298Organic Chemistry I 13
CHEM 298LOrganic Chemistry I Lab 12
ENVI 100Environmental Science3
ENVI 100LEnvironmental Science Lab1
ENVI 260General Ecology 13
ENVI 260LGeneral Ecology Lab 11
ENVI 280LField Biology 23
MATH 144Precalculus II: Trigonometry2
MATH 153Statistical Methods3
MATH 170Calculus I5
MATH 175Calculus II4
MMBS 106Making Sense of Microbiotic Me3
MMBS 111Introductory Microbiology3
MMBS 111LIntroductory Microbiology Lab1
MMBS 260Introduction to Cell Biology 13
MMBS 260LIntroduction to Cell Biology Lab 11
MMBS 280Genetics 23
MMBS 280LGenetics Lab 21
PHYS 100Survey of Physics3
PHYS 100LSurvey of Physics Lab1
PHYS 111General Physics I3
PHYS 111LGeneral Physics I Lab1
SCIE 200Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP)1
1

This course is only offered in the Fall semester.

2

This course is only offered in the Spring semester.

 

Degree Plan

The course sequence listed below is strongly recommended in order to complete your program requirements. Please register for each semester as shown using the Student Planning tool in myCWI. Plans may be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding additional semesters. Consult your advisor for any questions regarding this course sequence plan.

Fall or Spring Start

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
CWI 101 Connecting With Ideas 3
BIOL 111 Biology I (GEM 4) 3
BIOL 111L Biology I Lab (GEM 4) 1
Select one of the following options (GEM 4): 4-6
General Chemistry I Plus
and General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
 
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab 1
 
Select one of the following courses (GEM 3): 3-5
Precalculus I: Algebra
or Precalculus
or Survey of Calculus
or Calculus I
 
 Total Semester Credit Hours16
Spring
BIOL 112 Biology II 2 3
BIOL 112L Biology II Lab 2 1
ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1) 3
SCIE 102 Ethics in Science (GEM 6) 3 3
GEM 2 - Oral Communication course 3
GEM 5 - Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing course 3
 Total Semester Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 112L General Chemistry II Lab 2
ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II (GEM 1) 3
GEM 5 - Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing course 6 3
Major ElectiveSelect a course from your chosen emphasis area (see 'Biology: Major Electives for Emphases') OR any course from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list 4,5 3-4
 Total Semester Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following options: 4
Biology III: Principles of Structure and Function
and Biology III: Principles of Structure and Function Lab
 
Introduction to Cell Biology
and Introduction to Cell Biology Lab 7
 
Genetics
and Genetics Lab
 
GEM 6 - Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing course 6 3
Global Perspectives course 3
Major ElectiveSelect courses from your chosen emphasis area (see 'Biology: Major Electives for Emphases') OR any course from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list to reach a minimum of 60 credits earned, if needed 4,5,8 2-5
 Total Semester Credit Hours13
 Minimum Credit Hours Required60
1

Students who have prior experience with chemistry are strongly encouraged to take the Chemistry Placement exam at the CWI Assessment Center. Passing the Chemistry Placement exam will allow students to register directly into CHEM 111 General Chemistry I.

2

BIOL 112 and BIOL 112L are best taken within a semester of completing BIOL 111 and BIOL 111L to ensure greater success.

3

This course fulfills the Ethical Reasoning requirement for an associate degree from CWI.

4

To complete an AS focused on one emphasis area, complete all of the courses listed under your chosen emphasis on the 'Biology: Major Electives for Emphases' course list below. In order to graduate with a degree that lists your chosen emphasis area, you must select the applicable major. For example, to graduate with an AS that includes an emphasis in Human Biology, students should select 'Biology - Human Biology Emphasis - Associate of Science' as a major.

5

To complete a general Biology AS without an emphasis, select courses from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list below to bring the total credits earned to at least 60. See catalog and possible transfer institution for elective options. To determine which elective is appropriate, consult your advisor.

6

Course must come from a different discipline.

7

MMBS 260 and MMBS 260L are only offered in the Fall semester. Students wishing to take that option should swap it with the CHEM course option listed in the previous semester.

8

Students must earn a minimum of 60 credits to graduate. It may be possible for students to complete all required courses for a Biology emphasis and have earned less than 60 credits. In this situation, students must select additional credits from the 'Biology: Major Electives for General Degree' course list to reach a total of at least 60 credits.

Biology: Major Electives for Emphases

Course Course Title Min Credits
Human Biology Emphasis8
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Emphasis8
Introduction to Cell Biology 1
Introduction to Cell Biology Lab 1
Genetics 2
Genetics Lab 2
Natural Resources Emphasis7
General Ecology 1
General Ecology Lab 1
Field Biology 2
1

This course is only offered in the Fall semester.

2

This course is only offered in the Spring semester.

Biology: Major Electives for General Degree

Course Course Title Min Credits
BIOL 104Professions in Biology3
BIOL 113Biology III: Principles of Structure and Function3
BIOL 113LBiology III: Principles of Structure and Function Lab1
BIOL 199Biology Special Topics1-5
BIOL 226Human Anatomy and Physiology I Plus1
BIOL 227Human Anatomy and Physiology I3
BIOL 227LHuman Anatomy and Physiology I Lab1
BIOL 228Human Anatomy and Physiology II3
BIOL 228LHuman Anatomy and Physiology II Lab1
BIOL 280Pathophysiology4
BIOL 293Biology Internship1-3
BIOL 296Biology Independent Study1-3
BTEC 293Biotechnology Internship1-5
CHEM 101Introduction to Chemistry3
CHEM 101LIntroduction to Chemistry Lab1
CHEM 102Essentials of Organic and Biochemistry4
CHEM 102LEssentials of Organic and Biochemistry Lab1
CHEM 111General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 112General Chemistry II3
CHEM 112LGeneral Chemistry II Lab2
CHEM 293Chemistry Internship1-3
CHEM 298Organic Chemistry I 13
CHEM 298LOrganic Chemistry I Lab 12
ENVI 100Environmental Science3
ENVI 100LEnvironmental Science Lab1
ENVI 260General Ecology 13
ENVI 260LGeneral Ecology Lab 11
ENVI 280LField Biology 23
MATH 144Precalculus II: Trigonometry2
MATH 153Statistical Methods3
MATH 160Survey of Calculus4
MATH 170Calculus I5
MATH 175Calculus II4
MMBS 106Making Sense of Microbiotic Me3
MMBS 111Introductory Microbiology3
MMBS 111LIntroductory Microbiology Lab1
MMBS 260Introduction to Cell Biology 13
MMBS 260LIntroduction to Cell Biology Lab 11
MMBS 280Genetics 23
MMBS 280LGenetics Lab 21
PHYS 100Survey of Physics3
PHYS 100LSurvey of Physics Lab1
PHYS 111General Physics I3
PHYS 111LGeneral Physics I Lab1
SCIE 200Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP)1
1

This course is only offered in the Fall semester.

2

This course is only offered in the Spring semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Know evolution, biology’s core theme, as a pattern and a process and understand relationships that characterize the diversity of life. (Addresses VC Competency 1).
  • Know and apply the concepts of structure and function; information flow, exchange, and storage; and pathways and transformations of energy and matter. (Addresses VC Competencies 2, 3, 4).
  • Apply the scientific method, quantitative reasoning, and modeling to analyze and evaluate problems in biology. (Addresses VC Competencies 1, 2, 3).
  • Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of science, communicate and collaborate with others, and understand the relationship between biology and critical issues affecting human populations. (Addresses VC Competencies 4, 5, 6).

(Outcomes map to Vision and Change [V&C] Core Concepts published by the National Science Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science 2011.)

NOTE: These outcomes apply to all students graduating with a Biology degree. Degrees with a specific emphasis may have additional and/or specialized outcomes.