Biological Sciences, AS (BIOSCI-AS)

CIP Code: 260101

Program Description

An Associate of Science degree in biological sciences prepares students as entry level technicians or for articulation or transfer to a biological sciences baccalaureate degree program. The degree offers a broad, integrated, and in-depth approach to the life sciences. The student who pursues this degree may have an interest in many different jobs such as biological research, medical laboratories, or ecological research.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Describe the field of biology as a science, the chemistry of life, cell structure, cell processes (e.g. mitosis, meiosis, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, communication), the central dogma of molecular biology, and gene expression and regulation.
Understand the processes of experimentation in the laboratory, including recording, analyzing, and summarizing data from an experiment using standard scientific communication formats.
Utilize the scientific method to approach inquiry and investigation into questions pertaining to the study of life

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Demonstrate foundational knowledge of biology in areas consistent with introductory biological chemistry, cell structure, cellular processes (e.g. respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis, meiosis, etc.), genes, heredity, biotechnology, evolution, ecology, diversity of life, anatomy and physiology.
Demonstrate fundamental laboratory techniques essential to biology.
Demonstrate effective communication related to scientific findings.

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Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.

Required:

MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 8 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Required:

BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Required:

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI and IE requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36. Students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s in Biological Science after earning the associate degree will also need to fulfill all of the Integrated Writing (IW) requirements.

II. Major Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

BIO 2110 - Principles of Molecular and Classical Genetics Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 2200 - Microbiology and the Human Environment Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 2200L - Microbiology of the Human Environment Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
BIO 2310L - Evolution and Ecology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 3150 - Invertebrate Zoology Credit Hour(s): 5
BIO 3150L - Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220R - General Chemistry Lab II Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

III. General Electives: 3 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 60 credit hours for an associate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 60 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 60 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Total: 60 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a two-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State associate programs can be completed in two years with careful planning. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.

Biological Sciences, AS, Lake Campus (GPS)