Oct 31, 2024  
2024-2025 SLCC General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 SLCC General Catalog

Biology: AS


Associate of Science | 64 credits minimum

Program Website
Academic Advising

Program Description
The Biology Department offers a program leading to an associate of science degree. The required courses in this program will give a student an excellent and broad foundation on which to further their studies. Most of the courses in the program have required laboratory components to allow first-hand experience in the study of biology. A laboratory fee is charged for laboratory courses. Upon finishing the requirements for an AS degree in biology, and after acceptance into a major program, a student should be able to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution with two additional years of study. A full year of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus and physics is highly recommended for any student transferring to a four-year institution.

Career Opportunities 
An Associate’s Degree in Biology can offer employment opportunities as a technician in the field of conservation, environmental science or health with a median wage of about $40,000/year in the state of Utah, according to the Department of Workforce services (2024). Upon completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, the career opportunities increase substantially to include Health Science professionals, Microbiologists, Wildlife Biologists and Forensic Scientists to name a few. The median wage also increases to about $70,000 annually, both in Utah and nationally (UDWS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). 

Transfer/Articulation Information
Please refer to the Student Resources section of the SLCC University Transfer webpage.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx  
Course Fees: $180

Note: Fees vary based upon specific registration and are subject to changes.

Program Entry Requirements
Preparation Note: Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses should plan on extra time to complete the program. For a student majoring in biology, Calculus I is considered the entry-level math class, but students can take MATH 1040 . MATH 1050  is a pre-requisite for some of the required courses. Students should check the semester class schedule for day/evening availability, locations and modifications caused by varying enrollment. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their Program Advisor to discuss their course schedules and course taking pathway.

General Education Requirements


Complete all General Education courses. Refer to Notes for program specific requirements and recommendations. 

  

Program General Education Notes


REQUIRED:

Composition (EN): ENGL 1010 and 

ENGL 2100

Quantitative Literacy (QL): MATH 1040 or 

MATH 1210

Life Science (LS): BIOL 1610 and 

BIOL 1615

Physical Science (PS): component is satisfied through pre-major coursework.

Program Requirements


Additional Program Notes


1MATH 1210  and CHEM 2320  / CHEM 2325  are required at most USHE institutions for a 4-year degree in Biology.

2BIOL 2020  and BIOL 2030   are required for students transferring to the University of Utah.

3BIOL 2220   is required for students transferring to Utah State University.

Time to Completion & Graduation Map


  • Biology AS: Full-time  
  • If students follow the suggested sample schedule, time to completion is four semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes


Program learning outcome alignment with Student Learning Outcomes  in brackets.

  • Provide students with a complete understanding of the method and practice of science.[1,3,4,6]
  • Provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in the biological sciences. [1,3,4,6,7]
  • Prepare majors to further their education in the biological sciences. [1,4,6,7]
  • Provide students with the technical and analytical skills used in modern biological research. [1,3,4,6,8,9]
  • Train students to access and critically evaluate information in biology. [2,4,6,7,8]