Academic Catalog

STEM web banner

University Studies - Mathematics and Natural Science and Computer Science (AS)

The Associate Degree in University Studies is intended to accommodate the differing requirements of a wide variety of transfer institutions and major options. Because admission and major preparation requirements vary at each four-year transfer institution, courses used to complete this degree should be selected with the assistance of a counselor.

The completion of the University Studies Degree does not guarantee acceptance into either a baccalaureate major or a four-year institution.

Requirements

  1. Complete 60 Transferable Units
    1. CSU or UC
  2. California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
    1. Complete 34 units of transfer general education as required for Cal-GETC (see Degree Requirements section of the catalog).
  3. Choose a minimum of 18 units
    1. Students must complete a minimum of three units, or one course in Mathematics and a minimum of three units, or one course in Natural Science or Computer Science.  The remaining units may be taken from any category. 

While 18 units are required in a specific area to meet the requirements of the degree, it is strongly recommended that as many lower division preparation for the major courses as possible be completed at the community college prior to transfer. Cross-listed courses receive credit for only one course. Some baccalaureate majors and four-year institutions require a higher GPA than is necessary for the Associate Degree. Completion of the University Studies Degree does not guarantee admission to a four-year institution.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
  1. Solve complex problems using mathematics, natural and/or computer science.
  2. Utilize high level mathematical skills to analyze data and/or solve problems.
  3. Analyze concepts of physical and biological science to evaluate scientific information and solve scientific problems.

Courses in this major focus on the study of mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills and apply the facts and principles that form the foundations of living and non-living systems. Students recognize and utilize the methodologies of science as investigative tools, as well as the limitations of science. Students use basic mathematical skills to solve numerical problems encountered in daily life, and more advanced skills for applications in the physical and life sciences. Students completing this area may be interested in the following baccalaureate majors: astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, mathematics, oceanography, physical science, and physics. 

Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher or “Pass.”

Mathematics
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Statistics for Life Sciences
Introduction to Statistics
Analytic Trigonometry 1
College Algebra
Precalculus: Functions and Graphs
Calculus for Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Discrete Mathematics
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Fundamentals of Scientific Computing (MATLAB)
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
1

Non-UC transferable course.

Natural Science
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Biological Anthropology Laboratory
Descriptive Astronomy
General Astronomy Laboratory
Exploration of the Solar System
Marine Biology
Environmental Biology
Contemporary Issues in Environmental Resources
Heredity, Evolution and Society
Introduction to Human Biology
Principles of Biology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Laboratory in Human Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Paramedical Microbiology
Principles of Cellular, Molecular and Evolutionary Biology
Principles of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology
Introduction to General, Organic and Biological Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Forensic Chemistry
Fundamentals of Chemistry
Introductory Organic and Biochemistry
Introductory Biochemistry
Preparation for General Chemistry
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Introduction to Geographic Information Science
World Regional Geography
Physical Geography: Earth Systems
Physical Geography: Earth Systems Laboratory
Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape
Meteorology: Weather and Climate
Field Study of the Natural History of the Greater San Diego Region
The Geography of California
Earth Science
Planet Earth
Planet Earth Laboratory
Earth History
Field Study of the Natural History of the Greater San Diego Region
Geology of California
Natural Disasters
Introduction to Oceanography
Oceanography Laboratory
Field Study of the Natural History of the Greater San Diego Region
Introductory Physics
Fundamentals of Physics
Fundamentals of Physics
Mechanics and Waves
Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat
Light, Optics, and Modern Physics
Physical Science for Elementary Education
Introduction to the Physical Sciences
Introduction to Physical Sciences Laboratory
Introduction to Scientific Thought
Computer Science
Assembly Language and Machine Architecture
Discrete Structures 1
Introduction to Python Programming 1
Intermediate Python Programming and Fundamental Data Structures 1
Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers 1
Introduction to Java Programming
Intermediate Java Programming and Fundamental Data Structures
Introduction to C++ Programming
Intermediate C++ Programming
1

Non-UC transferable course.

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement. An official request must be filed with the Admission and Records Office prior to the deadline as stated in the Academic Calendar.