Biological Sciences Associate in Science A.S. Degree 

To earn an Associate in Science Degree with a major in Biological Sciences, students complete 40 specified units, plus General Education Degree Requirements. These major requirements optimize preparation for upper division course work for advanced degrees in Biology offered by four-year institutions. In addition, earning this degree suggests an achievement of technical skills that may be helpful in seeking immediate employment.  

In addition to General Education Degree Requirements, complete the following:   

Required Courses: 

BIOL M02A General Biology I 5 units 
BIOL M02B General Biology II 5 units 
CHEM M01A General Chemistry I 5 units 
CHEM M01B General Chemistry II 5 units 
MATH M25A Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 5 units  
or 
MATH M25AH Honors: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 5 units 
MATH M25B Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 5 units  

Choose one of the following Sequences: 
Physics Sequence (Complete all 10 units) 

PHYS M20A Mechanics of Solids and Fluids 4 units
PHYS M20AL Mechanics of Solids and Fluids Lab 1 unit
PHYS M20B Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism 4 units
PHYS M20BL Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory 1 unit  

or Chemistry Sequence (Complete all 10 units) 
CHEM M07A Organic Chemistry I 5 units 
CHEM M07B Organic Chemistry II 5 units

Total Units: 40

The Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) in Biology is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree in Biology at a CSU campus. Students completing this AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system but not necessarily to a particular campus or major of choice. Students should consult with a counselor for more information on admission to specific universities and their transfer requirements as individual schools may require different or additional course work to that listed for the AS-T in Biology.  

To earn an AS-T in Biology, students must:

1.Complete 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU transferable units. 
2. Obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some transfer institutions and majors may require a higher GPA. 
3. Complete 35 specified major units. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C or better or a "P" if the course is taken on a "pass-no-pass" basis (Title 5 § 55063). Even though a "pass-no-pass" is allowed, it is highly recommended that students complete their major courses with a grade(Title 5 S55063). 
4. Obtain certification of the intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
(IGETC for STEM) or the California State University General Education-Breadth for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (CSU GE-Breadth for STEM) pattern.

REQUIRED CORE: Complete the following courses (10 units)

BIOL M02A General Biology I 5 units
or
BIOL M02AH Honors: General Biology I 5 units
BIOL M02B General Biology II 5 units

LIST A: Complete the following courses (15 units)

CHEM M01A General Chemistry I 5 units
OR
CHEM M01AH Honors: General Chemistry I 5 units
CHEM M01B General Chemistry II
MATH M25A Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 5 units
OR
MATH M25AH Honors: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 5 units

Physics Requirement: select and complete one Physics sequence with corresponding labs (10 units)

PHYS M10A General Physics I 4 units
PHYS M10AL General Physics I Lab 1 unit
PHYS M10B General Physics II 4 units
PHYS M10BL General Physics II Laboratory 1 unit
OR
PHYS M20A Mechanics of Solids and Fluids 4 units
PHYS M20AL Mechanics of Solids and Fluids Lab 1 unit
PHYS M20B Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism 4 units
PHYS M20BL Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory 1 unit

Total Units: 35

To earn a Pre-Allied Health Certificate of Achievement students must complete 21 specified units. This program prepares the student for entry into many health professional programs. These courses provide some of the prerequisites for advanced training in the medical field for occupations such as nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical laboratory technicians, and radiological sciences. To earn this certificate of achievement, students must complete the required courses with a "C" grade or higher.  

Required Courses: Complete the following courses (13 units) 

ANAT M01 Human Anatomy 4 units 
MICR M01 General Microbiology 5 units 
PHSO M01 Human Physiology 4 units  

LIST A: Select and complete one chemistry course from the courses listed below (5 units)

CHEM M01A General Chemistry I 5 units 
CHEM M01AH Honors: General Chemistry I 5 units 
CHEM M11 Foundations of General, Organic, and Biochemistry 5 units  

LIST B: Select and complete one social science course from the courses listed below (3 units)

ANTH M02 Cultural Anthropology 3 units
COMM M01 Public Speaking 3 units 
PSY M01 Introduction to Psychology 3 units 
PSY M01H Honors: Introduction to Psychology 3 units 
SOC M01 Introduction to Sociology 3 units 
SOC M01H Honors: Introduction to Sociology 3 units

Total Units: 21

The Biological Sciences department is located in the Life Science, Mathematics, Computer Studies (LMC) and Health Science Center (HSC) buildings on the east side of the Moorpark College Campus.  The department has numerous teaching laboratories, lecture classrooms, and up-to-date laboratory equipment to provide students with required state-of-the-art tools and techniques.  Specialized laboratory rooms designed especially for use with human cadavers and mammalian dissections are used for all anatomy and anatomy/physiology courses.

What biological sciences courses are offered at Moorpark College?

Human Anatomy, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Biology, General Biology, Honors General Biology I, General Biology II, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Marine Life and it's Environment, Field Biology, Human Biology, Bridge to Biotechnology, Internship in Biology, Independent Study, Introduction to Botany, Plants and Society, General Microbiology, Human Physiology, and Introduction to Zoology

Can I earn a degree in Biology?

Yes, to earn an AA degree in Biology, a major requires 36 specified units plus General Education Degree Requirements. To earn an AS degree in Biology, a major requires 40 specified units plus General Education Degree Requirements. To earn an Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree in Biology, a major must complete 35 specified units plus CSU transfer requirements. To earn a Pre-Allied Health Certificate, a major requires 21 specified units.

Do I need to apply separately to the biological sciences program?

When you submit your application to Moorpark College, you can select biological sciences as your program of study. You don't need to submit a separate application to this program.

Can I work and take Biological Sciences classes?

If you are going to school full-time (12 units or more), we recommend that you do not work.  If you do need to work while going to school full-time, then we recommend you work part-time. If you are attempting to earn a degree in two years, completing 15 units or more per semester would be necessary.

What kinds of jobs or careers does a degree in Biological Sciences lead to?

The study of Biology leads to a variety of careers upon the attainment of a baccalaureate degree. Many students then prepare for entry into graduate school or professional programs in dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. Careers are found in teaching, research, biotechnology, and government service. A degree in Biology offers a wide range of opportunities in medicine, business, industry, government, and education.

I am an undocumented student and do not have a Social Security number. Can I take these classes?

Yes! Once you have been accepted to Moorpark College and cleared for registration you can begin taking courses in your AA, AS and/or AS-T Biological Sciences. If you are seeking advanced degrees, certifications, and/or licensures then there will be some limitations without a Social Security Number. Be sure to meet with an academic counselor to discuss your options.

I am an international student and do not have a Social Security number. Can I take these classes?

Yes. Same as above.

What kinds of jobs or other degrees would a Pre-Allied Health Certificate lead to? 

These courses provide some of the prerequisites for advanced training in the medical field for occupations such as nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, medical laboratory technicians, and radiological sciences. 

What is the Pre-Allied Health Certificate? 

To earn a Pre-Allied Health Certificate of Achievement, students must complete 21 specified units. This certificate prepares the student for entry into many health professional programs. To earn this certificate of achievement, students must complete the required courses with a "C" grade or higher. 

I am an undocumented student and I do not have a social security number. Can I apply? 

Yes! Once you have been accepted to Moorpark College and cleared for registration you can begin taking courses towards your AA-T Kinesiology. If you are seeking advanced degrees, certifications, and/or licensures then there will be some limitations without a Social Security Number. Be sure to meet with an academic counselor to discuss your options. 

I am an international student and do not have a Social Security number. Can I take these classes? 

Yes. Same as above.