Program Details
Program Details
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Associate of Science
Northern Virginia Community College
Program Details
Biology, A.S.
Associate of ScienceBiology, A.S.
Northern Virginia Community College
Purpose: The curriculum is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree program with a major in one of the following fields: agriculture, biology, botany, pre-dentistry, forestry, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-medicine, science education, pre-veterinary, or zoology.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Transfer Degree
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Biology, A.S.
60
Biology, AS
60
6550 Plan GPA/Cum GPS
60
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 45 credits may be applied to this program.
English Requirements
6
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
CST Studies Requirement
3
CST 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HIS Requirement
3
HIS Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Social/Behavioral Sciences Requirements
6
Social/Behavioral Sciences Electives
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Humanities/Fine Arts Requirements
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students must choose courses from two of the three areas listed
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Chemistry Requirements
8
CHM 111
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHM 112
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO Requirements
12
BIO 101
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 102
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BIO 206
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Math Requirements
17
MTH 167
5
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 263
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 264
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
MTH 245
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Requirements
4
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Elective
4
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
| Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
43891
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Integrative Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Organismal and Environmental Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Kinesiology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BA in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Biology: Pre-medical BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Biology BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Biology: Teacher Preparation in Biology BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Life Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Clinical Lab Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Biology Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Biology - Biomedical Science Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Biology - Education Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Biology - Integrative Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Biology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Biology, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology - (DNIMAS) Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional (DNIMAS) Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Biology - Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Biology-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology: Biomed. Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology: Cons. Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Biology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Biology (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Biology Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Biology Secondary Education Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Arts Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Biology, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Biology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Biology (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Neuroscience in Clinical Neuroscience | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Neuroscience in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Neuroscience in Computational and Systems Neuroscience | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Microbiology in Microbiology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Microbiology | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Neuroscience in Neuroscience | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Major in Biology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BS in Biology: Kinesiology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a STEM Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-4012.00 | Agricultural Technicians | Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1029.01 | Bioinformatics Scientists | Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1042.00 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-1029.00 | Biological Scientists, All Other | All biological scientists not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4021.00 | Biological Technicians | Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1029.04 | Biologists | Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 11-9121.01 | Clinical Research Coordinators | Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data. | Management Occupations |
| 19-4013.00 | Food Science Technicians | Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4092.00 | Forensic Science Technicians | Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1029.03 | Geneticists | Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1099.00 | Life Scientists, All Other | All life scientists not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-1029.02 | Molecular and Cellular Biologists | Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 11-9121.00 | Natural Sciences Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields. | Management Occupations |
| 19-4012.01 | Precision Agriculture Technicians | Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 11-9121.02 | Water Resource Specialists | Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete

