Biological Sciences

Embrace the scientific method and explore the wonders of living organisms. This program is a versatile foundation for careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, education, and more.

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Program Duration: 2 Year Program
Degree Type: Associate in Arts (A.A.)
Total Credit Hours: 61

Instructor teaches a student how to use a microscope.

About This Program

Biology is the foundation of life and offers a versatile base for various careers. This program combines biology with liberal arts courses, preparing students for degrees in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and education. It caters to those interested in STEM fields beyond allied health, serving as prerequisites for Science and Technology pathways. The curriculum emphasizes the scientific method for problem-solving, covering hypothesis formulation, data collection, and effective result presentation. Students learn essential biological and chemical processes in living organisms, exploring organizational hierarchies from the chemical level to the biosphere. This program is open to all interested students.

Quick Information

Online Learning 40% or Greater
General Contact Call 215-751-8010

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Transfer Opportunities

A private university known for its diverse academic programs and global perspective, located in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Public university in Pennsylvania offering diverse programs.

A private liberal arts college located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Historically Black public university known for rigorous academic programs, dedicated faculty, supportive resources for student learning.

Private Christian university known for its faith-based education.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Requirements
BIOL 106 - General Biology I		4 credits	Scientific Reasoning
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)	ENGL 101 Placement	3 credits	Writing, Research, Info Lit 1
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra	FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement	3 credits	Quantitative Reasoning
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology^* or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)^* or ANTH 101 - Introduction to Anthropology or ECON 181 - Principles of Economics (Macroeconomics) or POLS 111 - American Government or POLS 111H - American Government (Honors)		3 credits	Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
BIOL 100 - Introduction to Life Sciences	FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or placement in FNMT 118 or higher	4 credits

Semester 2

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Requirements
BIOL 107 - General Biology II	BIOL 106 with a "C" or better.	4 credits
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry	FNMT 118 or MATH 118 placement and ENGL 101 ready.	4 credits
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology		3 credits	Technological Competency
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)		3 credits	Writing, Research, Info Lit 2
FREN 101 - Elementary French or HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions: Ancient to the 13th Century or HUM 101H - Cultural Traditions: Ancient to the 13th Century (Honors) or SPAN 101 - Elementary Spanish		3 credits

Semester 3

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits
BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology		4 credits
MATH 161 - Precalculus I	FNMT 118 with a grade of "C" or better	3 credits
Directed Elective (Choose two): ART 103 - History of Art: Ancient to Renaissance or ART 103H - History of Art: Ancient to Renaissance (Honors) or ECON 182 - 182 Principles of Economics (Microeconomics) or HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or HIST 102 - United States History: The 19th Century or HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century and Beyond or HIST 103H - United States and Pennsylvania History: The 20th Century (Honors) or HIST 121 - World History: The Distant Past or HIST 122 - World History: The Recent Past or ENGL 190 - Introduction to Literature or MUS 103 - Introduction to Music or PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy^* or PHIL 101H - Introduction to Philosophy (Honors)^* or PHIL 211 - Ethical Problems or PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors) or PSYC 201 - Child Psychology or SOC 231 - Social Problems	For ENGL 190: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently For PSYC 201: PSYC 101 For SOC 231: SOC 101 or ANTH 112	6 credits

Semester 4

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Requirements
BIOL 104 - Forensic Biology or BIOL 123 - Principles of Biology I or BIOL 211 - Genetics or BIOL 225 - Ecology and Field Biology or BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology or STS 101 - Introduction to Science, Technology and Society	For BIOL 104 and STS 101: FNMT 118 or higher placement For BIOL 123: CHEM 121 or CHEM 110 with a grade of "C" or better and high school biology or permission of the department head For BIOL 211: BIOL 106 or BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a grade of "C" or better or permission of the department head For BIOL 225: BIOL 107 or BIOL 124 with a grade of "C" or better in either For BIOL 241: BIOL 106 or BIOL 107 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a "C" or better or permission of the department head	4 credits
CHEM 118 - Introduction to Biochemistry	CHEM 101, CHEM 110 or CHEM 121 with a grade of "C" or better.	4 credits
MATH 162 - Precalculus II	MATH 161 with a grade of "C" or better, or placement in MATH 162 or higher.	3 credits
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking	ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently	3 credits	Oral Communication/Creative Expression

A biologist works with samples in a lab.

Launch Your Career in Biological Sciences

Soil and Plant Scientists - est. salary $73,368
Biostatistician - est. salary $99,021
Bioinformatics Scientist - est. salary $91,566

Learn More

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Career Outlook

$89,248

Median Salary of an Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

21,213

Number of Jobs in the Region

+12.8%

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for Architectural and Engineering Managers

Featured Career

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

Starting Pay: $46,727

a student and teacher smile in biology class

Typical Tasks

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.

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