Begin your future in the life sciences smartly and economically with an Associate of Science in Life Sciences from Montco. Our program prepares you to transfer to a four-year institution and major in such fields as biology, chemistry, environmental science, physical or occupational therapy and pre-med, among others. It enables you to concentrate in either traditional life science or biomedical science.
Upon graduating from the Life Sciences program, our students transfer to such four-year institutions as Temple University and West Chester University. We make transferring as seamless as possible and encourage you to speak to your advisor or a college counselor about this process.
Program outcomes
- Explain basic biological and chemical concepts;
- Evaluate issues in the life sciences that are of importance to organisms and/or the biosphere;
- Apply the scientific method to a range of life sciences;
- Utilize appropriate scientific techniques and technology for experimentation and data collection;
- Collect, analyze, and report scientific data in an ethical manner.
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Program Curriculum
General Education Requirements
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| CMS 120 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Elective | Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 |
| Elective | Aesthetic Sensibility | 3 |
| Elective | Technological Fluency | 3 |
| Elective | Ethical Perspectives | 3 |
Major Requirements
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 151 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| BIO 152 | Principles of Biology II | 4 |
| CHE 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 152 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| Elective | Biology Lab Science (BIO-131, BIO 140, BIO 256 or BIO 260) - select two courses | 8 |
| Elective | Lab Science (CHE-261, PHY 151, GLG 151, or BIT) - select two courses | 8 |
| MAT 130 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| MAT 190 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
Electives
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | General Elective or Science Elective | 3 - 4 |
Full-time sample course schedule
Semester 1
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MAT 130 | Probability & Statistics | 4 |
| CHE 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| BIO 151 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| Elective | Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMS 120 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MAT 190 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| CHE 152 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| BIO 152 | Principles of Biology II | 4 |
Semester 3
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Aesthetic Sensibility | 3 |
| BIO Elective | Biology Lab Science (BIO-131, BIO 140, BIO 256 or BIO 260) | 4 |
| Elective | Lab Science (CHE-261, PHY 151, GLG 151 or BIT) | 4 |
| Elective | Technological Fluency | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO Elective | Biology Lab Science (BIO-131, BIO 132, BIO 140, BIO 256 or BIO 260) | 4 |
| Elective | Lab Science (CHE-261, CHE 262, PHY 151, PHY 152, GLG 151 or BIT) | 4 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3-4 |
| Elective | Ethical Perspectives | 3 |
Part-time sample course schedule
Semester 1
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| CHE 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
Semester 2
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 151 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| CHE 152 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
Semester 3
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMS 120 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| BIO 152 | Principles of Biology II | 4 |
Semester 4
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 |
| MAT 130 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Semester 5
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 190 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry | 4 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3-4 |
Semester 6
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO Lab Elective | BIO Lab Elective* | 4 |
| Elective | Technological Fluency | 3 |
Semester 7
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science Elective | Organic Chemistry I or AST, BIO, BIT, CHE, GLG, MAT, PHY Elective** | 4 |
| Elective | Ethical Perspectives | 3 |
Semester 8
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO Lab Elective | BIO Lab Elective* | 4 |
| Science Elective | Organic Chemistry I or AST, BIO, BIT, CHE, GLG, MAT, PHY Elective** | 4 |
Semester 9
| COURSE ID | TITLE | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Aesthetic Sensibility | 3 |
*BIO Electives should be BIO-131, BIO-132, BIO-140, BIO-256, or BIO-260 depending upon student's transfer school/program.
**Science Electives should reflect the student's transfer school preference for continuation of program.
Top Transfer Schools
- Temple University
- West Chester University
- Chestnut Hill College
