2019-2020 Catalog

Biological Science (A.A.)

Associate in Arts

Program Advisor: Fayette Reynolds

413-236-4557 • freynolds@berkshirecc.edu

The Biological Science concentration in the Liberal Arts degree program provides a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as general education courses in mathematics, social sciences and the humanities. Students graduating from this program are prepared for transfer into baccalaureate programs in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology, public health, pre-medical, pre-veterinary, pre-dental and related programs.

This is a MassTransfer eligible program.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

  • Describe the major components and processes of molecular and cellular biology;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the major structures and physiological processes of organismal biology;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and processes of evolution and systematics;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of major ecological principles;
  • Recognize the diversity and interrelatedness of modern biological disciplines and the connections between biology and physical sciences;
  • Describe the societal place of biology and appropriately communicate and apply the fundamental principles of biology to current social, medical, ethical and environmental issues;
  • Evaluate and present scientific arguments;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Scientific Method;
  • Demonstrate technical, equipment and measurement skills essential to basic scientific inquiry; and
  • Adopt a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete the program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.

Program Courses

BIO-101General Biology I

4

CHM-201Organic Chemistry I

4

CHM-202Organic Chemistry II

4

ENG-
Literature

3

MAT-123Elementary Statistics

3

-
Science Electives

7

Total Credit Hours:25

Science Electives: : See footnote 1

General Education Courses

CHM-101Introductory Chemistry I

4

CHM-102Introductory Chemistry II

4

COM-
Communication

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

6

ENG-
Literature

3

-
 

HIS-113Western Civ to 1500

3

-
Or

HIS-121World History to 1500

3

-
 

HIS-114Western Civilization Since 1500

3

-
Or

HIS-122World History Since 1500

3

-
 

MAT-121Precalculus

4

-
or higher

-
 

-
Behavioral & Social Science

6

-
Environmental Studies

1

Total Credit Hours:37

Environmental Studies: See footnote 1

Additional Requirements

Core Competencies Portfolio 4 items
Forum 4 units
Health/Fitness 30 hours

Minimum Cumulative Average

Overall 2.000
All required BIO & CHM courses
and science electives
2.000

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time to complete the program may vary according to each student’s individual needs.

First Semester

BIO-101General Biology I

4

CHM-101Introductory Chemistry I

4

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

3

MAT-121Precalculus

4

-
Behavioral & Social Science

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Second Semester

MAT-123Elementary Statistics

3

-
Science Elective

3

CHM-102Introductory Chemistry II

4

COM-
Communication

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Science Elective: See footnote 1

Third Semester

CHM-201Organic Chemistry I

4

-
Science Elective

3

ENG-
Literature

3

-
 

HIS-113Western Civ to 1500

3

-
Or

HIS-121World History to 1500

3

Total Credit Hours:14

Fourth Semester

CHM-202Organic Chemistry II

4

ENG-
Literature

3

-
 

HIS-114Western Civilization Since 1500

3

-
Or

HIS-122World History Since 1500

3

-
 

-
Behavioral & Social Science

3

-
Environmental Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:14

Environmental Studies: See footnote 1

Footnotes

  1. Science electives must be chosen from the following: ATM-145, Introduction to Weather & Climate; BIO-102, General Biology II; BIO-109, Ecology I; BIO-110, Ecology II; BIO-201, Anatomy and Physiology I; BIO-202, Anatomy and Physiology II; BIO-207, Microbiology; BIO-230, Biotechnology; PHY-101, College Physics I; PHY-102, College Physics II. Completion of an environmentally focused laboratory science, such as BIO-109 or BIO-110, fulfills both the Natural or Physical Science and the Environmental Studies requirements. BIO-102 is strongly recommended for students anticipating transfer to a baccalaureate program.
  2. Students are strongly encouraged to select ENG-116, Technical Writing, as their second English Composition/Writing course.