| |
Jun 07, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
2026-27 Catalog
Associate in Science-Transfer to Biological Sciences, Environmental/Resources Sciences, Chemistry, Geology, and Earth Science (Concentration: Biological Sciences)
|
|
 Return to: All Programs (A-Z)
Biologists engage in meeting the challenges of the future, helping to improve the quality of human life and preserving our world’s biodiversity. The biology courses at Highline provide students with the breadth and depth of knowledge necessary to more fully understand the living world. Areas of study range from the microscopic world of cellular biology, to the complexities of a multicellular organisms, to the networks of living things in ecosystems around the world.
The Associate in Science (AS) in biology is great for students who have placed into college level math (Math 141 or Math 151) and are ready to begin General Chemistry 161 during their first quarter. Students who place into Math 91 or Math 98 can complete the AS over 8-9 quarters, either by completing courses during summer quarters, or over a three-year plan.
|
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 and/or a higher GPA in specific courses.
- 25% of Total Credits at Highline: Complete at least 25% of your 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. Communication Skills: 5 credits
Humanities and Social Science: 15 credits
A complete list of courses in the Humanities and Social Science distributions can be found on the Distribution Areas page. Complete the following:
- 5 credits in Humanities
- 5 credits in Social Sciences
- 5 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences
Quantitative Skills: 15 credits
Ask an advisor for help choosing Calculus III or Statistics based on your transfer goals. Complete one of the following:
Pre-Major Program: 45 credits
Remaining Credits: 10 credits
Complete 10 credits of courses 100-level or higher. Ask an advisor for help choosing courses based on your transfer and career goals. Courses can include prerequisites such as pre-calculus. Total Program Credits: 90
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.
|
Return to: All Programs (A-Z)
|
|
