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Biological Science

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Application Code: 
1554
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department: 
Physical and Health Sciences
Description: 

The biological science program prepares graduates to function in various scientific laboratories or to continue their education in a number of science or pre-professional fields. The program provides a foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics as well as a common core of general studies in English and social sciences. Biological science is a flexible program that can be tailored to fit the educational requirements of a variety of laboratory-related occupations.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/ Trigonometry (Math A and B), Biology, Chemistry

Technical Standards:

Students must possess fine motor skills which allow them to focus a microscope with fine adjustment and use forceps.

Features & Facilities: 
  • Flexible program focusing on the laboratory sciences
  • Prepares graduates to function as technicians in various science laboratories
  • Transfer into a variety of sciencerelated baccalaureate programs
  • Simulations of industrial/science laboratory problems are utilized in labs
  • Strong individual advisement
  • The program is located in the Agriculture Science building with six laboratories and a greenhouse. Students have access to a myriad of technologies and instrumentation. Explore the alphabet soup list below.
    • UV-VIS Ultraviolet - Visible Spectrophotometry
    • FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry
    • AAS Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
    • NMR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
    • FS Fluorescence Spectrophotometry
    • GC-MS Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy
    • HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography
    • CE Capillary Electrophoresis
    • PCR Polymerese Chain Reaction
Graduation Requirements: 

A minimum of 63 credit hours is required for graduation, with an overall cumulative index of 2.0. In addition, the student must complete one credit hour of physical education. A grade of "C" or better is required in the core science courses (those which have BIOL or CHEM prefixes).

Career Opportunities: 
  • going green imageThis program can lead to green careers.Law Enforcement Laboratories
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Pharmaceutical Testing
  • Wastewater Treatment
Transfer Opportunities: 

The program also enables graduates to transfer to four-year programs in biology and chemistry as well as programs such as sports medicine, forensic science, nuclear medicine, medical technology, ultrasound technology, and pre-professional programs (medicine, veterinary, dentistry, and pharmacy). Students may also continue their education in Alfred State's BS program in Forensic Science Technology.

Typical Semester Layout: 

In a typical semester, biological science students earn an average of 17 credit hours. This means that they spend approximately 15 hours in lecture sections and eight to 12 hours in the lab per week, depending on the particular courses. Technical courses usually have 15-20 students while general courses may have 20-60 students.

First Semester credits
BIOL 1104 General Biology I 4
CHEM 1114 General Chemistry OR  
CHEM 1984 Chemistry Principles I * 4
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
MATH xxxx Math Elective (MATH 1033 or greater)
 3-4
BIOL 1101 Topics in General Biology 1
      15-16
Second Semester credits
BIOL 2204 General Biology II 4
LITR 2603 Introduction to Literature 3
CHEM 2124 General Chemistry II OR  
CHEM 2984 Chemistry Principles II *
 4
  xxxx Technical Elective 2-4
  xxx3 Social Science Elective 3
      16-18
Third Semester credits
BIOL 5254 Principles of Microbiology 4
CHEM 3514 Organic Chemistry I 4
  xxxx Technical Elective 2-4
MATH xxxx Math Elective 3-4
HIST
 xxx3
History Elective
 3
      16-19
Fourth Semester credits
BIOL 6534 Genetics 4
CHEM 4524 Organic Chemistry II 4
BIOL 2111
 Biological Sciences Seminar
 1
  xxxx Technical Elective(s) 2-4
  xxxx Open Elective 3-4
      14-17

Technical Electives:

MATH courses must be at the level of MATH 1033 college algebra or above.

Also required: one unit of physical education.

*preferred for transfer

Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200720082009
Receiving Degrees 4
 2
 4
Responding to Survey 2 (50%) 2 (100%) 3 (75%)
Employed -- -- --
Employed in Field -- -- --
Transfered 2 (100%) 2 (100%) 3 (100%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --