Skip to content
  • Bucks for Students
    Enroll + Register
    • Academics
    • Admissions Information
    • Register for Courses
    • Placement Testing
    • Academic Advising
    • Majors + Certificates
    • College Catalog
    • Bucks Online
    • Honors at Bucks
    • Academic Departments

    Apply Now

    Planning + Payment
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Work Study Employment
    • Payment Options
    • Your Account
    • Tuition + Fees
    Transfer + Graduate
    • Transfer Information
    • Planning Your Transfer
    • Transfer by Institution
    • Transfer by Major
    • Graduate
    • Plan a Career
    • Labor Market

    Attend + Get Involved
    • Bucks+
    • Athletics
    • Bookstore
    • Student Life
    • Veterans
    • Fitness + Wellness
    • Student Government
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Alumni
    • Digital Badges
    • Internships
    • Job Resources

    Basic Needs

    • Accessibility Resources
    • Campus Services
    • Directory
    • Canvas
    • Bucks Email
    • Change Password
    • Pay Tuition
    • Student Planning
    • MyBucks
     
  • Bucks for Community

    Classes + Activities

    personal enrichment people
    Personal Enrichment
    • Art + Design
    • Culinary Classes
    • ESL
    • Business Development
    • Gaming
    • Health + Wellness
    • History + Special Interest
    • Foreign Language
    • Music
    • Test Prep
    • Browse All Courses
    kids on campus
    Kids on Campus Summer Camp
    • Camps for Ages 5-6
    • Camps for Ages 7-9
    • Camps for Ages 10-13
    • Teens On Campus
    • Camp Information
    • Camp Scholarships
    • Preschool Summer Program
    • Register for Camp

    Events

    Event Programs
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Book Discussions
    • Concerts
    • Foundation Events
    • Poetry + Prose
    • Movie Monday
    • Trips + Travel 
    • Event Tickets

    Buy Tickets

    Event Venues

    • Artmobile

    • Sculpture Walk

    • Zlock Performing Arts Center

    • The Gallery at Lower Bucks

    • Hicks Art Center Gallery

     
  • Bucks for Career
    briefcase
    Business + Career
    • Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    • Customized ESL
    • Educators (ACT 48)
    • Browse by Industry
    • Online Learning
    • Professional Development
    • Registered Behavior Technician
    • Microsoft Office Technology & Customer Service
    • Bookkeeping with Quickbooks Certification
    • More
    Firefighter
    Fire + Public Safety
    • PSTC Course Schedule
    • Fire Training Weekends
    • Industrial Safety Training (OSHA)
    • Virtual Public Safety Training
    • Other Training + Resources
    • Training Facilities
    • More
    nurse
    Healthcare
    • CPR + First Aid Training
    • Dental Assistant
    • Nurse Aide
    • Nursing Review & Reentry
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • Physical Therapy Aide
    • Practical Nursing
    • More
    public safety figure
    Industrial + Manufacturing
    • Metalwork Pre-Apprentice Training Program
    • Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprentice Program
    • Locomotive Engineer + Conductor
    • Workforce Development
    • More
    Man fixing server
    Information Technology
    • Certification Testing
    • Cyber Security
    • Database Development
    • Desktop Support (CompTIA)
    • Computer-Aided Design
    • Microsoft Office Software
    • Server Administration
    • Full Stack Web Developer
    • More
     
  • Library
  • Calendar + News
  • Diversity
  • Contact
Bucks County Community College

Catalog

  Catalog  —  Majors and Certificate Programs  —  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics  —  Biology

Biology

Associate of Science


Explore Career Ideas
Biology
Learn about the job market, average salary, and necessary level of training you can expect to encounter in the workforce after completing this program based on data from the PA Department of Labor.

Transfer Major

Decisions on the transferability of courses are made by the four-year colleges and differ from school to school. Students enrolled in this major should contact the Transfer Services Office early in their academic program to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Department
Founders 110 • Phone: 968-8305

Curriculum Code No. 1003

The Biology major provides an understanding of fundamental biological concepts. This major is for students planning to earn a baccalaureate degree in biological science or seeking employment as a technician in areas such as ecology, environmental health and sanitation, pollution control, plant science, or animal science.

Graduates of this program are able to

  • Explain the unity of life.
  • Describe the evidence to support the principle of descent from a common ancestor.
  • Explain the use and distribution of energy in living systems.
  • Construct tables and graphs from collected data and interpret these compilations.
  • Describe the relationship between inheritance, variation and evolution.
  • Demonstrate appropriate techniques to collect, organize, evaluate, and present data.

Prospective students with academic deficiencies should be aware that they will need additional time to acquire the necessary academic background. Prerequisites and corequisites for required courses must be followed.

Degree Course Requirements

Course Credits
BIOL121
Biological Principles I E
4
BIOL122
Biological Principles II E
4
BIOL220
Principles of Ecology E
4
BIOL228
Microbiology 9,E
4
CHEM121
Chemistry I A,E,6,7
4
CHEM122
Chemistry II E
4
CHEM221
Organic Chemistry I E
5
CHEM222
Organic Chemistry II E
5
COLL101
College Success Seminar
1
COMP110
English Composition I A,E,2,10
3
COMP111
English Composition II 2,4,10,E
3
MATH122
Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry A,B,E,H,6
3
MATH125
Pre-Calculus C,E,H,6
4
COMM110
Effective Speaking 4,5,E
3
Social Sciences/Diversity 3,8,F 3
Arts/Humanities 1,D 3
Electives G 4-6
Total Credit Hours 61-63

Recommended Semester Sequence

The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credits hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.

First Semester

Course Credits
BIOL121
Biological Principles I E
4
CHEM121
Chemistry I A,E,6,7
4
COLL101
College Success Seminar
1
COMP110
English Composition I A,E,2,10
3
MATH122
Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry A,B,E,H,6
3
Total Credit Hours 15

Second Semester

Course Credits
CHEM122
Chemistry II E
4
COMP111
English Composition II E,2,4,10
3
BIOL122
Biological Principles II E
4
MATH125
Precalculus C,E,H,6
4
Total Credit Hours 15

Third Semester

Course Credits
CHEM221
Organic Chemistry I E
5
BIOL228
Microbiology 9,E
4
COMM110
Effective Speaking 4,5,E
3
Social Science/Diversity 3,8,F 3
Total Credit Hours 15

Fourth Semester

Course Credits
CHEM222
Organic Chemistry II E
5
BIOL220
Principles of Ecology E
4
Arts/Humanities D,1 3
Electives G 4
Total Credit Hours 16

A Placement testing required.
B MATH140 may be substituted.
C MATH141 may be substituted.
D Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.
E Course requires prerequisite.
F Choose from any of the following choices: COMM111, ECON111, GEOG110, MUSC103, POLI111, PSYC110, SOCI110, SOCI120
G Choose any courses
H Students planning to continue on to a Baccalaureate degree program are strongly urged to continue their math studies through Calculus II

1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities.
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking.
3 Satisfies Diversity.
4 Satisfies Information Literacy.
5 Satisfies Oral Communication.
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy.
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy.
8 Satisfies Social Sciences.
9 Satisfies Technological Competence.
10 Satisfies Writing.

Credits exceeding the required minimum cannot be used to satisfy required credits in other course requirements.

  • Biology
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Science
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Individual Transfer Studies
  • Information Science
  • Mathematics
  • Neuroscience
  • Science
  • Secondary Education: Mathematics
  • Advanced Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Brewing & Fermentation Science
  • Computer Networking
  • Engineering Technology
  • Information Technology
  • Advanced Technology Certificate
  • Biotechnology Certificate
  • Computer Hardware Certificate
  • Computer Networking Certificate

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

215-968-8305 stem@bucks.edu Founders 110

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

215-968-8305 stem@bucks.edu Founders 110
Bucks County Community College | Smart

(215) 968-8000

275 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940

Maps & Directions

  • Newtown Campus
  • Bristol
  • Perkasie
  • Online
  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Tiktok
  • Watch Us on YouTube

© Bucks County Community College.
All rights reserved.

Find Campus Services

  • Accessibility - TAO
  • Admissions
  • Advising
  • AESL Program
  • Basic Needs
  • Bookstore (External Website)
  • Career + Job Resources
  • Catalog
  • Counseling
  • Credit Union
  • Dining
  • Educational Enrichment
  • Financial Aid
  • Fitness and Wellness
  • IT Help Desk
  • KEYS Program
  • Library
  • Media Lab
  • Success Advocates
  • Perkins
  • Early Learning Center
  • Prior Learning Assessment
  • Security + Safety
  • Testing 
  • Transfer + Planning
  • Tutoring
  • Veteran Resources

Faculty + Staff Resources

  • MyBucks
  • Office 365
  • Canvas
  • Faculty Center
  • Faculty Online Resources
  • Professional Development

Get Involved

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Athletics
  • Bucks+
  • Calendar + News
  • Event Tickets
  • Lectures + Conferences
  • Student Life

Read Notices + Policies

  • Academic Policies
  • Student Policies
  • Human Resources Policies
  • Information Technology
  • Administration
  • Advancement
  • Consumer Information
  • Disclaimers
  • Holiday Statement
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Clean Air Zone
  • Web Accessibility

Foundation + Alumni

  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Board of Directors
  • Foundation
  • Scholarships
  • Special Events

Explore Campus

  • Bucks Online
  • Newtown Campus
  • Lower Bucks Campus
  • Upper Bucks Campus
  • Parking
  • Facilities Rental
  • Weddings in Tyler Gardens
  • Purchasing
  • Sustainability
  • Emergency Closing Information

Find Jobs

  • Student + Work-Study Employment
  • Faculty + Staff Employment

Discover Bucks

  • Accreditations
  • Board of Trustees
  • Diversity, Equity + Inclusion
  • History
  • Mission + Vision
  • Office of the President
  • Provide Feedback

Contact Us

  • Ways to Contact Us
  • Faculty + Staff Directory
  • Social Media
  • Report an Issue
  • Emergency Text Alerts
  • System Status
  • Campus Health & Safety Plan