Math & Science: Biology (Liberal Arts & Sciences) (A.S.)

Study biology at JCC

The Math and Science degree with a biology concentration at Jamestown Community College prepares you to transfer and continue your studies to earn your bachelor’s degree in biological fields. You can prepare for careers in health professions, like medicine, pharmacy, radiologic technology, respiratory care, and veterinary medicine. You can also pursue ecology and environmental science roles like fishery and game warden, forester, ecologist, botanist, and zoologist.

While at JCC, you’ll work closely with your advisor to choose your courses and prepare for transferring after graduation. The biology concentration’s flexibility lets you tailor your education to your specific field of study, transfer school, and career goals. The concentration is a SUNY Transfer Path, which can help you identify core coursework for transfer to four-year SUNY schools.

2022 median pay for biological technicians: $49,650/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Math & science skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis.
  • Analyze ethical dilemmas raised by science and technology, attempt to identify personal values that affect how one thinks about these dilemmas, and consider diverse perspectives in the process.
  • Demonstrate application of scientific data, concepts, and models in one of the natural sciences.
  • Demonstrate the ability to create, interpret, and analyze graphs and charts that communicate quantitative or relational information.
  • Show competence in the following quantitative reasoning skills and be able to:
    • Interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics.
    • Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally.
    • Use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric, and statistical methods to solve problems.
    • Estimate and check mathematical results for reasonableness, determine alternatives, and select optimal results.
    • Recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods.
  • Use computer (or other appropriate) technology to collect data; use computer (or other appropriate) technology to represent data; use computer (or other appropriate) technology to analyze data and/or to solve numerical or conceptual problems.

Semester 1

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1570: Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Applied Learning JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

CHE 1550: College Chemistry I

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Social Sciences Elective

Choose any Gen Ed Social Sciences elective

3
SUNY: Social Sciences SUNY: U.S. History and Civic Engagement JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY: Humanities JCC:College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC:Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • CHE 1550: corequisite course MAT 1590 (or higher) or eligibility for MAT 1600.

Semester 2

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1580: Principles of Ecology & Evolution

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

CHE 1560: College Chemistry II

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY: Written & Oral Communication JCC:College Composition JCC:Oral Communication

MAT 1600: Precalculus (or higher)

4
SUNY: Math JCC:Mathematical Reasoning
  • CHE 1560: corequisite course MAT 1600.
  • Social Sciences Elective: Taking one of these courses should cover JCC graduation requirements for Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences, Global Perspectives, and Cultural Understanding. In addition, to graduate with a SUNY degree, students must take courses from 7 of the 10 SUNY Gen Ed categories. Some courses count for more than 1 category in SUNY Gen Ed.

Semester 3

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CHE 2530: Organic Chemistry I

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

BIO 2560: Genetics or

MAT 1710: Calculus or

PHY 1610: General Physics I or

PHY 1710: Analytical Physics

4
JCC:Mathematical Reasoning JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Program Core Elective

Choose a course from:

BIO 1830: SURI Environmental I

BIO 2510: Anatomy & Physiology I

BIO 2520: Anatomy & Physiology II

BIO 2531: Microbiology and BIO 2532: Microbiology - LAB

BIO 2560: Genetics

BIO 2660: Zoology

BIO 2670: Botany

BIO 2800: Cell Biology

BIO 2830: SURI Environmental II

CHE 2530: Organic Chemistry I

CHE 2540: Organic Chemistry II

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

MAT 1710: Calculus/Analytic Geometry I

MAT 1720: Calculus/Analytic Geometry II

PHY 1710: Analytical Physics I

PHY 2710: Analytical Physics II

4
SUNY: Natural Sciences JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Elective

Choose a course from a SUNY Gen Ed category that fulfills the Cultural Understanding and Global Perspectives requirements

3
SUNY: Arts SUNY: Diversity SUNY: World History and Global Awareness SUNY: World Languages JCC:Cultural Understanding JCC:Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice JCC:Global Perspectives
  • BIO 2560, MAT 1710, PHY 1610, PHY 1710: These courses are often required for 4-year biology degrees. They count as a suggested program core elective for this track.
  • For graduation, you need a total of 19-20 program core elective credits. Please refer to catalog for appropriate courses and discuss options with your advisor for your specific career pathway.
  • Elective: Taking one of these courses should cover JCC graduation requirements for Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences, Global Perspectives, and Cultural Understanding. In addition, to graduate with a SUNY degree, students must take courses from 7 of the 10 SUNY Gen Ed categories. Some courses count for more than 1 category in SUNY Gen Ed.

Semester 4

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CHE 2540: Organic Chemistry II

4

Program Core Elective

Choose a course from the program core electives listing

3

Elective

Choose a course from SUNY Gen Ed – Social Sciences category

3
SUNY: Diversity SUNY: Social Sciences JCC:Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

Elective

4
  • CHE 2540: This course is almost always required for 4-year biology degrees and counts as a suggested program core elective for this track.
  • For graduation, need a total of 19-20 program core elective credits. Please refer to catalogue and speak with your advisor to choose an appropriate program core elective for your specific career pathway.
  • Students interested in pre-med or pre-vet should take PSY 1510 as preparation for the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT). However, students will need to take an elective from all SUNY Gen Ed categories to graduate with a four year degree from a SUNY university. Alternatively, a Natural Science course could also be chosen. Please consult with an advisor about options appropriate for each career pathway.
  • A GPA of at least 2.0 in math/science coursework is required for graduation.