Biology

Associate in Arts
2022-2023

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About the Program

The Biology Program provides a diverse array of educational opportunities to meet the needs of our community. Academic pathways are available for students seeking transfer to four-year institutions, an AA degree in Biology, an AA degree in Biology: Allied Health, pre-nursing and pre-dental hygiene program preparation, or pre-professional coursework (e.g., medicine, pharmacy, radiology, optometry, paramedic, and veterinary). Additionally, the program offers courses required for various AA/AS degrees and certificates (e.g., Horticulture, Kinesiology, Psychology, Viticulture/Enology), and to meet general education requirements.

The coursework required for the AA in Biology, provides foundational knowledge and hands-on experiences across all levels of biology, from the molecular to the ecological.

About the Degree

The Associate of Arts in Biology degree is designed to prepare students for transfer, but also provides entry-level opportunities for laboratory technicians in industry and the academic environment. The coursework provides foundational knowledge and hands-on experiences across all levels of biology, from the molecular to the ecological. It also provides students with the basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology, along with an overview of microbiology that impacts humans.

Program Outcomes

• Upon completion of an AA in Biology, students are able to explain and apply basic principles and processes of biology at different levels, from the biochemical to the ecological.
• Upon completion of an AA in Biology, students are able to design, conduct, analyze, and/or report results of investigations
  and experiments in the laboratory and/or field.
• Upon completion of an AA in Biology, students are proficient in standard biology lab techniques and lab safety procedures.

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Required Core: (33 Units) Units

Course	Units
BIO 1A General Botany	5
BIO 1B General Zoology	5
BIO 1C Cell and Molecular Biology	5
CHEM 1A General College Chemistry I	5
CHEM 1B General College Chemistry II	5
PHYS 2A Introduction to Physics I	4
PHYS 2B Introduction to Physics II	4

Units

Units Category	Units
Total Units in the Major	33

The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Arts (AA) Degree, California State University General Education-Breadth, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units are degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.

Updated: July 2022