Associate of Science Transfer Degree in Biology
Overview
The Associate of Science Transfer in Biology (AST–Biology) degree is designed for students intending to transfer to a biology program at an Oregon public university. The curriculum includes foundational coursework in biology and related sciences, along with general education requirements that prepare students for upper-division study.
Completion of the AST–Biology degree also fulfills the statewide Major Transfer Map (MTM) for Biology and the Oregon Core Transfer Map (CTM), supporting efficient transfer and application of credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
Refer to the tabs above for additional information about:
- Requirements - outlines all courses required for completion of the degree
- Education Plan - provides a sample term-by-term sequence of courses
- Career Info - includes information on potential occupations, employment trends, and earnings
Program Requirements
The degree requirements below outline the courses and credit categories required to complete the Biology AST degree, including science core and general education requirements. Expand each section to view eligible courses that may be used to fulfill specific requirements.
For a suggested term-by-term sequence, refer to the Education Plan tab.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science Core, 3 sequences | 45 | |
Biology Sequence | ||
| Principles of Biology: Cells and Principles of Biology: Organisms and Principles of Biology: Ecology and Evolution | ||
Chemistry Sequence | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry III and General Chemistry III Laboratory | ||
Physics Sequence (choose one) | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics II and General Physics III | ||
or | ||
| General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus II and General Physics with Calculus III | ||
| Mathematics, 2 courses | 8 | |
| Precalculus I: Functions | ||
| Precalculus II: Trigonometry | ||
If math placement is at MTH251Z or higher, choose one of the following sequences: | ||
| Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus | ||
or | ||
| Elementary Statistics I and Elementary Statistics II | ||
| Written Communication, 2 courses | 8 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Arts & Letters, 2 courses from AAOT list (must be from two different disciplines) | 6-8 | |
| Social Science, 2 courses from AAOT list (must be from two different disciplines) | 6-8 | |
| Electives, if needed to reach 90 applicable degree credits | 17 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
Recommended Electives for Transfer
- OIT: WR122Z Composition II, Additional Social Science, Additional Arts & Letters, Health Biology Course
- OSU: CH241 Organic Chemistry I & CH242 Organic Chemistry II
- PSU: CH241 Organic Chemistry I, CH242 Organic Chemistry II & CH243 Organic Chemistry III, Additional 200-level Science or Social Science.
- UO: CH241 Organic Chemistry I, Additional Arts & Letters, Additional Social Science.
When students complete coursework at more than one Oregon community college, the AST-granting institution will apply transfer courses toward Core Transfer Map and major requirements as intended, based on the approved course lists at the institution where and when the courses were completed.
Education Plan
This sample Education Plan illustrates one possible course sequence. Students should consult an advisor to create a personalized plan.
General education courses (such as math, writing, health, etc.) can be taken during any term, or before starting the program.
| First Quarter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BI221Z | Principles of Biology: Cells | 5 |
| CH221Z & CH227Z | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 5 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| BI222Z | Principles of Biology: Organisms | 5 |
| CH222Z & CH228Z | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 5 |
| WR227Z | Technical Writing | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| BI223Z | Principles of Biology: Ecology and Evolution | 5 |
| CH223Z & CH229Z | General Chemistry III and General Chemistry III Laboratory | 5 |
| Mathematics requirement | 4-5 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| Fall | ||
| PH201 or PH211 | General Physics I or General Physics with Calculus I | 5 |
| Mathematics requirement | 4-5 | |
| Arts & Letters course from AAOT list | 3-4 | |
| Social Science course from AAOT list | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fifth Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| PH202 or PH212 | General Physics II or General Physics with Calculus II | 5 |
| Arts & Letters course from AAOT list | 3-4 | |
| Social Science course from AAOT list | 3-4 | |
| Electives to reach 90 applicable degree credits | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Sixth Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| PH203 or PH213 | General Physics III or General Physics with Calculus III | 5 |
| Electives to reach 90 applicable degree credits | 0-10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |