Mar 30, 2025  
College Catalog 2025 - 2026 
  
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College Catalog 2025 - 2026

Biology Transfer Option, A.S.

This option provides students with the technical coursework and laboratory experience that enables them to succeed in undergraduate biology programs. Upon graduation from BHCC, students are able to pursue further study at four-year colleges and universities in any number of areas including physiology, ecology, cell biology, biotechnology, genetics, botany, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, wildlife conservation, or any of the health sciences. BHCC has articulation agreements with UMass Boston, UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell, enabling Biology Transfer graduates to enroll in any one of these universities as juniors, without losing credits.

* Milestone Courses should be taken in the order shown. This will help you stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1

Total Credits: 14

Semester 1 Advising Note

  • General Education Requirements Quantitative Problem Solving and Scientific Reasoning satisfied by program.
  • Students need to complete three General Education courses during semesters 1 & 2. These do not need to be completed in any particular sequence.
  • If a student is not eligible to take MAT-281 , they should take Precalculus (MAT-197 ) in order to take General Chemistry I (CHM-201 ) in their second semester.

  • The major obstacle for a student starting this program is their entering math level. If they placed into Intermediate Algebra (MAT-099 ) or lower they will have to use their first semester to complete their development math course before they can take their first science courses. General Biology I (BIO-195 ) requires the completion of College Algebra for STEM (MAT-194 ) with a grade of C or better. General Chemistry I (CHM-201 ) requires the completion of Precalculus (MAT-197 ) or higher level math with a grade of C or better.

  • If student is taking developmental math their first semester they can supplement their schedule with General Education courses and College Writing I (ENG-111 ).

  • Taking developmental math the first semester will require a student to attend for an extra semester and/or attend a summer session to complete the program.

Semester 2

Total Credits: 17

Semester 2 Advising Note

  • ENG-111  is a prerequisite or corequisite for CHM-201 . Students must complete MAT-197  or higher-level math with a C or better before taking CHM-201 .

  • A student should consider taking one of their General Education courses during the summer session to lighten their academic load in semester two.

  • Students should be aware that BIO-210 , ENV-211 , BIO-261 , BIO-262 , CHM-251 , CHM-252 , & SCI-221  are not offered during the summer session.

  • BIO-120 , BIO-207  and/or BIO-208  may or may not be offered during the summer session depending on enrollments. All other required science and math courses are offered during the summer.

  • Meet with an advisor to begin career planning activities
  • Begin exploring transfer options: attend a transfer workshop and the College transfer fair

Semester 3

Total Credits: 15-16

Semester 3 Advising Note

  • It is highly recommended that a student take Organic Chemistry I & II for two of their option electives. However, this will require an extra semester at BHCC to complete.
  • If a student elects to take Advanced Lab Techniques in Biotechnology (BIO-261 ) they should also take Principles of Molecular Biotechnology (BIO-262 ) to ensure transferability. Biology Transfer students may take BIO-261  if they have completed BIO-195  and either BIO-120  or BIO-207 . BIO-261  may be offered in the fall and spring semesters and BIO-262  will only be offered only in the spring semester.  

  • May substitute Physics I (PHY-251 ). Students should check with their transferring institution to see if algebra or calculus-based physics is recommended for their biology programs.

  • Internship courses require student be accepted into an internship with approval from the department Chair or Internship office.

  • Continue preparations for transfer: write essays for transfer institution, collect letters of recommendation, apply for transfer.
  • Students should check with their transferring institution to see if they require algebra or calculus based physics for their biology programs.
  • Complete a pre-graduation check with an advisor in LifeMap.

Semester 4

Total Credits: 14-16

Semester 4 Advising Note

  • May substitute Physics II (PHY-252 ). Students should check with their transferring institution to see if algebra or calculus-based physics is recommended for their biology programs.

  • Internship courses require student be accepted into an internship with approval from the department Chair or Internship office.
  • It is recommended that students take Cell Biology (BIO-207 ) before taking Genetics (BIO-208 )
  • Apply for graduation

Upon Completion of This Concentration Graduates Will Be Able To:

  • Describe the structure and function of living cells and explain how their cellular components and biochemistry interact in the metabolic pathways that define life.
  • Relate cellular reproduction to the theories and concepts of genetics to explain inheritance.
  • Relate the concepts of evolutionary theory to explain adaptations, speciation, the diversity of life, and the interactions of living organisms in the biosphere.
  • Apply currently accepted biological, chemical, physical and mathematical concepts to investigate problems and ideas presented in advanced biological study.
  • Apply the concepts of scientific inquiry to investigate biological observations by formulating hypotheses, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting experimental data, and developing evidence-based conclusion.
  • Search and retrieve peer-reviewed information from scientific journals and other sources and provide proper credit when the information is used in their own scientific reporting.
  • Evaluate the credibility of sources of scientific information presented by the general media and the Internet.
  • Clearly express the procedures used, data collected, and conclusions obtained in his or her written or oral presentation of a scientific investigation.
  • Apply laboratory safety protocols in using the equipment, technology, and techniques that are commonly used in laboratory or field investigations.
  • Apply evidence-based science in addressing personal and global issues.

Career Outlook

This option will allow students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to seek a bachelor’s degree in biology or biochemistry. Students can then continue their studies in the fields of physiology, ecology, cell biology, biotechnology, genetics, botany, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, or wildlife conservation.

Explore Career Options

Transfer Options

MassTransfer A2B Link

  • Bridgewater State University
  • Fitchburg State University
  • Framingham State University
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
  • Westfield State University
  • Worcester State University
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell

 

Transfer Advising Guides