2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology and Biomedical Science (AS-Track 1) Course Map


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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Science (AS-T) Degree Track 1 Degree Requirements , you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school. 

1. College Success


  • Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course. 

2. General Chemistry Prep


  • Course purpose: This class will provide you the necessary mathematics preparation for the Majors Chemistry sequence (CHEM& 161-163). This class is only waived if you have taken CHEM& 121 and earned a 3.0 or better.

3. Math Course Recommendation


Take one course from the group per quarter until sequence is finished.

  • Course purpose: Calculus (MATH& 151 and higher) is taken by all Biology and Biomedical Sciences majors at the university.

     

    Note: It recommended students finish MATH&142 or higher regardless of which course they choose in this category in order to transfer to a Biology program at University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran University, and Western Washington University. 

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  • Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options. 

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  • Transfer Note: MATH& 151 and MATH& 152 are requirements for UWT’s Biomedical Science, B.S. and transfer as TMATH 124 and TMATH 125, respectively.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.

4. Calculus/Statistics Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Note: MATH& 153 may be used as a substitute for MATH& 163.  Please check with your transfer institution to determine how this substitution may impact your transfer-readiness.

  • Course purpose: Calculus is taken by all Biology and Biomedical Sciences majors at the university.

  • Course purpose: This statistics class will help you to understand statistical analyses conducting to find significance in your scientific experiments.

     

    Note: It recommended students finish MATH&142 or higher regardless of which course they choose in this category in order to transfer to a Biology program at University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran University, and Western Washington University. 

5. General Biology w/Lab


  • Course purpose: Overview of biological concepts to prepare for upper level biology courses, and lab experience. You will learn about a survey of biological studies, how to properly use a microscope, and other important lab techniques.

6. Chemistry Course Recommendation


Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.

Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details. https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/graduation

7. English Composition I


  • Course purpose: In the biology and biomedical sciences field you will be reading popular and scientific literature for background knowledge, writing clear hypotheses, critically analyze data, and writing conclusions based on  evidence.

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  • Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.

8. Biology Course Recommendation


Take each course in the following series. These three courses can be taken in any order, including concurrently.

  • Course purpose: This trio of courses provides you with an overview of cell, plant and animal biology and gives you lab experience. These courses will build upon the knowledge gained in BIOL& 160 to prepare students to transfer into 300-level and 400-level courses at the university. You will learn the fundamental, background knowledge to be successful as a biology major.

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  • Transfer Note: BIOL& 211, BIOL& 212, BIOL& 213 are requirements for UWT’s Biomedical Science, B.S. and transfer as TBIOL 120, TBIOL 130, TBIOL 140, respectively.

9. Physics/Chemistry Course Recommendation


Choose one group. Take one course from the group each quarter until sequence is finished.

Group A


Group B


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  • Transfer Note: PHYS& 221 or PHYS& 114 is a requirement for UWT’s Biomedical Science, B.S. and transfers as TPHYS 121.

  • Course purpose: Physics explains interactions between matter and energy which underlies chemical and biological processes. For example, when you learn about photosynthesis, you will learn about the electromagnetic magnetic spectrum, how light travels, refraction, absorption, reflection and the energy conversion from light to chemical. For a biology-major, the physics or organic chemistry series are highly recommended.

Group C


10. Humanities Course Recommendation


Choose one

· World Language (1)


11. Social Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: By looking at the physical features of the earth and atmosphere, and how humans have changed it, you will evaluate concepts of resource limitation, how land is used by humans, and how the arrangement of the earth affects life in that location.

  • Course purpose: Being aware, conscious, and action enabled about advocating for a more equitable community and nation and service, seeing connections from multiple perspectives, becoming an effective advocate for social change. Applying this with scientific perspective, you will be better equipped to cause change.

  • Course purpose: You will develop an understanding of diverse cultural beliefs and customs and have the opportunity to discuss their roles and responsibilities as members of families and communities, which is a part of being an educated scientist who works with a diverse group of people.

  • Course purpose: You will develop an understanding of cognitive structure which include the human body. 

     

    Note: For transfer to Pacific Luteran University pre-med program, PSYC& 100  is a required course. 

12. Social Science/Humanities Course Recommendation


Select one course from courses listed in sequence numbers 10 or 11.

Total Credits 103-109


13. Additional Recommended Course


  • Course purpose: This course involves writing a research paper and will introduce you to using library resources and becoming confident in information competency and effective communication.

  • PE 

  • Note: For transfer to Biology at Pacific Lutheran University, the 3 PE courses are required. 

Adjusted Total Credits 106-117


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