Academic Catalogs

Natural Science, Associate in Science Degree

Banner Code: 1_AS_NS

Control Number: 14412

Financial Aid Eligible


Complete eighteen (18) units from the following and the Associate in Science graduation requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements section of the catalog. If a student chooses this degree option, a plan must be developed with a counselor and placed on file prior to petitioning for graduation.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements

  1. UNIT REQUIREMENT60 UNITS, with at least a 2.0 grade point average. At least 12 of the units must be earned at OCC, with a minimum of one course taken for a letter grade. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the program must be completed at OCC. A student must be enrolled at the time of application for graduation. Units earned at an accredited college or university on a credit/no credit basis will be counted toward the degree requirements of the college, to a maximum of 15 units.
  2. MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AS major requirements.
  3. MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT - Demonstrate competence in mathematics by either obtaining a satisfactory grade (grade of “C” or better or“pass”) in a mathematics course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra as demonstrated by prior coursework, or by demonstrating competency that is comparable through the completion of a college-level math course that has Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite: Psychology A160 or Math A100 or higher, with the exception of Math A220.
  4. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AS GE), Option 2 (CSU GE), or Option 3 (IGETC) to satisfy the general education requirement. See the General Education Patterns section of this catalog for more information.
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Select a minimum of eighteen (18) units from the following:
ASTRONOMY
ASTR A100Introduction to Astronomy3
or ASTR A100H Introduction to Astronomy Honors
ASTR A100LIntroduction to Astronomy Laboratory1
or ASTR A100M Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Honors
ASTR A101Planetary Astronomy3
ASTR A102Stellar Astronomy3
ASTR A103Cosmology3
BIOLOGY
BIOL A100Principles of Biology4
BIOL A101The Biology of Cooking4
BIOL A114Basic Microbiology2
BIOL A125Human Biology3
BIOL A172Nature of Birds1
BIOL A180Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology4
BIOL A182Zoology3
BIOL A182LZoology Lab1
BIOL A183Botany3
BIOL A183LBotany Lab1
BIOL A185Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology5
BIOL A210General Microbiology5
BIOL A220Human Anatomy5
BIOL A221Anatomy-Physiology4
BIOL A225Human Physiology5
BIOL A280Evolutionary Ecology4
BIOL A281Biochemistry2
BIOL A282Molecular Biology2
BIOL A283Genetics4
CHEMISTRY
CHEM A100Principles of Chemistry3
CHEM A110Introduction to Chemistry5
CHEM A130Preparation for General Chemistry4
CHEM A180General Chemistry A5
CHEM A185General Chemistry B5
CHEM A220Organic Chemistry A3
CHEM A220LOrganic Chemistry A Lab2
CHEM A225Organic Chemistry B3
CHEM A225LOrganic Chemistry B Laboratory2
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
ESEC A100Introduction to Environmental Science3
ESEC A110Island Ecology3
ESEC A121Marine Intertidal Ecology1
ESEC A124Ecology of the Gray Whale1
GEOLOGY
GEOL A101Age of the Dinosaurs4
GEOL A105General Geology3
or GEOL A105H General Geology Honors
GEOL A105LGeneral Geology Laboratory1
or GEOL A105M General Geology Laboratory Honors
GEOL A106Earth Science for Teachers4
GEOL A110Physical Geology4
GEOL A115California Geology3
GEOL A160Environmental Geology4
GEOL A185Evolution of the Earth3
GEOL A185LEvolution of the Earth Lab1
MARINE SCIENCE
MRSC A100Oceanography3
or MRSC A100H Oceanography Honors
MRSC A100LOceanography Laboratory1
or MRSC A100M Oceanography Laboratory Honors
MRSC A120Marine Aquarium Science1.5
MRSC A180Marine Biology3
MRSC A180LMarine Biology Lab1
MRSC A185Coastal Oceanography3
MRSC A185LCoastal Oceanography Lab1
MRSC A187Marine Mammals3
PHYSICS
PHYS A110Conceptual Physics3
PHYS A111Introductory Physics Laboratory1
PHYS A120Algebra Based Physics: Mechanics4
PHYS A125Algebra Based Physics:Electricity/Magnetism4
PHYS A130University Physics 1 (non-majors)4
PHYS A135University Physics 2 (non-majors)4
PHYS A185Calculus Based Physics: Mechanics4
PHYS A280Calculus Based Physics: Electricty/Magnetism4
PHYS A285Calculus Based Physics: Modern4
Total18
AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3Varies
Transferable electives to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Degree Units60

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) 3-5
OCC AS GE AREA A1- CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA C1- CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA D- CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA C2- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units15-17
Semester 2
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better) 3-4
Intermediate Algebra 1
or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
 
AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) 3-5
OCC AS GE AREA A2- CHOOSE ONE 2 3-4
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3
 Units12-16
Year 2
Semester 1
AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) 3-5
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 12
 Units15-17
Semester 2
AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) 3-5
AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) 3 0-6
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 4 15
 Units18-26
 Total Units60-76