Associate in Arts Degree

Biology Concentration

Students who are matriculated and place into developmental math and/or English are required to begin the course sequence in the first semester. Please see an advisor with questions.

First Semester Credits
ENL101 M 3
BIO151 M 4
CHM151 M 4
MAT240 (or)
MAT150 (or)
MAT195
 
Calculus I (or)
Elementary Statistics (or)
Precalculus with Trigonometry

MAT240 Calculus I

This calculus course is designed for engineering, natural sciences, computer science, and mathematics majors. Topics include limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, the fundamental theorem, applications on curve sketching, optimization, areas and volumes, differentiation and integration (up to substitution) involving trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions.

Prerequisites: MAT0190 or MAT195 or satisfactory basic skills assessment score

Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer


MAT150 Elementary Statistics

Students are introduced to descriptive and inferential statistics focusing on conceptual understanding and statistical literacy. Topics include: techniques for organizing and presenting data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, sampling distributions, estimation, one- sample hypothesis tests, and correlation and regression.

Prerequisite: MAT035 or MAT045 and ENL108 or ESL201 or satisfactory basic skills assessment score

Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Note: Satisfies a Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning general education requirement.


MAT195 Precalculus with Trigonometry

Targeting students in Mathematics, Engineering, and Physical Sciences, this course provides the foundation necessary for a rigorous study of calculus. It covers non-linear inequalities, functions, and graphs. The primary focus is on polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Applications are also discussed extensively. Additional topics may include analytic geometry with an emphasis on the conic sections, Gibbs notation vector algebra, polar coordinates, sequences, series, and mathematical induction. (5 contact hours)

Prerequisite: C- or higher in MAT175 or satisfactory basic skills assessment score

Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Note: Students planning to transfer into a Biology major in the Massachusetts state system are advised to take MAT240 as required by the MassTransfer Academic Pathway for Biology.

4 (or)
3 (or)
4
Second Semester Credits
ENL102   3
BIO152 M 4
CHM152 M 4
    3 (or) 4
    Behavioral & Social Science 3
Third Semester Credits
BIO241   4
CHM251 M 5
    Humanities & Fine Arts 3
    3 (or) 4
Fourth Semester Credits
BIO205 (or)
BIO242
M
General Ecology (or)
Molecular Genetics

BIO205 General Ecology

The lecture portion of this course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of ecology including the interactions of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Students will be introduced to the techniques of ecological data gathering and analysis. The laboratory exposes students to the field techniques used in investigating different ecological communities, specifically of Cape Cod, and emphasizes team-based research. One Saturday field trip is required for the laboratory component. (3 class hours/3 laboratory hours per week)

Prerequisite: ENL101 and a grade of C or higher in BIO152 or ENV118

Offered: Fall

Note: Satisfies Natural or Physical Science general education requirement.


BIO242 Molecular Genetics

This course fulfills the requirements of a second year elective for a CCCC degree in Biology. It builds upon the foundational principles of molecular biology and genetics introduced in BIO151 (General Biology I). Topics covered will include cellular replication; chromosomal structure and inheritance; gene expression, regulation and development; and biotechnology. The laboratory features activities and experiments that reinforce the concepts presented in lecture. (3 class hours/3 laboratory hours).

Prerequisite: BIO151

Offered: Spring

4
CHM252 M 5
    Humanities & Fine Arts 3
    Behavioral & Social Science 3
Total Credits 61–64

M Designates a Milestone course. A milestone course must be completed in the semester indicated to ensure that you remain on track to continue on in your program and graduate on time.

The Associate in Arts degree does not indicate a specialized degree in a concentration. Students who complete this concentration will satisfy the requirements of MassTransfer. For additional information pertaining to degree requirements, please refer to Degree Requirements.

Biology Career Outlook

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