Biology

Biology is the study of life! Students in the biological sciences will learn critical thinking and develop analytical and investigative skills. According to O-Net Online, career opportunities in the biological sciences are growing at a rate 10-14% faster than the national average. The Biology program map below includes all of your major coursework and recommended general education courses by term that is needed to fulfill your degree and transfer requirements. This pathway is geared toward students working toward transfer to CSU, but can be used for transfer to University of California (UC) System as well. Those students working toward transfer to UC should take CHE-12A and CHE-12B (Organic Chemistry I and II) instead of or in addition to PHY-2A and PHY-2B.

Biology - ADT (CSU and UC)

0-15 units
 INTERSESSION (WINTER/SUMMER) Units
Chemistry prep for CHE 1A OR Math Prep for Math 1A 4
Fall/Spring Units
English 1A/1AH 4
Math 1A 4
Chemistry 1A/1AH 5
Communication Studies 1/1H  3
Intersession (Winter/Summer) Units
Political Science 1/1H 3
16-30 units
Fall/spring Units
English 1B/1BH 4
Math 1B 4
Chemistry 1B/1BH 5
Intersession (Winter/Summer) Units
Biology 35 or 1st Semester Foreign Language (*LOTE - for UC transfer) 3-5
31-45 units
Fall/spring Units
Biology 60 5
Physics 2A 4
Philosophy 10/10H or Humanities 5/5H 3
Theater Arts 3, Music 23, or Dance 6/6H 3
Intersession (Winter/Summer) Units
Psychology 1/1H or Sociology 1/1H 3
45-60+ units
Fall/spring Units
Biology 61 5
Physics 2B 4
History 7/7H 3
Anthropology 2/2H or Sociology 10 3
*LOTE can be met with 2 years of the same language in high school (C or better grade)

For alternative CSU/UC General Education options refer to the RCC Catalog, under Requirements for College Transfer.

Milestones

Milestones are courses, co-curricular activities and recommendations from your Student Success Team that will keep you on track towards completion of your degree. Check off your milestones as you complete them.
  • Complete Chemistry 1A
  • Complete English 1A (transfer-level English)
  • Complete Biology 60
  • Apply to Universities (CSU/UC application period Oct 1-Nov 30)
  • Apply for ADT degree by beginning of spring term before transfer
  • Complete RCC Graduation application (during your last term)
  • Meet with your Counselor to Complete your Comprehensive Student Education Plan (SEP)
  • Complete FAFSA (Oct 1st - Mar 2nd for priority)
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor for career/research opportunities
  • Meet with your Counselor to update SEP (every semester)
  • Meet with your Counselor for pre-graduation check
  • Research Potential Clubs on Campus
  • Participate in tutoring, student success workshops or supplemental instruction
  • Visit the Career Center for Internship opportunities
  • Research transfer institutions
  • Attend Transfer workshops and Transfer Fair
  • Participate in an internship/ job shadowing
  • Participate in a research activity (meet with Faculty Advisor)

Careers for Biology Majors

Salaries Range : $33,400 - $177,900

  • Veterinary Technician
  • Biological Technician
  • Medical/Clinical Technician
  • Biology Teacher (high school)
  • Conservation Biologist/Forester
  • Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist
  • Agriculture and Food Scientist
  • Environmental Scientist/Specialist
  • Microbiologist
  • Soil/Plant Scientist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Veterinarian
  • Biology Teacher (college/university)
  • Pharmacist 
  • Physician