Natural Sciences Emphasis (AA Degree A8988)

Natural Sciences Division
A8988

An emphasis in Natural Sciences provides the student with an understanding of living and non-living systems and promotes an appreciation of the methodologies and tools of science. Students may select courses that focus on a specific major and then select complementary courses to strengthen their selected focus or they may select courses that strengthen and broaden their overall understanding of the Natural Sciences.

This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

Required Courses

Course Prefix Course Name Units
Choose a minimum of 18 units from the following with at least one GE lab from each group:18-22
Group 1A: Physical Science Lecture Courses
(May take one or more courses from Group 1A)
Introduction to Astronomy
Introduction to Astronomy - Honors
Geology of the Solar System
Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Introduction to Astrophysics
Chemistry of Everyday Life
Physical Geography
Physical Geography - Honors
Geology of California
Earth Science
Earth Science - Honors
Environmental Geology
Natural Disasters
Global Climate Change
Weather and the Atmospheric Environment
Introduction to Oceanography
Introduction to Oceanography - Honors
Group 1B: Physical Science Lab Courses
(Must take at least one course from either Group 1B or 1C)
Astronomical Observing Laboratory
Physical Geography Laboratory
Physical Geography Laboratory - Honors
Earth Science Laboratory
Environmental Geology Laboratory
Weather and Atmospheric Environment Laboratory
Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory
Group 1C: Physical Science Lecture-Lab Courses
(Must take at least one course from either Group 1B or 1C)
Chemistry for Allied Health Majors
Introductory Organic and Biochemistry
Introduction to General Chemistry
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry I - Honors
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry II - Honors
Chemistry for Engineers
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Introduction to Engineering
Engineering Critical Thinking
Introduction to Engineering Programming Concepts and Methodologies
Properties of Materials
Physical Geology
Geologic Field Studies: Central California
Geologic Field Studies: Southern California
Special Topics in Field Geology
Energy Science
Physical Science
Physics
General Physics
General Physics
Engineering Physics
Engineering Physics
Engineering Physics
General Physics with Calculus
General Physics with Calculus
Group 2A: Life Sciences Lecture Courses
(May take one or more courses from Group 2A)
Biological Anthropology
Biological Anthropology - Honors
Humans and the Environment
Neurobiology and Behavior
Marine Biology
Fundamentals of Genetics
Introduction to Immunology
Group 2B: Life Science Lab Courses
(Must take at least one course from either Group 2B or 2C)
Choose at least one from the following:
Biological Anthropology Laboratory
Humans and the Environment Laboratory
Marine Biology Laboratory
Fundamentals of Genetics Laboratory
Group 2C: Life Science Lecture-Lab Courses
(Must take at least one course from either Group 2B or 2C)
General Biology
Plant and Animal Biology
Ecology and Field Biology
Biology for Majors
Biology for Majors - Honors
Cell and Molecular Biology
Plant Structures, Functions, and Diversity
Principles of Microbiology
Microbiology
Total Units18-22

Natural Sciences Division Website 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

  • Analyze and model chemical, physical, or biological systems using scientific and/or mathematical methods.
  • Analyze and model chemical, physical, or biological systems using scientific and/or mathematical methods.
  • Critically read, interpret, and analyze a range of complex text and data to make connections and draw meaningful conclusions.
  • Identify and model the professional and ethical responsibilities of a scientist.
  • Communicate scientific principles and applications effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Describe the impact of humans and our technology in an environmental and societal context.
  • Pursue further study or life-long learning in the sciences.
  • Work collaboratively to reach a common goal or solve a problem.

    Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
ENGL 1A Freshman Composition 4
AA/S MATH Meet AA/AS Math Comptcy Req 5
Select Group 1A: one class 1
Select Group 1B: one lab with class from group 1A 1
Select Group 1C if no class taken from group 1B 1
ENGR 1 OR ENGR 1C OR ENGR 6 OR ENGR 8 0
ASTR 5 OR ASTR 5L OR ASTR 7 OR ASTR 8 4
GEOG 1 OR GEOG 1L 0
GEOL 8 OR GEOL 8L 0
GEOL 9 OR GEOL 9L 0
METO 3 OR METO 3L 0
OCEA 10 OR OCEA 10L 0
CHEM 10 OR CHEM 40 OR CHEM 50 OR CHEM 51 OR CHEM 55 OR CHEM 80 OR CHEM 81
GEOL 1 OR GEOL 24 OR GEOL 25 OR GEOL 29 OR PHSC 3 OR PHSC 9 0
PHYS 1 OR PHYS 2AG OR PHYS 2BG OR PHYS 4A OR PHYS 4B OR PHYS 4C OR PHYS 6A OR PHYS 6B 0
 Units9
Winter Term 1
SPCH 1A OR SPCH 2 4
 Units0
Spring Term 1
AA/S LIFE Area E Lifelong Undrstg Course 3
AA/S ARTS Area C-1 Arts Course 3
A/AS PE 1
AA/S BEHAV Area D-2 Elective Course 3
Select Group 2: Life Science w/lab 2 classes 2
(BIOL 6 AND BIOL 6L) OR (ANTH 1 AND ANTH 1L) OR (BIOL 20 AND BIOL 21) OR (BIOL 34 AND BIOL 34L) 4
BIOL 4 OR BIOL 8 OR BTNY 3 OR MICR 1 OR MICR 22 0
 Units10
Summer Term 1
AA/S HUM Area C-2 Humanities Course 3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
AA/S USHIS Area D-1 Hist/Pol Sc Course 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
Select 8-11 units from electives course listed 1
ENGR 1 OR ENGR 1C OR ENGR 6 OR ENGR 8
ANTH 1 OR ANTH 1L OR ASTR 5 OR ASTR 5L OR ASTR 7 OR ASTR 8 8
ASTR 11 OR BIOL 1 OR BIOL 2 OR BIOL 3 OR BIOL 4 OR BIOL 6 0
BIOL 17 OR BIOL 20 OR BIOL 21 OR BIOL 25 OR BIOL 6L OR BIOL 8 0
BIOL 34 OR BIOL 34L OR BTNY 3 OR CHEM 10 OR CHEM 20 OR CHEM 9 OR METO 3 0
CHEM 40 OR CHEM 50 OR CHEM 51 OR CHEM 80 OR CHEM 81 OR METO 3L 0
GEOG 1 OR GEOG 1L OR GEOL 1 OR GEOL 7 OR GEOL 8 OR GEOL 9 0
GEOL 10 OR GEOL 24 OR GEOL 25 OR GEOL 29 OR GEOL 30 OR MICR 1 0
MICR 22 OR MICR 26 OR OCEA 10 OR OCEA 10L OR PHSC 3 OR PHSC 9 0
PHYS 1 OR PHYS 2AG OR PHYS 4A OR PHYS 4B OR PHYS 4C OR PHYS 6A OR PHYS 6B 0
 Units6
Winter Term 2
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
 Units3
Spring Term 2
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
Additional Science course to meet 18 units minimum 8
Take electives to reach 60 degree applicable units 0
Natural Sciences Emphasis, AA A8988 8
Submit petition: inside.mtsac.edu, Student Tab#45 5
 Units12
 Total Units43
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