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Associate in Science Degree with a Concentration in Biology (413)

The concentration in Biology prepares students to transfer to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor's degree in Cell Biology, Organismal Biology and/or Ecology as well as preparing students for medical, dental, or chiropractic studies.

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, the A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). 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.

Biological Sciences - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

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Transfer Considerations

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

Competitive Admissions

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
• Lori Anton, Assistant Professor of Biology, 815-835-6402
• Bradley Smith, Associate Professor of Biology, 815-835-6225
• Therese Wood, Assistant Professor of Biology, 815-835-6391
• Dr. Lauren M. Orton, Professor of Biology, 815-835-6375

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 66-68 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 18 Hours

• Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 1 Semester hour(s)

• BIO105 - Principles of Biology ( 5 Semester Hours)

  A survey of the basic principles of biology including nature of science, cells, structure and function of organisms, genetics, evolution and ecology. This course is designed to satisfy the biology requirement for general education and vocation-occupational curriculum majors. It provides a basis for understanding principles common to all major fields of biology for the science or professional major. This course along with BIO 123 (Introduction to Botany) and BIO 131 (General Zoology) is part of the three-semester sequence that satisfies the IAI 910 Biology requirement. Students who have completed BIO 105 with a grade of C or better will not receive credit for BIO 103 or BIO 104. Prerequisite: None 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Lecture/Lab Hours 4 lec, 2 lab/week

• CHE105 - General Chemistry I ( 5 Semester Hours)

  This course involves the study of matter, measurements, the periodic table of the elements, atomic structure, basic concepts of quantum theory, bonding, stoichiometry of compounds and reactions, solution chemistry, introduction to acids and bases, thermochemistry, the gaseous state, and basic concepts of the liquid and solid states. This class is for chemistry, engineering, premedical, and science majors. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or CHE 103 or CHE 102. 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): P1 902L, CHM 911 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 3 lab/week

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course (1) develops awareness of the writing process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and editorial strategies; (3) stresses the variety of uses for writing; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in reading, thinking, and writing. Prerequisite: Required placement score on approved English placement test, high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills, goal setting, academic planning, time and money management, and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment, students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite: None 1 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

Second Semester - 17 Hours

• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 1 Semester hour

• BIO123 - Introduction to Botany ( 5 Semester Hours)

  Activities, structure, methods of reproduction, relationships and uses of major types of plant life, with emphasis on flowering plants. This course is designed for the transfer student in agriculture, liberal arts, general education and science majors. This course along with BIO 105 (Principles of Biology) and BIO 131 (General Zoology) is part of the three semester sequence that satisfies the IAI Bio 910 Biology major requirement. Prerequisite: BIO 105 with a grade of "C" or higher 5 Semester hour)s Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910 L, BIO 910 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec, 2 lab/week

• CHE106 - General Chemistry II ( 5 Semester Hours)

  This course is a continuation of CHE 105. This course involves the study of solutions, acids and bases, equilibria, acid-base equilibria, solubility equilibria, kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, coordination compounds, and nuclear chemistry. This class is for chemistry, engineering, premedical, and science majors. Prerequisite: CHE 105 General Chemistry I or equivalent with a C or higher. 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 912 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 3 lab/week

• ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 14-15 Hours

• Personal Development 1 Semester hour(s)
• *

  BIO109 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I ( 4 Semester Hours)

  A study of introductory chemistry, cells, metabolic processes, the organization of tissues, the skeletal system, joints and articulation, the integumentary system, micro and macro organization of the nervous system, and somatic and special senses. Prerequisites: BIO 105 or BIO 108 with a grade of C or higher OR two years of high school biology with a C or higher within the last five years AND CHE 102 or CHE 103 or CHE 105 with a grade of C or higher OR one year of high school chemistry with a grade of C or higher within the last five years. 4 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 2 lab/week

  OR

  CHE201 - Organic Chemistry I ( 5 Semester Hours)

  This course covers the following topics: bonding; molecular structure and properties; reactivity and nomenclature of alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols and ethers; stereochemistry; nucleophilic substitution and elimination reaction; infrared spectroscopy. Laboratory is required. Prerequisite: CHE 106 - General Chemistry II. Students should complete both CHE 201 and CHE 202 before transferring to another institution. Prerequisite: CHE 106 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 913 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 4 lab/week
   

• BIO131 - General Zoology ( 5 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to the principles of classification of animals, followed by a systematic study of invertebrate and vertebrate animals including their morphology, physiology, and natural history. Concepts of evolution, paleontology, and ecology are discussed. This course along with BIO 105 (Principles of Biology) and BIO 123 (Introduction to Botany) is part of the three semester sequence that satisfies the IAI Bio 910 Biology major requirement. Prerequisite: BIO 105 with a grade of "C" or higher. 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec, 2 lab/week

• MAT203 - Calculus & Analytic Geometry I ( 4 Semester Hours)

  The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include limits, continuity, the derivative, rules of differentiation, the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are: related rates, graphing, extreme value problems, and Newton's method for finding roots of equations. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MAT 121, College Algebra, AND MAT 122, Trigonometry OR appropriate placement (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-1, MTH 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 17-18 Hours

• Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
• *

  BIO110 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II ( 4 Semester Hours)

  A continuation of BIO 109. BIO 110 is the study of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, immune, lymphatic, and reproductive systems. Additionally, electrolyte, pH, and water balance and human development will be discussed. Prerequisite: BIO 109 with a grade of C 4 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 2 lab/week

  OR

  CHE202 - Organic Chemistry II ( 5 Semester Hours)

  This course covers the following topics: Nomenclature, reactions, and synthesis of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, aromatic compounds; conjugated dienes, dicarbonyl compounds, amines, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, NMR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry. Laboratory is required. Prerequisite: CHE 201 Organic Chemistry I with a C or higher. 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 914 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 4 lab/week
   

• COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

  The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• MAT204 - Calc & Analytic Geometry II ( 4 Semester Hours)

  The methods of differentiation and integration are extended and power series are introduced. The new methods deal with: logarithms, exponential, hyperbolic and inverse trigonometric functions. Some applications are: area between two curves, volumes of revolution, arc length, and work. The techniques of integration by parts, partial fractions, trigonometric substitution and numerical integration are covered. Power series and the Taylor series function representation are introduced. Prerequisite: MAT 203 with a grade of C or higher. 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-2, MTH 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

Footnotes

• * Medical Science Emphasis