Biological Sciences
Program Description
The major in Biological Sciences is primarily intended for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree. This major prepares students for careers in the health professions, teaching, forestry, agriculture, environmental protection and conservation, wildlife biology, biotechnology, basic research, and many other fields. Students who plan to major in the Biological Sciences should also visit the Biology website.
Students with an interest in biology who do not intend to transfer to a four-year institution and earn a bachelor's degree are encouraged to look into some of the other programs offered by the STEM Division and the Health Sciences and Horticulture Division, which are: dental assisting, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound), environmental horticulture, paramedic, pharmacy technician, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, veterinary technology and/or veterinary assistant.
Students who already have a bachelor's degree can meet the biology requirement for medical school by taking BIOL 1A, BIOL 1B, and BIOL 1C.
The department also offers a Certificate of Achievement in Bio-Health Diversity and Inclusion Leadership. Medical schools, healthcare employers, and biological research organizations specifically seek out candidates with an understanding of how issues of diversity impact their work. These organizations and employers understand that attending to diversity is critical for patient health and for excellence in research. This certificate provides a pathway for biology and health science students to gain certification in diversity, equity, inclusion, and service in their fields, such that students are more competitive for transfer and job applications. In earning the certificate, students will complete their major biology courses for their field alongside at least one service learning course focusing on service in bio/health fields.
Learn more about the program on the Biology website.
Associate Degree for Transfer
This program also offers Associate Degrees for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the following listings: Biology AS-T, Environmental Science AS-T, Nutrition and Dietetics AS-T, and Public Health AS-T.
Program Learning Outcomes
- The biology majors sequence prepares students to use the scientific method to formulate questions, design experiments to test hypotheses, interpret experimental results to draw conclusions, communicate results both orally and in writing, and critically evaluate the use of the scientific method from published sources.
- The biology majors sequence prepares students to apply evolutionary theory at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and population levels to explain the unity and diversity of living things.
Award Type(s)
- AS = Associate in Science Degree
- CA = Certificate of Achievement
Units Required
- Major: 48-51
- Certificate(s): 17-22
Additional Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should meet with a counselor to develop an educational plan to ensure that both university general education and lower division major preparation requirements specific to the transfer institution(s) of choice are satisfied.
Students intending to transfer to the CSU system should inquire about the AS-T (Associate in Science for Transfer) in Biology.
Associate Degree Requirements
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to complete the associate degree, including:
- Core courses for the major (48-51 units total)
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
- Foothill College General Education
- Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)2
- Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)2
- Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)3
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
- 2
Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
- 3
Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core courses used for the degree or certificate. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
Core and Support Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BIOL 1A | PRINCIPLES OF CELL BIOLOGY | 6 |
| BIOL 1B | FORM & FUNCTION IN PLANTS & ANIMALS | 6 |
| BIOL 1C | EVOLUTION, SYSTEMATICS & ECOLOGY | 6 |
| CHEM 1A | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
| CHEM 1C | GENERAL CHEMISTRY & QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS | 5 |
| And select one option from the following: | 15-18 | |
| Option 1: Organic Chemistry | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| Option 2: Physics | ||
Select one of the following sequences: | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS and GENERAL PHYSICS and GENERAL PHYSICS | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) and GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) and GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) | ||
| Total Units | 48-51 | |
Certificate Requirements
Certificate of Achievement in Bio-Health Diversity and Inclusion Leadership
- Units: 17-22
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following options: | 15-18 | |
| Option 1 | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| FORM & FUNCTION IN PLANTS & ANIMALS | ||
| EVOLUTION, SYSTEMATICS & ECOLOGY | ||
| Option 2 | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY III | ||
| And, for either option, select one of the following: | 2-4 | |
| COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION | ||
| LEARNERS ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING FOR DIVERSITY IN STEM | ||
or CHEM 81 | LEARNERS ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING FOR DIVERSITY IN STEM | |
or C S 81 | LEARNERS ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING FOR DIVERSITY IN STEM | |
or MATH 83 | LEARNERS ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING FOR DIVERSITY IN STEM | |
| Total Units | 17-22 | |