Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics & Science (Biology Transfer Advising Guide)

Associate in Science Degree

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This option prepares students to transfer to bachelor of science degree programs at any SUNY four-year college and many private institutions. This program will satisfy a variety of transfer requirements for Biology as well as Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary, and Pre-Pharmacy programs.

Goal 1 Provide the students the opportunity to communicate results of scientific inquiry

  • Students will produce and submit clear written reports of scientific inquiry.

Goal 2 Provide students with opportunities to collect, organize, and evaluate scientific information

  • Students will identify the underlying biological concepts of laboratory exercises.
  • Students will acquire, evaluate, and synthesize information from a variety of different sources.
  • Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to collect data.
  • Students will analyze and interpret data in a written scientific lab report.

Goal 3 To provide students the opportunity to work in groups and have diverse experiences and interactions

  • Students will work collaboratively in the laboratory demonstrating skill toward the completion of a common project.
  • Students will attend DGV events and complete online DGV modules.

Goal 4 To prepare students to demonstrate analytical and computational skills

  • Students will be able to present data using appropriate scale and format.
  • Students will be able to quantify evolutionary processes.

Goal 5 To provide students with a sound academic curriculum for transfer to a biology baccalaureate institution

  • Graduates will transfer into a science related program with full junior status.
  • Graduates will complete all required course work in the program including math through calculus I and 3 one-year science sequences including organic chemistry, as well as one lab science elective.
  • Graduates will complete seven of the ten SUNY silos of General Education.

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 62-63

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This is the first of a two-semester course covering the central concepts of biology. Topics include the chemical and cellular basis of life, energy transformations, and classical and molecular genetics. Laboratory exercises mirror lecture topics and include opportunities for the student to practice the scientific method, data collection, and lab report writing.

This course prepares students for calculus through a study of the properties and graphs of polynomial, rational, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Topics include an introduction to mathematical argument and conic sections. Emphasis is placed on the function concept and the appropriate use of the language of mathematics. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement test score or MA125 College Algebra and Trigonometry.

This course introduces to the field of chemistry for science and engineering students. Topics include dimensional analysis, stoichiometry, periodicity, atomic structure and bonding, the states of matter, solutions, and acid and base concepts. The laboratory exercises exemplify chemical principles and develop individual problem-solving abilities. The laboratory experience includes preparation of the laboratory report and notebook. Prerequisites: High School Chemistry; and appropriate high school GPA or placement test score, or MA121 Fundamentals of College Mathematics 1, or MA139 College Algebra, or a corequisite of MA125 College Algebra and Trigonometry.

Take any Physical Education Course

Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This is the first in a sequence of three courses in calculus. Topics include limits and continuity, differentiation of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and indefinite and definite integration. Applications are included. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test score or MA150 Precalculus.

This course is a continuation of BI141 covering the central concepts of biology. Topics include evolutionary processes, speciation, organismal biology, and ecology. Laboratory exercises mirror lecture topics and include opportunities for the student to practice the scientific method, data collection, and lab report writing. Prerequisite: BI141 General Biology 1 or permission of the Dean.

This course is a continuation of CH141 General Chemistry 1. Topics include chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical and solution equilibrium, descriptive organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and descriptive chemistry of elements. Prerequisite: CH141 General Chemistry 1.

Take any Physical Education Course

Third Semester

This course introduces organic chemistry for science and engineering students. It includes a systematic study of classes of carbon compounds. It stresses reaction mechanisms, methods of synthesis, structured optical activity, chemical physical properties, and nomenclature. Topics included alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CH141 General Chemistry 1 and CH142 General Chemistry 2.

This course introduces the nature and study of history, and covers the emergence and development of Eurasian civilization to about 1500 A.D. in the Near East, India, China, Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and Africa. Attention is given to religion in these civilizations and on the rise of the West to a position of world power during the Middle Ages.

Take either PY101, SO101, AN101, PS101 or BM101

This is the second in a sequence of three courses in calculus. Topics include the integration of trigonometric functions, the differentiation and integration of the inverse trigonometric functions, further techniques in integration, L’Hopital’s Rule, improper integrals, and infinite series. Applications are included. Prerequisite: MA151 Calculus 1.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

Take any Physical Education Course

Fourth Semester

This course is a continuation of CH247 Organic Chemistry 1 in developing the topics of: spectroscopy, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids and their functional derivatives, aldehydes and ketones, carbanions, amines, and phenols. The laboratory exercises introduce multi-step synthesis and the analysis of organic compounds. Prerequisite: CH247 Organic Chemistry 1.

Take either PY101, SO101, AN101, PS101 or BM101

Take either HI102, HI111, or HI112

Take any Physical Education Course

Take either BI105, BI201, BI202, or WE101

(a) Social Science Electives include: PY101, SO101, AN101, PS101 or BM101.

(b) Mathematics Electives include: MA152 Calculus 2 OR MA110 Elementary Statistics.

(c) History Electives include: HI102, HI111, or HI112.

(d) Natural Science Electives include: BI105, BI201, BI202, or WE101.