Associate in Biology (DTA/MRP)

Students must complete three credits of physical education. See the Associate in Arts (AA-DTA) degree requirements for specific course options to fulfill this requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate competence in standard laboratory techniques and use of technology and equipment.
Research and communicate (visually, orally and in writing) credible scientific information from a variety of sources.
Explain (classify, correlate and predict cause and effect) the core concepts of biology and chemistry: evolution, genetics, systematics, quantum mechanics, etc.
Collect, analyze and interpret data using the scientific method.
Differentiate between science and pseudoscience.
Calculate, analyze, solve, interpret and graph quantitative data.
Relate science to personal, social and global impact and its interconnectedness.

Biology DTA/MRP Requirements

Importance of Advising. Advising is an important part of completing a degree. Each student should meet with an advisor as early as possible. Students are responsible for checking the transfer requirements of the college or university they plan to attend; advisors can help with this.

General Requirements

90 Credits Total: Complete at least 90 credits of courses numbered 100 or higher
2.0+ Cumulative GPA: Earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Note: Some Biology programs may require a higher cumulative GPA, or a higher GPA in specific courses.
25% of Total Credits at Highline: Complete at least 25% of your 90 total credits at Highline. This is the “Residency” requirement.
75+ Credits Fully Transferable: At least 75 credits must be designated as fully transferable. All Distribution Area and PE Activity courses are fully transferable.
Maximum 15 Credits Restricted: Courses that are not fully transferable are called “restricted.” Students can use no more than 15 restricted credits for their degree. Restricted courses include most Professional-Technical courses, College Studies, PE Activity courses, independent studies, credit by examination, military experience credit, CLEP and other nontraditional credit. AP courses are generally not restricted.
Maximum 15 Credits CR/NC: You can choose to have a course graded as CR/NC, but no more than 15 credits of CR/NC courses can apply to your degree.
Maximum 3 Credits PE Activity: All PE courses are either “Activity” or “Theory” courses. You can only use 3 credits of PE Activity for your degree.

For more information, refer to the Associate Degree and Certificate Requirements page.

Specific Requirements

Communications Skills: 15 credits

Complete the required 10 credits of English and 5 credits of Communication Studies courses. Courses used to meet the Communication Skills requirement cannot apply to other requirements.

Complete the following:

Complete one of the following:

Quantitative Skills: 5 credits

Complete one of the following:

Complete a Quantitative Skills course from the list below. The course used to meet the Quantitative Skills requirement cannot apply to other requirements.

Note: Some colleges and universities require an additional math course.

Diversity & Globalism: 3 credits

Complete at least 3 credits of Diversity and Globalism coursework. This course can apply to another requirement, so choose one that will also meet a Distribution or Elective requirement.

Some potential transfer institutions may require a Diversity and/or Globalism course, check transfer institutions equivalency guides for courses that may meet both schools’ requirements.

Distribution Requirements

A complete list of courses in the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science distributions can be found on the Distribution Areas page.

Humanities Distribution: 10 credits

Note: Some colleges and universities require two years of high school world language or fluency in more than one language. If a student doesn’t have either, they need two quarters of a college world language. Students can take the first in Humanities Area 1 and the second as an elective.

Complete the following:

5 credits from Humanities Area 1
5 credits from Humanities Area 2

Social Science Distribution: 15 credits

Complete the following:

5 credits from Social Science Area 1
5 credits from Social Science Area 2
5 credits from Social Science Area 1 or Area 2

Natural Sciences: 30 credits

Complete the following:

Physical Education: 3 credits

Complete 3 credits of Physical Education (PE).

Electives: 12 credits

Choose electives with the help of an advisor. These courses must be 100-level or higher. Examples include organic chemistry, physics, and pre-calculus.

Elective courses allow students to prepare for transfer to a specific college or university. Students should check the required courses of their target transfer program(s) when choosing electives. An advisor can help with this.