Program Codes:
BIO.AS
Associate in Science Degree
Students choose from one of three biology curricula: traditional biology major, pre-professional and biotechnology. These curricula parallel the first two years of a baccalaureate degree in biology. The traditional Biology option prepares students, upon graduation, for transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a career in biology-related fields such as molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, ecology, biology education, medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.
Students interested in pre-chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy or physician’s assistant may major in the Biology Pre-Professional option. The students choosing the Biotechnology option acquire knowledge in inorganic and organic chemistry, genetics, microbiology, cell biology and molecular biology as well as achieving competence in laboratory techniques and instrumentation that are relevant to the biotechnology industry.
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
A study of the basic principles and origins of life; the chemistry of living things; cell structure, function and reproduction; cell metabolic process including cellular respiration and photosynthesis; Mendelian genetics and modern genetics principles. Required for science transfer students in the biology option and biology pre-professional option and biotechnology.
CHM 121
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
A passing score on the College placement test or a grade of “C” or better in ENG-010
Emphasis is on those topics from algebra and trigonometry that best prepare students for the first course in calculus. The areas of study are algebraic and transcendental functions and their graphs. Of special interest are polynomials, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Additional topics include vectors, polar coordinate systems, matrics and determinants. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
Physical/Health Education Elective
A survey of plant and animal taxonomy, anatomy and physiology; evolutionary theory and principles of ecology. Laboratory sessions include dissections.
CHM-121 with a grade of “C” or better
CHM 122
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students will engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
Presents fundamental ideas of calculus such as the derivative, integral and their applications. Topics include fundamentals of analytic geometry. The first course in a sequence of calculus courses intended for the student interested in mathematics, engineering and the natural, physical and social sciences. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
A comprehensive study of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. Topics include: cellular and viral structure and function, taxonomy, microbial metabolism and genetics, physical and chemical methods of controlling microorganisms and concepts of pathogenicity and immunology. The laboratory exercises emphasize practical skills in manipulating, observing, controlling and identifying microbes.
Emphasizes theoretical models and basic physical principles. The course is precalculus based and uses some basic calculus in the development and applications of physical principles in a scientific environment. Students will use computers in the laboratory for developing programming skills for the analysis of experimental data. Topics include kinematics, dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, waves, temperature and heat and thermodynamics. The first semester of a two-semester college-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students.
This course is to be taken in conjunction with General Physics I and is the first semester of a two semester laboratory university-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students. Students will make measurements and develop an understanding of the errors in those measurements and the final result. The importance of maintaining a laboratory notebook is emphasized as well as accurate and concise reporting of the data and results; data interpretation is also emphasized. The computer is used of data acquisition and analysis. Laboratory safety is also discussed.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
This course introduces students to a problem solving approach to computer applications through the use of spreadsheets, database, presentation manager, a programming language and Internet skills. It emphasizes Visual Basic and Microsoft Excel, in addition to surveying fundamental computer concepts and is designed for students who already possess a familiarity with computer applications. It is recommended for students planning to transfer to an upper division college that has a computer programming requirement in its computer literacy course. This course is suitable for liberal arts, science transfer and business transfer students who wish to transfer to a university and complete their bachelor,s degree.
Emphasizes theoretical models and basic physical principles. The course is precalculus-based and uses some basic calculus in the development and applications of physical principles in a scientific environment. Students will use computers in the laboratory for developing programming skills and for the analysis of experimental data. Topics include electro-statics, direct current circuits, electromagnetism, alternating currents, electromagnetic waves, geometrical and physical optics, quantum theory, atomic physics and nuclear physics. The second semester of two-semester college-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students.
This course is to be taken in conjunction with General Physics II and is the second semester of a two semester laboratory university-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students. Students will make measurements and develop an understanding of the errors in those measurements and the final result. The importance of maintaining a laboratory notebook is emphasized as well as accurate and concise reporting of the data and results; data interpretation is also emphasized. The computer is used of data acquisition and analysis. Laboratory safety is also discussed.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Contact Name: Dr. Parag Muley, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2592
Contact Email: pmuley@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: http://www2.middlesexcc.edu/academics/academic-departments/natural-sciences-homepage.html
They concentrate on the theoretical and applied sciences, and mathematics. Their studies prepare them to meet the challenges of advanced study in professional careers.
A passing score on the College’s mathematics placement test for both Algebra I and Algebra II or MAT-013 and MAT-014 is required for all biology majors. In addition, a high school laboratory biology course with a minimum grade of “C” or BIO-010 and a high school laboratory chemistry or CHM-010 with a minimum grade of “C” are also required.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all of the lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements with private institutions may provide similar transfer provisions. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.