Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
University Studies: Biological Sciences AA Degree
University Studies – 22 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1507
The Biological Sciences emphasis is designed to provide the lower division major preparation for transfer in Biological Sciences.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalENGL C1000
GE
4
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1000
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL C1000E is a recommended alternative to ENGL C1000.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HIST 17A
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17A
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or higher
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
CHEM 1A
GE
M
Lab
5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1A
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.
This course is for science and engineering majors which covers the nature of atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical reactions; precipitation, oxidation-reduction, and acid/base chemistry; stoichiometry; electronic structure; periodicity; chemical bonding and molecular structure; properties of solids, liquids, and gases; and an introduction to thermodynamics and solutions. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is for science and engineering majors which covers the nature of atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical reactions; precipitation, oxidation-reduction, and acid/base chemistry; stoichiometry; electronic structure; periodicity; chemical bonding and molecular structure; properties of solids, liquids, and gases; and an introduction to thermodynamics and solutions. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
MATH 3A
GE
M
4
Calculus 3A
MATH 3A
Advisory: English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is the first semester of a four-semester sequence covering differentiation of single variable functions, applications of the derivative, an introduction to integration, and an introduction to differential equations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is the first semester of a four-semester sequence covering differentiation of single variable functions, applications of the derivative, an introduction to integration, and an introduction to differential equations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalENGL C1001
GE
3
Critical Thinking and Writing
ENGL C1001
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
COMM C1000
GE
3
Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM C1000
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
Apply Now
CHEM 1B
Pre.
M
Lab
5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1B
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.
An introduction to chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry, transition metals, and organic chemistry; along with continued, in-depth study of equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acid-base and solution chemistry. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
An introduction to chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry, transition metals, and organic chemistry; along with continued, in-depth study of equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acid-base and solution chemistry. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
MATH 3B
Pre.
5
Calculus 3B
MATH 3B
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course covers techniques of integration including substitution, integration by parts, and partial fractions; improper integrals; applications of integration to geometry and physics, such as finding areas, volumes and arc length, work, center of mass, and fluid force; sequences and series; absolute convergence and convergence tests; power series, Taylor series, and MacLaurin series; first-order ordinary differential equations and linear second-order differential equations; and parametric and polar curve differentiation and integration. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course covers techniques of integration including substitution, integration by parts, and partial fractions; improper integrals; applications of integration to geometry and physics, such as finding areas, volumes and arc length, work, center of mass, and fluid force; sequences and series; absolute convergence and convergence tests; power series, Taylor series, and MacLaurin series; first-order ordinary differential equations and linear second-order differential equations; and parametric and polar curve differentiation and integration. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Fall Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalPOLS C1000
GE
3
American Government and Politics
POLS C1000
Advisory: ENGL C1000 or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ART 1
GE
3
Introduction to Art
ART 1
This course provides a general introduction to art that offers a look at works of art through the study of theory, terminology, themes, design principles, media, and techniques, with an introduction to the visual arts across time and diverse cultures. This course is recommended as a Humanities elective. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
BOT 1
M
Lab
4
General Botany
BOT 1
Advisory: BIOL 1 or BIOL 10 with a grade of C or higher
Note: This course includes required field trips that may extend past normal class times.
This Botany course is intended for science majors and covers comparative diversity, structure, and function of major plant and plant-like groups. Topics include plant development, morphology and physiology, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and ethnobotany. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
Apply Now
Note: This course includes required field trips that may extend past normal class times.
This Botany course is intended for science majors and covers comparative diversity, structure, and function of major plant and plant-like groups. Topics include plant development, morphology and physiology, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, and ethnobotany. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
MATH 4A
Pre.
4
Calculus 4A
MATH 4A
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course covers vectors in two and three dimensions, multi-variable functions, partial differentiation, multiple integrals, line integrals, divergence, gradient, curl, Stokes' Theorem, Divergence Theorem, and Green's Theorem. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course covers vectors in two and three dimensions, multi-variable functions, partial differentiation, multiple integrals, line integrals, divergence, gradient, curl, Stokes' Theorem, Divergence Theorem, and Green's Theorem. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalETHS 1
GE
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HUM 4
GE
3
Humanities Through the Film
HUM 4
This course is an examination of the motion picture as an art form. This course offers a concise introduction to the history of film against the broader changes in popular culture since the late nineteenth century. Students will see how elements of film can provide valuable insights into how movies communicate and convey meaning to their audiences using a unique network of techniques. Students will see how film, film genres, and developments within the film industry offer a first-hand look at how specific films illuminate important aspects of philosophical, historical, aesthetic, and social life and analyze how film connects with the larger world. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
BIOL 1
Pre.
M
Lab
4
Principles of Biology
BIOL 1
This is a biological science course emphasizing molecular and cellular organization, energetics of respiration and photosynthesis, and cell integration and development. Topics covered include general principles of heredity, evolution, speciation and ecology. This course is intended for majors in science.
Apply Now
ZOOL 1
M
Lab
4
General Zoology
ZOOL 1
This course focuses on the study of the major divisions of the animal kingdom with emphasis on the origin, adaptations, functions, and development.
Apply Now
Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
Contact Us for More Information
Counseling & Student Services
Contact Info
Phone
(530) 242-7724
Fax
(530) 225-4652
Academic/Instructional Division Office
Phone
(530) 242-7560
Location
Main Redding Campus | 1023
Start Your Future at Shasta College
We are dedicated to helping you reach your educational and career goals. To begin your journey, apply for admissions today!