Pre-Nursing Associate in Science Degree Program

Program Overview

The Biology degree in Pre-Nursing prepares students for transfer to a four-year nursing program. Upon completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduates can pursue various nursing specializations. The program requires core courses in microbiology, anatomy, and physiology, as well as selective courses in chemistry. Graduates can pursue careers in biology, agriculture, or medicine, including nursing, research, and education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The Biology degree in Pre-Nursing prepares students to transfer to a four-year program at a baccalaureate institution.
• Upon completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduates choose from first level professional nursing staff positions in specializations which include community health, geriatrics, maternity, mental health, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery.
• Note that for College of San Mateo's Nursing Program CHEM 410 is the specific chemistry prerequisite.
Be sure to check the specific prerequisites for other Nursing Programs.

Outline:

• Major Requirements:
• Required Core Courses: 13 units
• BIOL 240 General Microbiology (4 units)
• BIOL 250 Human Anatomy (4 units)
• BIOL 260 Human Physiology (5 units)
• Required Selective Courses: 8 or 10 units from one of the following groups:
• Group 1
• CHEM 210 General Chemistry I (5 units)
• CHEM 220 General Chemistry II (5 units)
• Group 2
• CHEM 410 Health Science Chemistry I (4 units)
• CHEM 420 Health Science Chemistry II (4 units)
• Total Required Major Units:21 - 23
• **And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Careers:

• Career opportunities for those who major in the Biological Sciences and obtain a Bachelor’s or advanced degree include a variety of interesting occupations related mainly to biology, agriculture or medicine.
• Biological professions include anatomist, aquatic biologist, bacteriologist, biologist, biotechnologist, botanist, cytogeneticist, cytologist, ecologist, embryologist, entomologist, geneticist, herpetologist, ichthyologist, mammalogist, marine biologist, microbiologist, molecular biologist, morphologist, mycologist, ornithologist, paleobotanist, paleozoologist, parasitologist, pathologist, pharmacologist, photobiologist, phycologist, physiologist, protozoologist, systematist, taxonomist, toxicologist, tropical biologist, virologist, wildlife biologist, and zoologist.
• Many biologists are educators as well as scientists.
Biologists are also employed as forensic scientists, illustrators, museum specialists, naturalists, photographers, and science writers/editors. Agricultural professions include agricultural biologist, agrigeneticist, animal scientist, apiculturist, farmer/farm manager, field crop manager, fish and game warden, food technologist, foresters/forestry technicians, horticulturist, plant and animal breeder, plant and animal physiologist, plant quarantine/ pest control inspector, range scientist, and soil scientist/conservationist.
• Medical professions include audiologist, chiropractor, coroner, dentist, exercise physiologist, health care administrator, medical laboratory technologist/technician, medical librarian, nurse, nutritionist, optometrist, pharmacist, physician, podiatrist, public/ environmental health specialist, sanitarian, speech pathologist, and veterinarian.
Additional medical careers include specialists in sports medicine, and manual arts, music, occupational, physical, and recreational therapists.