Associate in Biology - DTA/MRP

Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program

Credits: 90-93  |   Length of Program: 6 quarters

Subject: Science

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Associate in Biology - Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)/Major Related Program (MRP)

The Associate in Biology Degree is designed for persons interested in transferring to a four-year college or university.  Students who successfully complete degree requirements and elective courses recommended for their specific area of study will transfer to most four-year degree programs with junior standing. 

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Program Outcomes

General education introduces students to the content and methodology of the major areas of knowledge – communication, the humanities and fine arts, the natural sciences, mathematics and the social sciences – and helps them develop the intellectual skills that will make them more effective life-long learners.  The College’s general education program is intended to meet the transfer requirements of four-year colleges and universities as outlined in the Intercollegiate Relations Commission Handbook.  South Puget Sound Community College prepares recipients of the Associate in Biology Degree to:

  • Communicate effectively
  • Think logically and critically
  • Evaluate and process quantitative and symbolic data
  • Understand themselves in relation to others in a multicultural world
  • Understand ethical responsibilities and consequences
Ed Plan / Class List
Required Courses

All students required to complete precollege Math or English coursework must complete HDEV 101: Enhancing Student Success (3 credits) within their first two quarters of attendance.

Communication

ENGL&101 English Composition I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Develops writing skills by focusing on strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas, evaluate information, make a point, and participate in multiple discourse communities. Emphasizes both the process and the product of writing. This course was formerly known as WRIT 101, College Writing I. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement test scores OR appropriate completion of ENGL 095, ENGL 095X, or ENGL 098 OR concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110 with instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-COMMUNICATION: Reading/Writing, AAS-READING-WRITING
ENGL&102 Composition II 5 Credits Search Schedule
Develops reading, writing and critical thinking skills at the advanced level. Teaches how to write academic papers by conducting research; analyzing, evaluating and constructing arguments; documenting sources and using appropriate writing conventions. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL& 101 with a "C" or better.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION
-OR-
ENGL&102C Composition II: Service Learning 5 Credits Search Schedule
With a specific focus on community service and social issues, develops reading and writing skills at the advanced level. Teaches how to write academic essays by conducting research; analyzing, evaluating and constructing arguments; documenting sources and using appropriate conventions. In addition to classroom contact, requires a community service commitment of twenty hours per term in a structured service program managed by the college. Offers the opportunity to work with human service, environmental and cultural enrichment organizations. This course was formerly known as ENGL 104. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL& 101 (formerly WRIT 101) with a "C" or better.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION

Quantitative
MATH&151 Calculus I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers differential calculus of single-variable functions. Prerequisite: MATH& 142 with a "C" or better.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, QUANTITATIVE, AA-AAS-T-QUANTITATIVE, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE

Humanities
15 credits from 2 disciplines. No more than 5 credits in performance/skill courses. No more than 5 credits of foreign language at the first year level.
15 Credits in HUMANITIES

Social Science
15 credits from 2 disciplines.
15 Credits in SOCIAL SCIENCE

Chemistry
CHEM&161 General Chemistry w/Lab I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Focuses on general chemistry for engineering, biological science, physical science, pre-med, pre-dental, and math majors. This the first course in a three course sequence. CHEM& 139 is recommended for those needing to fulfill the prerequisite. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of MATH& 141 with a grade of "C" or better, and completion of CHEM& 139 or CHEM& 121 with a grade of "C" or better, or a year of high school chemistry.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, LAB, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE
CHEM&162 General Chemistry w/Lab II 5 Credits Search Schedule
Second quarter of a general chemistry sequence for engineering, biological science, physical science, pre-med, pre-dental, and math majors. Includes covalent bonds, molecular shapes, solutions and solids, colligative properties, rates of reaction and equilibrium. Introduction to organic chemistry. Stresses problem solving and critical thinking. 4 hours lecture/3 hours lab per week. This course was formerly known as CHEM 150 General Chemistry II. Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in CHEM& 161 or CHEM 140 and MATH& 141 or MATH 121.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, LAB, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE
CHEM&163 General Chemistry w/Lab III 5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers acid and base theory, equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Completes the general chemistry sequence for science, engineering, pre-med, pre-dental, and math majors. Prerequisite: "C" or better in CHEM& 162.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, LAB, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE

Biology

BIOL&211 Majors Cellular 5 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics in appropriate depth for science majors and students in pre-professional programs. Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 recommended. Prerequisite: None.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, LAB, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE
BIOL&212 Majors Animal 5 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces diversity of major animal groups including anatomy, physiology, development, evolution and ecology. Appropriate for science majors and students in pre-professional programs. Prerequisite: BIOL& 211.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, LAB, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE
BIOL&213 Majors Plant 5 Credits Search Schedule
Introduces diversity of major plant and fungus groups including structure, evolution, and ecology. Appropriate for science majors and students in pre-professional programs. Prerequisite: BIOL& 211.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, LAB, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE

Electives
These may include prerequisites for major courses (e.g. pre-calculus or statistics), additional major coursework, e.g. organic chemistry or physics or botany

**MATH& 141 and MATH& 142 may be waived based on appropriate placement testing.  If waived, an additional 10 credits of general education electives will be required to meet the 90 credit minimum.

MATH&141 Precalculus I 5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers functions and analytic geometry. Students who plan to pursue a Science, Engineering, and/or Math (SEM) pathway should take this course. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or a "C" or better in MATH 140 or equivalent.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, QUANTITATIVE, AA-AAS-T-QUANTITATIVE, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE
MATH&142 Precalculus II 5 Credits Search Schedule
Covers trigonometric functions and their applications. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or a "C" or better in MATH& 141 or equivalent.
Distribution: AA, AS, DTA, NATURAL SCIENCE, QUANTITATIVE, AA-AAS-T-QUANTITATIVE, AA-AAS-T-NATURAL SCIENCE

DIVERSITY REQUIREMENT: South Puget Sound Community College requires all new students as of summer 2005 seeking an Associate Degree to complete a “diversity” course which meets the college criteria for listing as a diversity course and has been approved for such listing by the college Instructional Council prior to the student enrolling in the class.

Effective Catalog Year 2018-2019

Application Process / How to Apply

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Additional Information

In planning this degree students need to work closely with their advisor and the transfer institution so that the science credits within the degree create a seamless passage to the transfer institution. Although the Associate Degree transfers to four-year colleges and universities in Washington State, it may not meet specific department requirements.  

A minimum of 90 credits is required, meeting the distribution in the table below. All courses taken must be at college level (numbered 100 or above).  A class can only count once toward General Education requirements.  For example, IIS 125 will satisfy either HUMANITIES or SOCIAL SCIENCE course requirements, but not both. A maximum of 5 credits in performance/skills courses may be applied to the humanities distribution requirement.  A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above in all college-level courses required. 

Revision Date: 
April 28, 2018