General Science/Pre-Health Professional, Associate of Science Degree in Science and Mathematics

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

General Science/Pre-Health Professional, an option of the Associate of Science degree program in Science and Mathematics, permits students to tailor a program to suit their individual goals. Students who have not decided on a field of specialization, such as chemistry or biology, can explore the various sciences. Others who have specific long-term goals and intend to transfer into specialized programs can design a program which meets the requirements of the transfer institution. Students are cautioned to select their courses in consultation with a counselor and with the prospective transfer institution.

Graduates are able to:

exhibit an understanding of the scientific method: observe, make inferences, classify and organize information, analyze and synthesize information, draw conclusions from the data and communicate those conclusions in writing
demonstrate proficiency in the laboratory; collect and analyze data using laboratory equipment; and use that data to test scientific hypotheses
apply fundamental scientific principles to the analysis and solution of scientific problems
apply the conceptual and computational mathematical skills necessary to interpret the mathematics of equilibrium and the dynamics of change
read contemporary scientific material with understanding and appropriate skepticism

Raritan Valley Community College Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs are designed to comply with the New Jersey Community Colleges General Education Foundation which supports transfer of courses to NJ Public four-year colleges and universities. Students who intend to transfer to a NJ college or university can further improve the transfer of courses by using the Recommended Transfer Program (RTP) feature in NJTransfer.org.

NOTE: Students considering transfer to Rutgers University should choose a Global & Cultural Awareness (GCA) General Education course not replicated elsewhere in their curriculum. Students who have already fulfilled the GCA requirement for their Associates of Arts (AA) degree should select an additional Social Sciences or Humanities General Education course.

Curriculum – A.S. Degree

First Semester

ENGL 111 - English Composition I 3 Credits
Humanities 3 Credits ¹ or
Social Science 3 Credits ¹
CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits
Mathematics 3 Credits ²
BIOL 101 - General Biology I 4 Credits

Second Semester

ENGL 112 - English Composition II 3 Credits
Mathematics 3 Credits ²
CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits
Humanities 3 Credits ¹
BIOL 102 - General Biology II 4 Credits

Third Semester

Laboratory Science Elective 4-5 Credits ⁴
PHYS 101 - General Physics I 4 Credits
MATH 110 - Statistics I 3 Credits
Technological Competency 3-4 Credits ^1,3

Fourth Semester

Laboratory Science Elective 4-5 Credits ⁴
PSYC 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credits
PHYS 102 - General Physics II 4 Credits
General Education Elective 3 Credits ¹

Total Credits 62 - 65

¹ Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education list.

² Mathematics by official placement test. Students must complete through MATH 113 Precalculus II . If students place above Precalculus II, it is recommended that they take MATH 151 Calculus I . Once minimum math requirement is met, free electives may be used in place of mathematics credit, if applicable.

³ Students who pass the technological competency test (no credit) may take any General Education course.

⁴ Students may choose (BIOL 124 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & BIOL 125 Human Anatomy & Physiology II ), any two 200 level BIOL courses, or (CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I & CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II ). Please check with transfer institutions for possible requirements.