Biological Sciences

Associate in Science
Transfer Degree
Cost
$11,534*

Learn about life

Investigate the foundations of nature

Understand and appreciate the infinite complexities of life by studying biological sciences at College of Lake County. Inside this fascinating scientific arena, you study ever-evolving subjects like anthropology, chemistry and more. You learn what makes us, well, us, and you open exciting (and often lucrative) career paths.

What can you do with an A.S. in Biological Sciences?

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in biological sciences prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, zoology or related fields, which prepares you for these careers.

Highlights

  • Program Length: 2 Years

    Full-time students finish in 2 years.

  • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

    Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.

  • Transfer Degree

    Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice.

Career Outlook

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Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.

Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

Icon Key

  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Dual credit options available
  • Global citizenship
  • Online/Virtual options available

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CLC 120

    CLC 120 College Success Seminar

    Class Description

    This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
         		2
    BIO 161

    BIO 161 General Biology I

    Class Description

    This course introduces general biological principles of life processes common to all organisms. Topics covered include the nature of life, unifying themes underlying biology, chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, energetics, cell reproduction, concepts of genetics and inheritance patterns, molecular genetics, and biotechnology. This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence intended for biology majors and students seeking careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine. NOTE: Knowledge of chemistry is helpful.
         		4
    CHM 121

    CHM 121 General Chemistry I

    Class Description

    This course develops an analytical approach to solving chemical problems. The student is provided with principles that relate chemical structure, energy and reactivity and is introduced to the following topics: composition and properties of matter, nomenclature, stoichiometry, solutions, gas laws, thermochemistry, atomic structure and periodic trends, bonding, molecular geometries, and properties of liquids, solids and gases. This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence intended for chemistry majors, science majors, engineering majors, and students seeking careers in pre-professional health related fields.
         		5
    ENG 121

    ENG 121 English Composition I

    Class Description

    This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
         		3
    • Course Code CLC 120
      Course Title

      CLC 120 College Success Seminar

      Class Description

      This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
      Credits 2
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code BIO 161
      Course Title

      BIO 161 General Biology I

      Class Description

      This course introduces general biological principles of life processes common to all organisms. Topics covered include the nature of life, unifying themes underlying biology, chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, energetics, cell reproduction, concepts of genetics and inheritance patterns, molecular genetics, and biotechnology. This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence intended for biology majors and students seeking careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine. NOTE: Knowledge of chemistry is helpful.
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CHM 121
      Course Title

      CHM 121 General Chemistry I

      Class Description

      This course develops an analytical approach to solving chemical problems. The student is provided with principles that relate chemical structure, energy and reactivity and is introduced to the following topics: composition and properties of matter, nomenclature, stoichiometry, solutions, gas laws, thermochemistry, atomic structure and periodic trends, bonding, molecular geometries, and properties of liquids, solids and gases. This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence intended for chemistry majors, science majors, engineering majors, and students seeking careers in pre-professional health related fields.
      Credits 5
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ENG 121
      Course Title

      ENG 121 English Composition I

      Class Description

      This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    BIO 162

    BIO 162 General Biology II

    Class Description

    This course examines the following areas of biology: ecology, evolution, systematics, biological diversity, and various systems. Laboratory work includes field and laboratory experiments and computer simulations. This course is the second semester of a two semester sequence intended for biology majors and students seeking careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine.
         		4
    CHM 123

    CHM 123 General Chemistry II

    Class Description

    This course is the second semester of a two semester sequence intended for chemistry majors, and students seeking careers in pre-professional health-related fields. It continues some of the topics presented in CHM 121, General Chemistry I, in more detail. The student is also introduced to the following topics: dynamics of solution formation, various ways to express solution concentrations, colligative properties, chemical kinetics, reaction mechanisms, chemical equilibrium, acids, bases, hydrolysis, buffers, titration, solubility, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. The course also includes introductory work in qualitative analysis.
         		5
    ENG 122

    ENG 122 English Composition II

    Class Description

    This course furthers the work done in English Composition I by providing students more experience as academic writers, readers, researchers and critical thinkers. To help students construct their own meaning while engaging with the texts of others, they will develop the ability to collect, evaluate, and incorporate varied sources in thoughtfully-written analyses and arguments. Students' work should demonstrate the ability to position themselves within the context of academic and societal conversations using a variety of texts, which may include literature, arguments on various issues, news articles, films, advertisements, and websites.
         		3
    ENG 126

    ENG 126 Advanced Composition: Scientific and Technical Communications

    Class Description

    This course is a transferable advanced composition course stressing the writing process for students in scientific and technical majors. It covers writing concisely, precisely, and clearly for a variety of purposes and audiences. It includes a multi-source research paper, writing scientific and technical reports, writing abstracts and summaries of magazine articles, writing letters, proposals, resumes, instructions, and descriptions. Students will read, write, and think critically about a variety of issues in the scientific and technical discourse communities including the environment and the ethics of new technology.
         		3
    MTH 123

    MTH 123 Trigonometry

    Class Description

    This course is primarily for students who intend to take MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. Trigonometry topics include, but are not limited to: trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities and equations, and applications of trigonometry. Modeling and problem solving will be implemented throughout the course. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact EMPS division office for details.
         		3
    • Course Code BIO 162
      Course Title

      BIO 162 General Biology II

      Class Description

      This course examines the following areas of biology: ecology, evolution, systematics, biological diversity, and various systems. Laboratory work includes field and laboratory experiments and computer simulations. This course is the second semester of a two semester sequence intended for biology majors and students seeking careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine.
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CHM 123
      Course Title

      CHM 123 General Chemistry II

      Class Description

      This course is the second semester of a two semester sequence intended for chemistry majors, and students seeking careers in pre-professional health-related fields. It continues some of the topics presented in CHM 121, General Chemistry I, in more detail. The student is also introduced to the following topics: dynamics of solution formation, various ways to express solution concentrations, colligative properties, chemical kinetics, reaction mechanisms, chemical equilibrium, acids, bases, hydrolysis, buffers, titration, solubility, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. The course also includes introductory work in qualitative analysis.
      Credits 5
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ENG 122
      Course Title

      ENG 122 English Composition II

      Class Description

      This course furthers the work done in English Composition I by providing students more experience as academic writers, readers, researchers and critical thinkers. To help students construct their own meaning while engaging with the texts of others, they will develop the ability to collect, evaluate, and incorporate varied sources in thoughtfully-written analyses and arguments. Students' work should demonstrate the ability to position themselves within the context of academic and societal conversations using a variety of texts, which may include literature, arguments on various issues, news articles, films, advertisements, and websites.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ENG 126
      Course Title

      ENG 126 Advanced Composition: Scientific and Technical Communications

      Class Description

      This course is a transferable advanced composition course stressing the writing process for students in scientific and technical majors. It covers writing concisely, precisely, and clearly for a variety of purposes and audiences. It includes a multi-source research paper, writing scientific and technical reports, writing abstracts and summaries of magazine articles, writing letters, proposals, resumes, instructions, and descriptions. Students will read, write, and think critically about a variety of issues in the scientific and technical discourse communities including the environment and the ethics of new technology.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code MTH 123
      Course Title

      MTH 123 Trigonometry

      Class Description

      This course is primarily for students who intend to take MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. Trigonometry topics include, but are not limited to: trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities and equations, and applications of trigonometry. Modeling and problem solving will be implemented throughout the course. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact EMPS division office for details.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    PSY 121

    PSY 121 Introduction to Psychology

    Class Description

    This course presents the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives for understanding psychology with an emphasis on cultural competence and social justice. It encompasses factors affecting human behavior and mental processes and includes, but is not limited to, the history of psychology, research methodology, the brain and behavior, learning, memory, cognition, language, intelligence, development, personality, abnormal psychology, therapy and social psychology.
         		3
    • Course Code PSY 121
      Course Title

      PSY 121 Introduction to Psychology

      Class Description

      This course presents the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives for understanding psychology with an emphasis on cultural competence and social justice. It encompasses factors affecting human behavior and mental processes and includes, but is not limited to, the history of psychology, research methodology, the brain and behavior, learning, memory, cognition, language, intelligence, development, personality, abnormal psychology, therapy and social psychology.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CHM 222

    CHM 222 Organic Chemistry I

    Class Description

    This course introduces students to theoretical concepts and experimental techniques related to the chemistry of carbon compounds. Topics will include nomenclature, acid-base systems, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, stereochemistry, and major substitution, addition, and elimination reaction mechanisms. The laboratory experiments will include basic techniques of separation and purification of organic compounds and synthesis of compounds using reactions presented in the lectures. This course is the first of a two-semester sequence and is intended for chemistry majors and students seeking careers in pre-professional medical-related fields.
         		5
    MTH 145

    MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

    Class Description

    This course covers the calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions. Analytic geometry topics are limited to the line and circle. Calculus topics include limits, differentiation and integration of both algebraic and transcendental functions, including trigonometric functions, with applications. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact the EMPS division office for details.
         		5
    CMM 121

    CMM 121 Fundamentals of Speech

    Class Description

    For students interested in improving their oral communication competency. This course combines a theoretical basis with practical verbal and nonverbal skills to enhance public speaking effectiveness. Students learn how to develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages.
         		3
    HUM 127

    HUM 127 Critical Thinking

    Class Description

    This course is an introduction to critical thinking skills (i.e., informal logic), including the following: problem solving, diagramming and evaluating arguments, constructing sound reasoning skills and habits, detecting fallacies, and reasoning from a variety of disciplines such as science, business, law, and the arts.
         		3
    • Course Code CHM 222
      Course Title

      CHM 222 Organic Chemistry I

      Class Description

      This course introduces students to theoretical concepts and experimental techniques related to the chemistry of carbon compounds. Topics will include nomenclature, acid-base systems, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, stereochemistry, and major substitution, addition, and elimination reaction mechanisms. The laboratory experiments will include basic techniques of separation and purification of organic compounds and synthesis of compounds using reactions presented in the lectures. This course is the first of a two-semester sequence and is intended for chemistry majors and students seeking careers in pre-professional medical-related fields.
      Credits 5
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code MTH 145
      Course Title

      MTH 145 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

      Class Description

      This course covers the calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions. Analytic geometry topics are limited to the line and circle. Calculus topics include limits, differentiation and integration of both algebraic and transcendental functions, including trigonometric functions, with applications. NOTE: A specific graphing calculator is required for this course. Contact the EMPS division office for details.
      Credits 5
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CMM 121
      Course Title

      CMM 121 Fundamentals of Speech

      Class Description

      For students interested in improving their oral communication competency. This course combines a theoretical basis with practical verbal and nonverbal skills to enhance public speaking effectiveness. Students learn how to develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HUM 127
      Course Title

      HUM 127 Critical Thinking

      Class Description

      This course is an introduction to critical thinking skills (i.e., informal logic), including the following: problem solving, diagramming and evaluating arguments, constructing sound reasoning skills and habits, detecting fallacies, and reasoning from a variety of disciplines such as science, business, law, and the arts.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    BIO 222

    BIO 222 General Botany

    Class Description

    This course is a comparative study of organisms including photosynthetic protists, fungi, and plants. Morphology, both microscopic and macroscopic, and lifecycle are emphasized with a focus on evolutionary advancements within the taxa. Identification includes representative species of each taxa in addition to plant family characteristics. Ecology with an emphasis on plant conservation is included.
         		4
    CHM 223

    CHM 223 Organic Chemistry II

    Class Description

    This course presents the fundamental principles of organic chemistry with an emphasis on the syntheses, reactions, mechanisms, structures and identification of organic compounds. Topics include nomenclature, instrumental analyses, aromatic compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, aldehydes, ketones, condensation reactions, amines, and an introduction to biochemical molecules. Laboratory includes preparation and separation of organic compounds, analyses of properties and identification of organic compounds. This course is the second semester of a two semester organic chemistry sequence (CHM 222 followed by CHM 223) and is intended for chemistry majors and students seeking careers in other sciences and pre-professional medical-related fields.
         		5
    SOC 225

    SOC 225 Class, Race, and Gender

    Class Description

    This course uses various sociological perspectives to examine how class, race, and gender structure individual and group access to power, resources, opportunities, and prestige. It examines how these socially constructed categories provide identity and meaning that shape social interaction and institutional structure and practice. Classical and contemporary theoretical and empirical models demonstrate how the intersection of these major dimensions of inequality represent a source of opportunity and privilege, while simultaneously contributing to the reproduction of social inequality.
         		3
    ART 121

    ART 121 Introduction to Art

    Class Description

    This course will introduce students to an appreciation of the visual arts through an intercultural, social/historical approach. The course will also emphasize the nature of the creative process, integrating a study of the conceptual principles, with methods and materials which influence artistic critical thinking, problem solving, exploration, and discovery. Note: A museum visit will be required during the semester at student expense. See course syllabus for approximate cost.
         		3
    • Course Code BIO 222
      Course Title

      BIO 222 General Botany

      Class Description

      This course is a comparative study of organisms including photosynthetic protists, fungi, and plants. Morphology, both microscopic and macroscopic, and lifecycle are emphasized with a focus on evolutionary advancements within the taxa. Identification includes representative species of each taxa in addition to plant family characteristics. Ecology with an emphasis on plant conservation is included.
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CHM 223
      Course Title

      CHM 223 Organic Chemistry II

      Class Description

      This course presents the fundamental principles of organic chemistry with an emphasis on the syntheses, reactions, mechanisms, structures and identification of organic compounds. Topics include nomenclature, instrumental analyses, aromatic compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, aldehydes, ketones, condensation reactions, amines, and an introduction to biochemical molecules. Laboratory includes preparation and separation of organic compounds, analyses of properties and identification of organic compounds. This course is the second semester of a two semester organic chemistry sequence (CHM 222 followed by CHM 223) and is intended for chemistry majors and students seeking careers in other sciences and pre-professional medical-related fields.
      Credits 5
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code SOC 225
      Course Title

      SOC 225 Class, Race, and Gender

      Class Description

      This course uses various sociological perspectives to examine how class, race, and gender structure individual and group access to power, resources, opportunities, and prestige. It examines how these socially constructed categories provide identity and meaning that shape social interaction and institutional structure and practice. Classical and contemporary theoretical and empirical models demonstrate how the intersection of these major dimensions of inequality represent a source of opportunity and privilege, while simultaneously contributing to the reproduction of social inequality.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ART 121
      Course Title

      ART 121 Introduction to Art

      Class Description

      This course will introduce students to an appreciation of the visual arts through an intercultural, social/historical approach. The course will also emphasize the nature of the creative process, integrating a study of the conceptual principles, with methods and materials which influence artistic critical thinking, problem solving, exploration, and discovery. Note: A museum visit will be required during the semester at student expense. See course syllabus for approximate cost.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

Total Credit Hours

63

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Female student taking notes in class

Biological Sciences at CLC

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Learn about courses, faculty, related programs and more.

View the Biological Sciences program overview

Frequently asked questions

  • Photo of Kamden Kuklinski

    Kamden Kuklinski

    Transfer student

    “CLC was a really good option for me. I think it was the perfect way to go because it was very affordable. The smaller class sizes and community feel definitely made it feel like home.”

    Kamden studied biological sciences at CLC, then transferred to Lake Forest College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He works at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis doing biomedical research as he prepares for graduate school.

    Read Kamden's story

    Photo of Kamden Kuklinski

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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