Liberal Arts and Sciences/Mathematics and Science A.S. – Biology Concentration

School: Mathematics, Science and Engineering
Academic Dept: Biology
HEGIS: 5649

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2023 to Summer 2024. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Liberal Arts & Sciences/Mathematics and Science (LAMS) program leads to the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree. The LAMS concentration in biology mirrors the first two years of a four-year biology program with an emphasis in majors-level mathematics and natural sciences. Qualified graduates of this program most often continue their studies at four-year colleges and universities in baccalaureate programs in biology, or further their education towards a one of a number of allied health programs whose competitive admission requirements require coursework in mathematics and/or natural science at the majors-level, such as pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, physician’s assistant, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate proficiency in mathematics that indicates readiness for calculus.
Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process and how it is applied in the natural sciences.
Demonstrate knowledge of foundational concepts in math and/or science necessary for transferring seamlessly into four-year programs in the Biological Sciences.

Advice for Graduates Transferring to Bachelor’s Programs in Biology

The distribution of courses to meet the requirements for the A.S. degree varies depending on the student’s interests, so it is important that a student review the requirements for the first two years of any colleges to which he or she might transfer. Course selection can then be made with advice from an Academic Counselor or the Liberal Arts Math and Science (LAMS) Curriculum Chair (Chad.Thompson@sunywcc.edu).

Students interested in transfer programs related to biology (i.e., pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, physician’s assistant, and BSN programs) should also carefully review the admission requirements to those career programs. This will help the student make informed decisions about which specific math and science courses to take within the LAMS program.

Program Requirements

60 credits are required for the degree:

General Education - 31 credits
Required Degree Courses - 29 credits

General Education Requirements - 31 Credits

Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research
Humanities (3 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (8 credits): MATH 140 - Statistics and MATH 161 - Precalculus (Functions and Coordinate Geometry)
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (5 credits): CHEM 107 - Inorganic Chemistry 1 (and Lab)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Social Sciences (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
The Arts OR World Languages (3 credits): choose from either category, The Arts or World Languages
US History and Civic Engagement OR World History and Global Awareness (3 credits): choose from either category, US History/Civic Engagement or World History/Global Awareness

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses .

Required Degree Courses - 29 credits

BIOL 115 - General Biology 1 (and Lab)
BIOL 117 - General Biology 2 (and Lab)
CHEM 111 - Inorganic Chemistry 2 (and Lab)
CHEM 201 - Organic Chemistry 1 (and Lab)
CHEM 205 - Organic Chemistry 2 (and Lab)
MATH 181 - Calculus 1
Free Electives (2 credits): select any college course(s)

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Course	Credits
BIOL 115 - General Biology 1 (and Lab)	4
CHEM 107 - Inorganic Chemistry 1 (and Lab)	5
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
Social Sciences Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 2

Course	Credits
BIOL 117 - General Biology 2 (and Lab)	4
CHEM 111 - Inorganic Chemistry 2 (and Lab)	5
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
MATH 161 - Precalculus (Functions and Coordinate Geometry)	4
Semester Total Credits	16

Semester 3

Course	Credits
CHEM 201 - Organic Chemistry 1 (and Lab)	5
MATH 140 - Statistics	4
MATH 181 - Calculus 1	4
US History and Civic Engagement Gen. Ed. Course OR World History and Global Awareness Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	16

Semester 4

Course	Credits
CHEM 205 - Organic Chemistry 2 (and Lab)	5
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Gen. Ed. Course	3
Free Elective	2
The Arts Gen. Ed. Course OR World Languages Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	13

Minimum Total Credits: 60

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

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