60 Credits AS3526, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
Resources
The Biology Transfer Pathway A.S. degree at South Central College provides learners with the first two years of a broad based education in Biology and its supporting sciences. As a Minnesota State Pathway program, it is specifically designed to prepare learners to transfer into the junior year of a Biology major at a four year college.
Campus: North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 60 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $12,867
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $12,867 *
Compare the costs and you'll see that tuition at South Central College is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Courses (12 Courses)
Complete the following courses:
BIOL115 General Biology I (4 credits)
This course covers biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. It serves as an introduction to macromolecules and metabolism, cell biology, Mendelian genetics, and gene expression. This course involves a weekly three hour lab. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher AND either MATH 0085 or MATH 0095 with a C (2.0) or higher.) (MNTC Area 3)
BIOL116 General Biology II (4 credits)
This course covers biology at the organismal, population and system level. It will emphasize organismal diversity, population and community ecology and ecosystems. Students will gain an understanding of how evolutionary advances have occurred among populations due to natural selection. This course involves a weekly three hour lab. (Prerequisites: Next-Generation Accuplacer score of 250 or above, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or either ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 or READ 0095 with a C (2.0) or higher or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher AND a Next-Generation Accuplacer QAS score of 237 or higher or Classic Accuplacer College Level Math score of 50 or higher, or either MATH 0085 or MATH 0095 with a C (2.0) or higher.) (MNTC area 3)
BIOL211 Genetics (4 credits)
This is an introductory Genetics course which covers the study of biologically inherited traits. It will emphasize Medelian genetics as well as molecular genetics. Students will explore classical, population, and molecular genetics. Students will learn genetics through lecture, solving genetics problems, and demonstrating concepts from lecture through laboratory experimentation. (Prerequisites: BIOL 115. BIOL 116 is strongly recommended) (MNTC Goal Area 3)
BIOL250 Biology Capstone (2 credits)
Biology Capstone is a course that is required before completion of an AS degree in Biology. It is a project based course in which students will demonstrate a culmination of the skills developed while at South Central College. The student enrolled in this course will complete a scientific research project and present the findings by writing a research paper and giving a poster presentation. In addition, students may be required to participate in all assessment activities as directed by the instructor and the Biology program. This course should be taken during the last semester before completion of an A.S. degree in Biology. (Prerequisite: Instructor permission)
BIOL215 General Ecology (4 credits)
This course examines interrelationships between organisms and their environment, with an emphasis on population, community and ecosystem dynamics. Ecological research methods are applied through hands-on activities in lab and in the field. While basic ecology is the focus, relationships between ecological research and current environmental issues will also be addressed. This course includes outdoor data collection and off-campus field trips. MNTC Goal Areas 3 and 10. (Prerequisites: BIOL 116)
OR
BIOL270 Microbiology (4 credits)
This course is an introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. It includes a survey of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms emphasizing bacteria and viruses. Topics include microbial cell structure and function, metabolism, microbial genetics, and the role of microorganisms in disease, immunity and other selected applied areas. Laboratory techniques include isolating, culturing and identifying microorganisms. This course contains a three hour per week laboratory component. (Prerequisites: A grade of C or higher in BIOL115 OR BIOL225 OR BIOL220 AND CHEM108 OR CHEM110 OR CHEM 120) (MNTC Goal Area 3)
ENGL100 Composition (4 credits)
Composition is concerned with developing, through theory and practice, the ability to communicate in written form for personal and professional reasons. Students will develop writing skills, analytic skills, and critical thinking skills. Students will complete readings, papers, grammar exercises, and in-class activities. Students will complete research and write a research paper. Students will learn methods of writing informatively and persuasively. (Prerequisites: Must have one of the following: (MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher) OR (READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) OR (completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) AND (completion of either ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 with a grade of C [2.0] or higher) (MNTC 1: Communication)
ENGL240 Technical Communication (4 credits)
This course will teach the essential skills of technical communication. It is an introduction to written communication, design production, and design evaluation of technical information. The class emphasizes adapting technical material targeted for specific audiences while using a procedural writing style. Students complete rhetorical and audience analyses, document creation, electronic writing, collaborative writing, and usability testing. (Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or instructor permission) MnTC Goal Area 1 - Communication)
CHEM120 Principles of Chemistry I (5 credits)
This course introduces the student to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, solution chemistry, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, periodicity, and states of matter. Laboratory reinforces lecture concepts. (Prerequisites: Accuplacer College Level Math score of 103 or ACT Math score of 22 or MATH 120 or currently taking MATH 120 is needed)
CHEM121 Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
Principles of Chemistry II is the second in a series of Chemistry courses designed for students who plan to major in a scientific or health related field. Topics include kinetics, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, buffers, precipitation reactions, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Lab topics reinforce lecture concepts. (Prerequisite: CHEM 120) (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences)
MATH120 College Algebra (4 credits)
College algebra studies functions and their applications. This course focuses on linear functions, quadratic functions, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and related equations, inequalities, and graphs. Additional topics include inverse functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, sequences and series, and the Binomial Theorem. MATH 120 satisfies the MNTC Category 4 Mathematical/Logical Reasoning requirement. (Prerequisites: Corequisite enrollment in MATH 0098 OR Completion of MATH 0098 OR MATH 0085 OR MATH 0095 with a grade of C or higher OR Accuplacer score of 56+ in Arithmetic and 76+ in Elementary Algebra and 50+ in College Math OR Next Gen Accuplacer score 250-300 AAF OR ACT Math score 22-36 OR MCA score 1158-1164)
COMM110 Public Speaking (3 credits)
Learners in this class develop (or improve) skills in creating, organizing, supporting, and delivering both informative and persuasive messages to peer audiences. Through this course, students will develop arguments and practice academic research skills in order to adequately support their messages and develop credibility and professionalism. Learners will practice critical thinking and listening skills, support fellow students while delivering impromptu and extemporaneous speeches, and provide peer feedback to ideas and speech development. This course stresses building confidence as public communicators so students may speak effectively at work, in their communities, and as citizens in a democracy. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) (MNTC: Goal areas 1 and 9).
MATH125 Trigonometry (3 credits)
A study of the six trigonometric functions, their inverses and their applications forms the heart of this course. First, the two common methods of angle measure are derived along with the related notions of length of arc and area of a sector. Then the trigonometric functions are defined in terms of the unit circle and their properties such as domain, range, period and amplitude are explored, along with their associated graphs. This leads to a study of identities and conditional equations. Triangle trigonometry and real-world applications follow, with an investigation of associated themes such as vectors, exponential and logarithmic functions.(Prerequisites: Next-Generation Accuplacer AAF score of 250 or higher or Classic Accuplacer College Math score of 63 or higher or Completion of MATH 120 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher or ACT Math score of 22 or higher.) (MNTC 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning)
OR
MATH154 Elementary Statistics (4 credits)
This course introduces the essential mathematical elements of statistics, applying them to a broad range of areas, including business, economics, and the physical, biological and social sciences. Topics include measures of central tendency and dispersion, variability, graphical displays, normal and t-distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, estimation, linear regression, correlation, and other selected statistical topics. Math 154 satisfies the MNTC Category 4 Mathematical/Logical Reasoning requirement. (Prerequisite: Corequisite enrollment in MATH 0099, OR Completion of MATH 0099 OR MATH 0085 OR MATH 0095 with a grade of C or higher, OR NextGen score of 250-300 QAS, OR ACT score of 19+, OR MCA score of 1148+, OR an Accuplacer test score of 56 or above in Arithmetic AND a score of 76 or above in Elementary Algebra)
Choose one of the following courses: (1 Course)
PHYS101 Introductory Physics (3 credits)
A one semester course covering the basic principles of physics at a conceptual level and with a minimal amount of math. Topics generally included mechanics, simple machines, atomic structure, heat, light, and sound. Lecture and laboratory. (Prerequisites: Next-Generation Accuplacer Arithmetic score of 250 to 300 AND Next-Generation Accuplacer QAS score of 200 to 236 or Classic Accuplacer Arithmetic score of 56 or higher AND Elementary Algebra score of 0 to 75 or completion of MATH 0075 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.) (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences)
BIOL220 Human Anatomy (4 credits)
This course takes an in-depth look at the anatomy of the human body systems. The course emphasizes structure and anatomical function at the cellular, tissue, organ and systemic level. Dysfunctions are included but the body in homeostasis is emphasized. This course includes a weekly three hour lab. Some labs include dissection. (Prerequisite: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC Goal Area 3)
MnTC (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum) Goal Areas to fulfill (3 Courses):
To reach the 60 credits needed for graduation (options for the MNTC goal areas below are included on the MNTC page):
Goal Area 5: Complete at least 1 course
Goal Area 6: Complete at least 1 course
Goal Areas 7-10: Complete at least 1 course
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
