Program: Pre-Professional: Associate of Science, concentration in Biology, Pre-Professional Emphasis - Palo Alto College

Apr 08, 2025

The Associate of Science with a concentration in Biology, Pre-Professional Emphasis provides students a broad foundation in preparation for professional careers in Human Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Students preparing for careers in these areas will be exposed to a solid foundation of scientific methodology and the fundamental principles of Biology. Students are encouraged to contact the institution to which they plan to transfer for specific requirements in Mathematics and the Sciences.

PAC students interested in pursuing the field of Veterinary Medicine should follow the TAMU/PAC 2+2 Biomedical Sciences degree plan.

Degree Requirements (Total Credit Hours 61)

Communication (9 Hours)

ENGL 1301 - Composition I
ENGL 1302 - Composition II
Select 1 course from:
SPCH 1311 - Introduction to Speech Communication
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking
SPCH 1321 - Business and Professional Communication

Mathematics (4 Hours) *

MATH 1442 - Elementary Statistical Methods
or
MATH 2412 - Precalculus

Natural Sciences (8 Hours)**

BIOL 1406 - Biology for Science Majors I
BIOL 1407 - Biology for Science Majors II

Humanities and Visual/Performing Arts (9 Hours)

Select 1 course from the Humanities (40) Core
Select 1 course from the Additional Humanities (41) Core
Select 1 course from the Visual and Performing Arts (50) Core

Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 Hours)

Select 2 courses from the Government (70) Core
Select 2 courses from the History (60) Core
Select 1 course from the Social and Behavioral Sciences (80) Core

Additional Requirements (16 Hours)

CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 1412 - General Chemistry II
Select 2 from the following: ***
BIOL 2421 - Microbiology for Science Majors
BIOL 2416 - Genetics
PHYS 1401 - General Physics I
PHYS 1402 - General Physics II
CHEM 2323 - Organic Chemistry Lecture I
And CHEM 2223 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2325 - Organic Chemistry Lecture II
And CHEM 2225 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

NOTES:

*Students should check with the university to which they plan to transfer to confirm the upper level math requirements and to ensure that appropriate courses are selected at PAC that will apply to the baccalaureate degree.

**6 Credit Hours are applied to the core for graduation; however, STEM students transferring to universities must take both the lecture and lab components of their Natural Science Courses.

***Students should check with the transfer university regarding the best upper level science credits to take for seamless transfer.

CIP Code: 51.1100
Major Code: BIOP