Nov 21, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Catalog

Pre-Biology, A.A. (General Transfer)


Academic Program Code:  560

This academic program lays the foundation for students to transfer to 4-year colleges and universities to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences.  It can serve as a starting point for students interested in a general biology major and also for students who know what discipline within biology they are interested in.  Majoring in biology will prepare students to pursue a career in research, teaching, or the allied health sciences.  By declaring this Pre-Major, students are on track to graduate with an Associate of Arts degree from GRCC and transfer to a 4-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences.

 

General Transfer Notes and Michigan Transfer Agreement


The coursework needed to complete this program is listed below.  The courses commonly transfer and satisfy 4-year program requirements at 4-year institutions in Michigan. 

To ensure maximum transferability of individual courses, all course selections should be based on the degree, major, minor, or academic interest at the 4-year transfer institution students plan to attend.

Students should research and utilize all transfer resources available to maximize the number of GRCC courses that transfer and apply to their 4-year program.

Because transferability of courses varies by institution, students should contact the 4-year institution they plan to attend to obtain detailed information about transfer requirements. The 4-year institutions ultimately make the decisions about how each course will be used to meet their program requirements.

GRCC advisors and faculty are available to help students navigate transfer resources and create an individualized transfer plan, including selection of courses, which meets all GRCC and transfer institution requirements.

Graduates of this program will earn an Associate of Arts degree from GRCC and may be eligible to earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) credential.

Admission requirements to 4-year institutions and 4-year programs vary. Students should review the specific admission requirements for the institution and program to which they are transferring.

MiTransfer Pathway


This GRCC academic program is associated with the MiTransfer Pathways Agreement for Biology. More information about the MiTransfer Pathways Agreement and requirements, can be found here: GRCC MiTransfer.

General Education Courses


Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework from the General Education course list. Select coursework as directed below.  Use transfer resources available to select coursework based on the transfer requirements of the bachelor’s degree program and institution to which you are transferring.

English Composition and Communications


Humanities


Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas. Only one (1) Foreign Language course can be used for the Humanities requirement.

Social Sciences


Select two (2) Social Sciences General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics


Mathematics


Select one (1) Mathematics General Education Elective.

General Education Total Credit Hours


30 (minimum)

Program Elective Courses


Select a minimum of three (3) courses from the list below based on your transfer requirements. You may be able to select more than the minimum number of courses required for this section depending on the program and degree requirements at the institution to which you are transferring.

Chemistry and Physics courses should be selected based on your education and career goals. For example, CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 270 , and CHM 271   may be more appropriate for students interested in Pre-Medical, Pre-Vet, Pre-Professional and Graduate School Programs.” 

Open Elective Courses


The remaining number of courses needed to complete the program will depend on the number of credit hours remaining needed to reach the 60 credits required for graduation. Course selections should be made based on transfer requirements. 

Total Credit Hours


60

In What Order Should I Take Classes?


Please select courses from the Priority I list.  Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed.  If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

Priority I Priority II  

 

EN 101 - English Composition I  

BI 151 - Introduction to Cells, Molecules, and Genes  

CHM 130 - General Chemistry I 

CHM 131 - General Chemistry I Laboratory  

General Education Course-Mathematics   

 

EN 102 - English Composition II  

OR

COM 131 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking  

OR

COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication  

General Education Course

BI 152 - Biological Diversity 

CHM 140 - General Chemistry II 

CHM 141 - General Chemistry II Laboratory   

Priority III Priority IV  

General Education Course

General Education Course

General Education Course

Program Elective Course

Program Elective Course   

Program Elective Course

Open Elective Course

Open Elective Course

Open Elective Course

Open Elective Course

 

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult my Academic Progress for specific degree requirements.