Biology for Transfer

Program Map

The Associate Degree for Transfer in Biology introduces the concepts and principles upon which biologic knowledge is based including the biochemistry, structure and function, ecology and evolution of organisms, from the levels of cells through the biosphere.

About this Program Find My School About Program Maps

Overview

Completion of the Associate in Science for Transfer in Biology degree guarantees admission for students to transfer to a CSU with junior standing. This degree allows students to complete various lower division courses in preparation for obtaining a baccalaureate degree in biology studies at a California State University. Students have the option of fulfilling CSUGE or IGETC for STEM general education patterns. Learn more about general education patterns

  • With CSUGE Requirements: MAA767
  • With IGETC Requirements: MAA768

California Community Colleges offer associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. These may include Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses.

Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units. To view the most current list of Moreno Valley College Associate Degrees for Transfer and to find out which CSU campuses accept each degree, visit I Can Go to College. Students are encouraged to meet with a MVC counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

  • Be able to identify and explain fundamental biological concepts and principles on the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, ecological, environmental and evolutionary levels.
  • Apply knowledge of biological concepts to formulate questions and hypotheses for research and demonstrate ability to find, read, understand, and critically evaluate scientific papers.
  • Develop experimental skills and techniques used in laboratory and field research and use the scientific method to develop hypotheses, design and execute experiments

Total Units Required: 32

Core Courses (32 Units)

Course Number Course Name Units
BIO-60*/60H* Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology/Honors  5
BIO-61* Introduction to Organismal and Population Biology 5
CHE-1A*/1AH* General Chemistry I/Honors 5
CHE-1B*/1BH* General Chemistry II/Honors  5
MAT-1A* Calculus I 4
PHY-4A* Mechanics A 4
PHY-4B* Electricity and Magnetism 4

* Courses may be double-counted for transfer credit within CSUGE or IGETC STEM general education transfer patterns.

Additional Requirements

CSUSB requires their biology majors to complete PHY 4C - Heat Light and Waves before entering the biology major at their school. MAT-1B - Calculus II is also considered a corequisite of PHY 4B and 4C.

Suggested Schedule by Term

Major and transfer course credit areas

Ensure you know how recommended classes satisfy your graduation and transfer goals.

  • Major
  • RCCD GE
  • CSUGE
  • IGETC

This program is best started in fall and can be completed in 2 years, or 4 semesters (fall/spring), with general education classes taken during intersessions to balance student workloads. Additional time may be required should students not meet initial mathematics placement requirements.

  • As these are historically difficult courses, students are encouraged to leverage embedded tutoring and supplemental instruction, free group and one-on-one tutoring, and host study sessions with their peers.
  • Missing a term or taking classes out of order is not advised, as numerous classes have prerequisites, corequisites and are only offered during certain terms. Program completion within this time frame is dependent on the number of units enrolled per term and course availability. 
  • Full-time students are recommended to take 12-15 units per term.
  • Meet with a counselor to develop your Student Educational Plan (SEP), determine the appropriate general education pattern and work/life/school balance.
Course Information
Course Credit Area
MAT 1A – Calculus I
4 units
  • M
  • B4
  • 2
CHE 1A/1AH – General Chemistry I/Honors
5 units
  • M
  • B1
  • 5A
ENG 1A/1AH – English Composition/Honors
4 units
  • A2
  • 1A

Student Tasks

Course Information
Course Credit Area

Choose one:

  • COM 1/1H – Public Speaking/Honors
  • COM 9/9H – Interpersonal Communication/Honors
3 units
  • A1
  • 1C
Course Information
Course Credit Area
PHY 4A – Mechanics A
4 units
  • M
CHE 1B or 1BH – General Chemistry II/Honors
5 units
  • M
ENG 1B/1BH – Critical Thinking and Writing/Honors
4 units
  • A3
  • 1B

Student Tasks

Course Information
Course Credit Area
Any arts class
3 units
  • C1
  • 3A

Choose one:

  • HIS 6/6H – United States History to 1877/Honors
  • HIS 7 or 7H – United States History from 1865/Honors
  • HIS 11 – Military History of US to 1900
  • HIS 12 – Military History of US since 1900
  • HIS 15 – African American History II
  • HIS 31/ETS 2 – Intro. to Chicano/a Studies
  • HIS 34 – History of Women in America 
3 units. Also satisfies CSU graduation requirement. If not pursuing UC transfer, take this during the next winter session instead.
  • C2
  • 3B
Course Information
Course Credit Area
PHY 4B – Electricity and Magnetism 
4 units
  • M
MAT 1B – Calculus II
4 units. While not a major requirement, this class is a corequisite of PHY 4B and 4C, and often required by biology programs at transfer schools.
    BIO 60/60H – Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology/Honors
    5 units
    • M
    • B2
    • 5B

    Student Tasks

    Course Information
    Course Credit Area
    SPA 1/1H – Spanish 1/Honors (or higher)*
    5 units. Course level depends on Spanish placement. If not transferring to a UC, take the history class suggested during the summer term here.
    • C2
    • 6

    * A language other than English is only a UC requirement. If students take a course at level 2 or higher it can double count as a Humanities class as well for IGETC Area 3B. SPA 1 or higher counts as a Humanities class for CSUGE C2. Students pursuing CSUGE requirements, which do not require a foreign language course, can take the History course suggested during the summer session in this term instead.

    Course Information
    Course Credit Area
    PHY 4C – Heat, Light and Waves
    4 units. While not a major requirement, this is required by some biology programs like CSUSB. Substitute a general education course from an intersession if you choose to opt out.
      BIO 61 – Introduction to Organismal and Population Biology
      5 units
      • M

      POL 1/1H – American Politics/Honors

      3 units. Also satisfies CSU graduation requirement.
      • D
      • 4

      Choose one:

      • SOC 10** – Introduction to Sociology/Honors
      • HIS/ETS 15* – African American History II
      3 units
      • D
      • 4

      Student Tasks

      Resources

      Stay on Track