Biology

Baccalaureate biological science programs are diverse. Some programs emphasize cell and molecular biology, whereas others emphasize organismal, ecological and evolutionary biology. Research universities offer specific programs of study, optional tracks or specialization's within biology. Students should decide the direction or specialization within the Biological Sciences major as early as possible, preferably by the beginning of the sophomore year. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate degree prior to transfer. To transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate biological sciences program, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester credits (64 for the Associate degree), including all of the prerequisite science courses listed. For maximum transferability, students are encouraged to complete all general education, supporting science, and biology core courses listed.

Note: Students are advised to complete the entire 3 course introductory biological sciences sequence at one school before transferring. Student who complete only one course may have to repeat that course, since material may be arranged differently by another institution.

Effective Fall of 2016, the associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM related majors. As a result, A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum. Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

Students who have already chosen the university to which they wish to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor, an SVCC academic advisor, and an SVCC biology instructor in planning their program.