Biology, Associate in Science

The associate in science degree in Biology is designed to provide the foundation for a career in the biological sciences and is primarily a transfer program that prepares students for further study towards the bachelor’s degree in biology. This is achieved by providing an intensive science program with coursework and laboratory experiences in biology, chemistry and other natural sciences, as well as a background in mathematics and the liberal arts. A grade of C or better is required in all Science courses in order to continue to the next semester.

A minimum of 61 credits is required for graduation. 

Any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six-core academic skills-in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses.  Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

Requirements

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO111Introductory Biology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

BIO112Introductory Biology II

4

Science Technology Intensive

BIO215General Ecology

4

Science Technology Intensive

Written Communication Intensive

BIO230Cell Biology

4

Science Technology Intensive

CHM121General Chemistry I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM122General Chemistry II

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM221Organic Chemistry I

4

Global Awareness Intensive

Public Presentation Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM222Organic Chemistry II

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

ENG101English Composition I

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

MAT125Statistics

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

AND

MAT171Calculus for Business/Social/Life Sciences

4

OR

MAT251Calculus I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

AND

MAT252Calculus II

4

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Social Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Social Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Elective Advice:
Humanities Elective: Choose any course in the elective classification 
Program Elective: BIO108 or higher except BIO115. Student may also take SCI200 for 3 credits to fulfill this requirement.
Social Science Elective: Choose any course in the elective classification

Courses with Prerequisites: BIO112, BIO230, CHM121, CHM122, CHM221, CHM222, ENG102, MAT125, MAT171, MAT251, MAT252

Milestone Courses: BIO111, CHM121, CHM122

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway Biology Associate in Science Degree

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO111Introductory Biology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHM121General Chemistry I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

ENG101English Composition I

3

MAT171Calculus for Business/Social/Life Sciences

4

OR

MAT251Calculus I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO112Introductory Biology II

4

Science Technology Intensive

CHM122General Chemistry II

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

ENG102English Composition II

3

MAT125Statistics

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

OR

MAT252Calculus II

4

Year 1 Summer

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO215General Ecology

4

Science Technology Intensive

Written Communication Intensive

CHM221Organic Chemistry I

4

Global Awareness Intensive

Public Presentation Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Social Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO230Cell Biology

4

Science Technology Intensive

CHM222Organic Chemistry II

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Social Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Total Credit Hours: 61