Jun 07, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook

STEM Major, AS in Science


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CIP Code: 30.0101
Length: 4 Semesters

Purpose

The STEM major in the Associate of Science in Science degree is designed for persons who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree and major in biology, chemistry, physics environmental science or to prepare for health fields that require education beyond the baccalaureate, such as medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and physical therapy. Students are encouraged to investigate Guaranteed Admission Agreements (GAAs) available for many colleges and universities in Virginia. Interested students should discuss GAAs with their academic advisor, contact the admission office of their selected college, and review the college’s transfer guide.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into this program requires proficiency in English and mathematics. Through the direct enrollment and self-enrollment survey or other measures, students will be placed in the appropriate developmental or co-requisite support courses in English and mathematics. Although developmental or support course credits do not apply toward the degree, these courses prepare students for collegiate-level work. Students required to take two or more developmental or co-requisite support courses may need additional semesters to complete the degree.

Program Requirement

This curriculum should provide sufficient flexibility to meet lower-division requirements for science majors at a variety of colleges and universities. Further, it should provide students success in transferring to obtain a baccalaureate degree. Students should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure their successful transfer.

First Semester


First Semester Total Credits: 18


Second Semester Total Credits: 17


Third Semester


Third Semester Total Credits: 13


Fourth Semester


Fourth Semester Total Credits: 13


Total Minimum Credits: 61


1 Only UCGS courses fulfill this requirement: HIS 101  HIS 102  HIS 111  HIS 112  HIS 121  and HIS 122 ..
2 MTH 161  MTH 162  MTH 167  MTH 261  MTH 263  and MTH 264   fulfill this requirement. Students should consult with their academic advisor to select courses required by their desired degree at their transfer institution.
Courses used to fulfill this requirement: BIO 141  BIO 142  BIO 205, BIO 231  and BIO 232  . 
​4 CHM 111  and CHM 112  are strongly recommended. CHM 101  may, but students should consult with their academic advisor to select courses required by their desired degree at their transfer institution.
5 Courses used to fulfill this requirement: ART 100  ART 101  ART 102  MUS 121  PHI 100  PHI 220  REL 200  and REL 240 .  Literature courses cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Students should consult with their academic advisor to select courses required by their desired degree at their transfer institution.
6 Only UCGS courses fulfill this requirement: ENG 225  ENG 246  ENG 250  ENG 255  ENG 258  and ENG 275. 
7 PSY 200  and SOC 200  are strongly recommended.   Other courses that fulfill this requirement are: GEO 210 , PLS 135 , SOC 211 , ECO 201  and ECO 202 .  Students should consult with their academic advisor to select courses required by their desired degree at their transfer institution.
8 24 credits of lab sciences (4 credits each) are required for this degree. The choice of sciences depends on your transfer institution requirements but you must take at least two courses from the following lab sciences: BIO 101  BIO 102 , CHM 101  CHM 111  CHM 112 , PHY 100  PHY 201  or PHY 202   
9 Only UCGS-approved transfer electives should be taken. Students should consult with their academic advisor to select courses required by their desired degree at their transfer institution.

 

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