Associate Degree in
Associate Degree in Biology College of Alameda
Introduction
Biology courses satisfy the physical and life sciences requirements for transfer into four-year colleges and universities in majors other than biology and health science, and they satisfy the natural science requirement for an AA degree. You may also take biology courses to meet continuing education requirements in the health professions, or for personal interest.
What you will learn
A biology major will prepare you to transfer into a four-year university program in biology or health science (nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician’s assistant). If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, a biology major will provide you with the prerequisites for entry into professional schools of medicine or dentistry.
Why Study Biology?
Biologists take very diverse career paths. Some enter health fields like medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, and pharmacy. Others enter into research in environmental and conservation areas. Training in biology can also lead to careers in biotechnology and other fields of technology. Because we ourselves are life forms, interacting with and dependent on other life forms, it is important for any educated person to have an understanding of the basics of biology. This is why we invite and encourage all students to take at least one of our courses
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships provide students with opportunities to attend college, advance their knowledge and skills for career readiness and help them prepare for both academic opportunities and financial challenges after transfer. This website provides information and resources to assist students in how to begin their search for scholarship opportunities. Note that requirements and deadlines vary among every scholarship.
College of Alameda Promise
The College of Alameda (COA) Promise is a pathway for Alameda high school graduates to access a quality college education. Eligible students will receive a year of college without fees.
Peralta Foundation Scholarships
Each semester, the Peralta Colleges Foundation is committed to providing students with access to post-secondary education and persistence services so they can complete college prepared for a successful career. The Peralta Promise enables qualifying students to attend their first semester at one of the Peralta Colleges – Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda, or Berkeley City College – for free!
External Scholarships
Here is a list of general scholarships that are available for community college students. Not every scholarship has a citizenship requirement. Review the following scholarships for your eligibility.
Curriculum
Degree Major Requirements
| DEPT/NO. | Title | Units |
| BIOL 1A | General Biology | 5 |
| BIOL 1B | General Biology | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry | 5 |
| PHYS 4A | General Physics w/ Calculus | 5 |
| PHYS 4B | General Physics w/ Calculus | 5 |
Total Required Units: 30
Program Outcome
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
- Students demonstrate skills necessary to operate equipment used in biological disciplines, such as compound and dissecting microscopes, analytical balances, sphygmomanometers, and spectroscopes.
- Students understand and discuss different life forms based on their general knowledge of biological diversity and taxonomic relationships.
- Students apply an understanding of the scientific method to critical analyses of scientific and nonscientific explanations and hypotheses.
- Students are able to differentiate scientific hypotheses, derived through the scientific method, from explanations generated through nonscientific methods.
- Students are able to explain verbally or in writing, the differences between 2 domains and differences between the different subgroups within the prokaryotes eukaryotes
Career Opportunities
What can I do with a degree in Biology (BIOL)
Biologists take very diverse career paths. Some enter health fields like medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, and pharmacy. Others enter into research in environmental and conservation areas. Training in biology can also lead to careers in biotechnology and other fields of technology.