Stark State’s associate degree in biology provides a strong foundation in core biological sciences—such as microbiology, genetics, ecology, and molecular biology—along with hands-on lab experience and small class sizes. It’s designed for easy transfer to a four-year university, preparing students for bachelor’s programs and careers in fields like research, environmental science, healthcare, and education.
Major code: 1270 Arts and Sciences Division Biology Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Experience | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| English Composition and Oral Communication | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| College Composition (Required) | ||
| Technical Report Writing | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Effective Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select two of the following across two disciplines: | 6 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Basic Economics | ||
| Diversity in American Society | ||
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| Select two of the following across two disciplines: | ||
| British Literature: Medieval to 1785 | ||
| British Literature: 1785 to Present | ||
| Introduction to Shakespeare | ||
| American Literature: Colonial to 1865 | ||
| American Literature: 1865 to Present | ||
| Film Appreciation | ||
| Women's Literature | ||
| Major Modern Writers | ||
| United States History I to 1877 | ||
| United States History II from 1877 | ||
| World Civilization to 17th Century | ||
| World Civilization from 17th Century | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic | ||
| Select 4 credit hours minimum from the following: | 4 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Precalculus 1 | ||
| Analytical Geometry and Calculus I 2 | ||
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIO141 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIO142 | General Biology II | 4 |
| CHM141 | General Chemistry I 3 | 5 |
| CHM142 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Biology Core Electives | ||
| Select 4-8 credit hours minimum as needed to meet total credit hour requirement from the following: | 4-8 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Principles of Microbiology | ||
| General Genetics | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-3 | |
| Special Topics in Science I | ||
| Special Topics in Science II | ||
| Special Topics In Science III | ||
| Study Away: Experiential Learning | ||
| Concentration Electives | ||
| Select additional courses to complete the total of 60 - 63 credit hours from the following: | 20 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Statistics | ||
| College Physics I with Algebra | ||
| College Physics II with Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 60-66 | |
- 1
A student may take MTH125 College Algebra and MTH130 Trigonometry over two semesters to satisfy this requirement.
- 2
Required for Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways in biology.
- 3
Because of strong emphasis on science in this major, applicants must have successfully completed Chemistry and Biology in high school. Students who did not complete the courses in high school, and those who prefer to refresh their knowledge of the material, should complete the listed pre-requisites.
Full-Time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for full-time students who plan to finish in two years.
Elective Additional Credit
Self-selection of courses and not following the approved degree program could adversely affect graduation, transfer to a 4-year institution, and financial aid. Visit Transferology at http://www.transferology.com to assist in developing a plan for transferring to another college or university. Students should select Ohio Transfer 36 approved and TAG approved courses.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s degree requirements and course transferability are controlled by the institution to which the student plans to transfer.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| BIO141 | General Biology I | 4 |
| CHM141 | General Chemistry I 3 | 5 |
| Mathematics, Statistics and Logic Elective | 4-5 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO142 | General Biology II | 4 |
| CHM142 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| Social Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| English Composition and Oral Communication Elective | 3 | |
| Concentration Group Elective | 3-5 | |
| Hours | 6-8 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Biology Core Elective | 4 | |
| Arts Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Social Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Concentration Elective | 3-5 | |
| Hours | 13-15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| SCI271 |
Special Topics in Science I
or Special Topics in Science II or Special Topics In Science III |
1-3 |
| Arts Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Biology Core Elective OR Mathematics, Statistics and Logic Elective | 4 | |
| Concentration Elective | 3-5 | |
| Hours | 11-15 | |
| Total Hours | 59-68 | |
English Composition and Oral Communication Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COM121 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| COM122 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENG221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| ENG231 | College Composition II | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC121 | Sociology | 3 |
| SOC225 | Diversity in American Society | 3 |
| BUS122 | Basic Economics | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG233 | British Literature: Medieval to 1785 | 3 |
| ENG234 | British Literature: 1785 to Present | 3 |
| ENG235 | Introduction to Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG236 | American Literature: Colonial to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG237 | American Literature: 1865 to Present | 3 |
| ENG239 | Film Appreciation | 3 |
| ENG240 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| ENG241 | Major Modern Writers | 3 |
| HIS121 | United States History I to 1877 | 3 |
| HIS122 | United States History II from 1877 | 3 |
| HIS221 | World Civilization to 17th Century | 3 |
| HIS222 | World Civilization from 17th Century | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MTH125 | College Algebra | 4 |
| MTH135 | Precalculus | 5 |
| MTH223 | Analytical Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
Biology Core Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO200 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIO221 | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO241 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIO242 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
Concentration Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHM241 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM242 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHM243 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHM105 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| CHM205 | Forensic Chemistry | 4 |
| MTH124 | Statistics | 3 |
| PHY121 | College Physics I with Algebra | 4 |
| PHY122 | College Physics II with Algebra | 4 |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Properly document their work and present it in notebook entries and lab reports.
- Students will develop knowledge and competency of basic laboratory techniques and equipment usage.
- Scientific thinking and critical analysis will be stressed (‘thinking like a scientist").