Biology
Associate in Science for Transfer
Program Details
The Associate in Science in Biology for Transfer degree will prepare students to transfer into a curriculum at a CSU to pursue a baccalaureate degree in biology. Biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, life processes, and their interactions with each other and their environment. A major in the biological sciences is recommended for students interested in pursuing further study in biology, botany, zoology, ecology/environmental sciences, microbiology, agriculture, forestry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics or marine biology. This program also provides an excellent foundation for studies in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry and pre-veterinary medicine and may qualify students for positions as biology laboratory technicians. The sequence of courses may be taken on a full-time or a part-time basis. Some classes are offered both day and evening. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program. The Cuesta College AS-T degree in Biology requires: (1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following: (A) California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). (B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district. (2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0. (3) Earn a “C” or better grade in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.A "P" (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major.
Biology Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Agricultural Technicians
High school diploma/GED, Bachelor's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 32,860
- High salary: 69,010
- Average salary: 46790
Bioinformatics Scientists
Bachelor's degree, Post-doctoral training
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 54,500
- High salary: 159,780
- Average salary: 93330
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral degree, Post-doctoral training
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 50,760
- High salary: 169,560
- Average salary: 83460
All Careers in Biology (11)
| Bioinformatics Scientists | Bachelor's degree, Post-doctoral training | Rising | 93,330 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biologists | Master's degree, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 93,330 |
| Geneticists | Post-doctoral training, Master's degree | Rising | 93,330 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | Post-doctoral training, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 93,330 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree, Post-doctoral training | Rising | 83,460 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | Certificate after high school, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 67,440 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Declining | 64,580 |
| Biological Technicians | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 52,000 |
| Food Science Technicians | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Rising | 49,430 |
| Agricultural Technicians | High school diploma/GED, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 46,790 |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Rising | 46,790 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Apply evolutionary theory to the development of Biodiversity
- Apply the Scientific Method, including developing the ability to design, implement, and critically evaluate a Scientific Study and a Controlled Experiment
- Communicate the application of the steps of the scientific method using proper research paper format and language.
- Explain the basic principles of anatomy and physiology of organisms, as outcomes of evolutionary processes
- Outline the metabolic reactions of living organisms
- Outline the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the major clades of organisms.
- Use the metric system to make measurements of length, volume, and mass
