Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 2, Transfer Pattern: Natural Science and Mathematics Associate in Arts Degree Program

Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 2, Transfer Pattern: Natural Science and Mathematics Associate in Arts Degree Program

Program Overview

The Natural Science and Mathematics are a gateway to a very large number of occupations, many of which require specific coursework for transfer and/or admission to professional schools. In general, careers in the natural sciences require strong computational, communication and analytical thinking skills. The degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis in Natural Science and Mathematics prepares students for further study and employment as life and physical scientists, health practitioners, engineers and science technicians.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Use the scientific method to investigate scientific questions and critically evaluate and effectively communicate scientific data.
• Use symbolic, graphical and numerical representation of mathematical ideas to address real world problems.
• Critically evaluate scientific information and examine its significance and impact on society and the environment.

Requirements

AA Degree Requirements

• Complete 39 units of the CSU GE requirements (a C or better grade is required in Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4)
• Complete 34-37 units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for UC or CSU (all courses must be completed with a C or better grade)

Major: Core and Selective Requirements

• Selective Courses, choose a minimum of 18 units from the following:
  • Introductory Science Courses, select a minimum of 9 units:
    • Biology: a student may choose up to 2 of the following courses to meet this requirement:
      • BIOL 110: Principles Of Biology (4 units)
      • BIOL 130: Human Biology (3 units)
      • BIOL 132: Human Biology Laboratory (1 unit)
      • BIOL 310: Nutrition (3 units)
    • Chemistry: a student may choose 1 of the following courses to meet this requirement:
      • CHEM 192: Elementary Chemistry (4 units)
      • CHEM 210: General Chemistry I (5 units)
      • CHEM 410: Chemistry for Health Sciences (4 units)
    • Physics: a student may choose 1 of the following courses to meet this requirement:
      • PHYS 210: General Physics I (4 units)
      • PHYS 250: Physics with Calculus I (4 units)
    • Other sciences: a student may choose up to 3 of the following courses to meet this requirement:
      • ANTH 125: Biological Anthropology (3 units)
      • ASTR 100: Introduction to Astronomy (3 units)
      • ASTR 101: Astronomy Laboratory (1 unit)
      • CIS 118: Introduction to Computer Science (4 units)
      • CIS 122: Introduction to Programming: Python (3 units)
      • ENGR 100: Introduction to Engineering (3 units)
      • ENVS 115: Environmental Science (3 units)
      • GEOG 100: Physical Geography (3 units)
      • GEOL 100: Introduction to Geology (3 units)
      • GEOL 101: Geology Laboratory (1 unit)
      • HSCI 100: General Health Science (3 units)
      • METE 100: Meteorology - Weather and Climate (3 units)
      • OCEN 100: Oceanography (3 units)
      • OCEN 101: Oceanography Lab (1 unit)
  • Mathematics Competency, select a minimum of 3 units:
    • MATH 125: Elementary Finite Mathematics (3 units)
    • MATH 130: Analytical Trigonometry (4 units)
    • MATH 200: Elementary Probability and Statistics (4 units)
    • MATH 225: Path to Calculus (6 units)
    • MATH 241: Business Calculus I (5 units)
    • MATH 251: Analytical Geometry and Calculus I (5 units)
  • Advanced Courses, select a minimum of 6 units:
    • BIOL 225: Biology Of Organisms (5 units)
    • BIOL 230: Cell and Molecular Biology (5 units)
    • BIOL 240: General Microbiology (4 units)
    • BIOL 250: Human Anatomy (4 units)
    • BIOL 260: Human Physiology (5 units)
    • CHEM 220: General Chemistry II (5 units)
    • CHEM 231: Organic Chemistry I (5 units)
    • CIS 242: Computer Architecture and Assembly Language (3 units)
    • CIS 262: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (3 units)
    • MATH 252: Analytical Geometry and Calculus II (5 units)
    • MATH 253: Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (5 units)
    • PHYS 220: General Physics II (4 units)
    • PHYS 260: Physics with Calculus II (4 units)
    • PHYS 270: Physics with Calculus III (4 units)

Total Required Major Units: 18

Related Degrees & Certificates

• Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 1, Cañada College Pattern: Arts and Humanities (60 units)
• Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 1, Cañada College Pattern: Natural Science and Mathematics (60 units)
• Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 1, Cañada College Pattern: Social and Behavioral Sciences (60 units)
• Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 2, Transfer Pattern: Arts and Humanities (60 units)
• Interdisciplinary Studies, Option 2, Transfer Pattern: Social and Behavioral Sciences (60 units)

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Interdisciplinary Studies major with emphasis in Natural Science and Mathematics prepares students for further study and employment as life and physical scientists, health practitioners, engineers, and science technicians.
• Objectives: Students completing this program will be able to:
• Use the scientific method to investigate scientific questions and critically evaluate and effectively communicate scientific data.
• Use symbolic, graphical, and numerical representation of mathematical ideas to address real-world problems.
• Critically evaluate scientific information and examine its significance and impact on society and the environment.

Outline:

• Program Content: The program provides a foundation in natural science and mathematics through coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Students can choose from a variety of introductory and advanced courses in each discipline to meet their individual interests and career goals.
• Course Schedule: The program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study.
Students can take courses in any order, but it is recommended that they start with the introductory courses in each discipline before moving on to the more advanced courses. Instead, students take a variety of courses in natural science and mathematics to meet the program requirements.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including exams, quizzes, homework assignments, and laboratory reports.
• Assessment Criteria: Students are assessed on their knowledge of the subject matter, their ability to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, and their ability to communicate their findings effectively.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, laboratory experiments, and problem-solving exercises.
• Faculty: The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields.
• Unique Approaches: The program offers a unique interdisciplinary approach that allows students to explore connections between different disciplines in natural science and mathematics.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the program can pursue a variety of careers in natural science and mathematics, including:
• Life and physical scientists
• Health practitioners
• Engineers
• Science technicians
• Career Opportunities: Graduates of the program can find employment in a variety of settings, including:
• Research laboratories
• Hospitals and clinics
• Engineering firms
• Science museums
• Schools and universities