Natural Sciences Emphasis
AA Degree Natural Sciences · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Natural Sciences Division
A8988
An emphasis in Natural Sciences provides the student with an understanding of living and non-living systems and promotes an appreciation of the methodologies and tools of science. Students may select courses that focus on a specific major and then select complementary courses to strengthen their selected focus or they may select courses that strengthen and broaden their overall understanding of the Natural Sciences.
This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a minimum of 18 units from the following with at least one GE lab from each group: | 18-22 | |
| Group 1A: Physical Science Lecture Courses | ||
| (May take one or more courses from Group 1A) | ||
| ASTR 5 | Introduction to Astronomy | |
| orASTR 5H | Introduction to Astronomy - Honors | |
| ASTR 7 | Geology of the Solar System | |
| ASTR 8 | Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe | |
| ASTR 11 | Introduction to Astrophysics | |
| CHEM 9 | Chemistry of Everyday Life | |
| GEOG 1 | Physical Geography | |
| orGEOG 1H | Physical Geography - Honors | |
| GEOL 7 | Geology of California | |
| GEOL 8 | Earth Science | |
| orGEOL 8H | Earth Science - Honors | |
| GEOL 9 | Environmental Geology | |
| GEOL 10 | Natural Disasters | |
| GEOL 30 | Global Climate Change | |
| METO 3 | Weather and the Atmospheric Environment | |
| OCEA 10 | Introduction to Oceanography | |
| orOCEA 10H | Introduction to Oceanography - Honors | |
| Group 1B: Physical Science Lab Courses | ||
| (Must take at least one course from either Group 1B or 1C) | ||
| ASTR 5L | Astronomical Observing Laboratory | |
| GEOG 1L | Physical Geography Laboratory | |
| orGEOG 1LH | Physical Geography Laboratory - Honors | |
| GEOL 8L | Earth Science Laboratory | |
| GEOL 9L | Environmental Geology Laboratory | |
| METO 3L | Weather and Atmospheric Environment Laboratory | |
| OCEA 10L | Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory | |
| Group 1C: Physical Science Lecture-Lab Courses | ||
| (Must take at least one course from either Group 1B or 1C) | ||
| CHEM 10 | Chemistry for Allied Health Majors | |
| CHEM 20 | Introductory Organic and Biochemistry | |
| CHEM 40 | Introduction to General Chemistry | |
| CHEM 50 | General Chemistry I | |
| orCHEM 50H | General Chemistry I - Honors | |
| CHEM 51 | General Chemistry II | |
| orCHEM 51H | General Chemistry II - Honors | |
| CHEM 55 | Chemistry for Engineers | |
| CHEM 80 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 81 | Organic Chemistry II | |
| ENGR 1 | Introduction to Engineering | |
| ENGR 1C | Engineering Critical Thinking | |
| ENGR 6 | Introduction to Engineering Programming Concepts and Methodologies | |
| ENGR 8 | Properties of Materials | |
| GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | |
| GEOL 24 | Geologic Field Studies: Central California | |
| orGEOL 25 | Geologic Field Studies: Southern California | |
| GEOL 29 | Special Topics in Field Geology | |
| PHSC 3 | Energy Science | |
| PHYS 1 | Physics | |
| PHYS 2AG | General Physics | |
| PHYS 2BG | General Physics | |
| PHYS 4A | Engineering Physics | |
| PHYS 4B | Engineering Physics | |
| PHYS 4C | Engineering Physics | |
| Group 2A: Life Sciences Lecture Courses | ||
| (May take one or more courses from Group 2A) | ||
| ANTH 1 | Biological Anthropology | |
| orANTH 1H | Biological Anthropology - Honors | |
| BIOL 6 | Humans and the Environment | |
| BIOL 17 | Neurobiology and Behavior | |
| BIOL 20 | Marine Biology | |
| BIOL 34 | Fundamentals of Genetics | |
| MICR 26 | Introduction to Immunology | |
| Group 2B: Life Science Lab Courses | ||
| (Must take at least one course from either Group 2B or 2C) | ||
| Choose at least one from the following: | ||
| ANTH 1L | Biological Anthropology Laboratory | |
| BIOL 6L | Humans and the Environment Laboratory | |
| BIOL 21 | Marine Biology Laboratory | |
| BIOL 34L | Fundamentals of Genetics Laboratory | |
| Group 2C: Life Science Lecture-Lab Courses | ||
| (Must take at least one course from either Group 2B or 2C) | ||
| BIOL 1 | General Biology | |
| BIOL 2 | Plant and Animal Biology | |
| BIOL 3 | Ecology and Field Biology | |
| BIOL 4 | Biology for Majors | |
| orBIOL 4H | Biology for Majors - Honors | |
| BIOL 8 | Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| BTNY 3 | Plant Structures, Functions, and Diversity | |
| MICR 1 | Medical Microbiology | |
| orMICR 22 | Microbiology | |
| Total Units | 18-22 | |
Natural Sciences Division Website
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:
Analyze and model chemical, physical, or biological systems using scientific and/or mathematical methods.
Analyze and model chemical, physical, or biological systems using scientific and/or mathematical methods.
Critically read, interpret, and analyze a range of complex text and data to make connections and draw meaningful conclusions.
Identify and model the professional and ethical responsibilities of a scientist.
Communicate scientific principles and applications effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Describe the impact of humans and our technology in an environmental and societal context.
Pursue further study or life-long learning in the sciences.
Work collaboratively to reach a common goal or solve a problem.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.