General Sciences AA

What can I do with this?

The General Sciences AA Degree

• Prepares students for upper-division course work after transfer to a four-year science degree program.
• Has several emphases in order to meet the needs of students interested in biology, chemistry and physical sciences.

You can use this to:

• Earn a two-year Associates Degree
• Transfer to a 4-year science degree program

What will I learn?

• To demonstrate proficient preparation for upper division science courses at the appropriate transfer institution in the chosen emphasis: biology, chemistry, or physical science.
• To perform hands-on laboratory and/or field experiments of all science classes safely.
• To demonstrate mastery of the Scientific Method, including the experimental and empirical methodologies characteristic of science and the modern methods and tools used in scientific inquiry.
• To demonstrate an ability to communicate scientific results, including as appropriate graphically, verbally and in writing.

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the Department Chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation and verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please see a counselor for more information about the Prerequisite Challenge process.

BIOLOGY EMPHASIS: The biology emphasis provides students with the core science courses needed for transfer to a four-year institution. Graduates with a biology emphasis are prepared for further studies which allow work in a variety of fields including: biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, ecology, entomology, genetics, health, immunology, medicine, molecular biology, oceanography, pharmacy, teaching, wildlife management, zoology and related clinical fields. Physics requirements for biology majors can vary among institutions. Students should check with a counselor concerning requirements for specific transfer institutions.

Complete all of the following courses:

CHEMISTRY EMPHASIS: This emphasis provides students who are planning on majoring in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering at a four-year university with the first two years of their core chemistry classes. Students should check with a counselor concerning requirements for specific transfer institutions.

Complete all of the following courses:

PHYSICAL SCIENCES EMPHASIS: Provides students who are planning on majoring in physics, geology, astronomy or other physical sciences with the necessary lower division courses in mathematics and physics. The Math, Chemistry and Physics requirements for transfer vary among institutions and students should check with a counselor for the specific requirements.

Complete all of the following courses:

General Ed Requirements

Complete one of the following general education patterns:

• Option A
• Option B | Cal-GETC – California General Education Transfer Curriculum

Program Pathways

All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: Ridgecrest/IWV

Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.

Approximate Total Costs

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.