# Natural Science (Associate in Science Degree)

Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Natural Science

Source: https://catalog.cccd.edu/orange-coast/pathways/math-science-engineering/natural-science/natural-science-associate-science-degree/

Complete eighteen (18) units from the following and the Associate in Science graduation requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements section of the catalog. If a student chooses this degree option, a plan must be developed with a counselor and placed on file prior to petitioning for graduation.

#### Program Outcome:

#### Program Learning Outcomes

1.  Describe the underlying scientific principles and processes that shape the natural world.

### Requirements

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required Courses** | |  |
| **Select a minimum of 18 total units combined from Group A & Group B** | |  |
| **Group A - Physical Sciences** | |  |
| ASTR A100 | Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| or ASTR A100H | Introduction to Astronomy Honors |  |
| ASTR A100L | Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory | 1 |
| or ASTR A100M | Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Honors |  |
| ASTR A101 | Planetary Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR A102 | Stellar Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR A103 | Cosmology | 3 |
| ASTR A104 | Galactic Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR A110 | Observational Astronomy | 2 |
| ASTR A200 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 4 |
| or ASTR A200H | Introduction to Astrophysics Honors |  |
| CHEM A100 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM A110 | Introduction to Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM A130 | Preparation for General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM A180 | General Chemistry A | 5 |
| CHEM A185 | General Chemistry B | 5 |
| CHEM A220 | Organic Chemistry A | 3 |
| CHEM A220L | Organic Chemistry A Lab | 2 |
| CHEM A225 | Organic Chemistry B | 3 |
| CHEM A225L | Organic Chemistry B Laboratory | 2 |
| GEOL A101 | Age of the Dinosaurs | 4 |
| GEOL A105 | General Geology | 3 |
| or GEOL A105H | General Geology Honors |  |
| GEOL A105L | General Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| or GEOL A105M | General Geology Laboratory Honors |  |
| GEOL A106 | Earth Science for Teachers | 4 |
| GEOL A110 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL A115 | California Geology | 3 |
| GEOL A131 | Weather and Climate | 3 |
| GEOL A137 | Introductory Field Geology | 4 |
| GEOL A160 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| GEOL A165 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| GEOL A185 | Evolution of the Earth | 3 |
| GEOL A185H | Evolution of the Earth Honors | 3 |
| GEOL A185L | Evolution of the Earth Lab | 1 |
| or GEOL A185M | Evolution of the Earth Lab Honors |  |
| GEOL A250 | Water Resources and Society | 3 |
| GEOL A280 | Introduction to Mineralogy | 4 |
| GEOL A285 | Petrology | 4 |
| MRSC A185 | Coastal Oceanography | 3 |
| MRSC A185L | Coastal Oceanography Lab | 1 |
| PHYS A110 | Conceptual Physics | 3 |
| PHYS A111 | Introductory Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS A112 | Survey of Chemistry and Physics with Lab | 4 |
| PHYS A115 | Physics of Music | 3 |
| PHYS A120 | Algebra-Based Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab | 4 |
| PHYS A125 | Algebra-Based Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab | 4 |
| PHYS A130 | University Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab | 4 |
| PHYS A135 | University Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab | 4 |
| PHYS A185 | Calculus-Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab | 5 |
| or PHYS A185H | Calculus-Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab Honors |  |
| PHYS A280 | Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab | 5 |
| PHYS A285 | Calculus-Based Physics: Modern with Lab | 5 |
| **Group B - Biological Sciences** | |  |
| BIOL A100 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| or BIOL A100H | Principles of Biology Honors |  |
| BIOL A114 | Basic Microbiology | 2 |
| BIOL A125 | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL A172 | Nature of Birds | 1 |
| BIOL A180 | Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL A182 | Zoology | 3 |
| or BIOL A182H | Zoology Honors |  |
| BIOL A182L | Zoology Lab | 1 |
| BIOL A183 | Botany | 3 |
| BIOL A183L | Botany Lab | 1 |
| BIOL A185 | Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | 5 |
| BIOL A210 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| BIOL A220 | Human Anatomy | 5 |
| BIOL A221 | Anatomy-Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL A225 | Human Physiology | 5 |
| BIOL A280 | Evolutionary Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL A281 | Biochemistry | 2 |
| BIOL A282 | Molecular Biology | 2 |
| BIOL A283 | Genetics | 4 |
| ESEC A100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| or ESEC A100H | Introduction to Environmental Science Honors |  |
| ESEC A110 | Island Ecology | 3 |
| ESEC A121 | Marine Intertidal Ecology | 1 |
| ESEC A124 | Ecology of the Gray Whale | 1 |
| ESEC A140 | Mediterranean Biome Ecology | 1 |
| ESEC A141 | Desert Ecology | 1 |
| HORT A100 | Horticultural Science | 3 |
| MRSC A100 | Oceanography | 3 |
| or MRSC A100H | Oceanography Honors |  |
| MRSC A100L | Oceanography Laboratory | 1 |
| or MRSC A100M | Oceanography Laboratory Honors |  |
| MRSC A119 | Ocean Conservation and Community Science | 3 |
| MRSC A120 | Marine Aquarium Science | 2 |
| MRSC A121 | Marine Intertidal Ecology | 1 |
| MRSC A124 | Ecology of the Gray Whale | 1 |
| MRSC A180 | Marine Biology | 3 |
| MRSC A180L | Marine Biology Lab | 1 |
| MRSC A187 | Marine Mammals | 3 |
| MRSC A190 | Marine Research and Monitoring Techniques | 3 |
| MRSC A195 | Marine Policy and Conservation | 3 |
| MRSC A287 | Introduction to Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation | 1 |
| MRSC A288 | Survey of Marine Mammal Research and Techniques | 1 |
| **Total Major Units** | | 18 |
| **OCC AS General Education** | | 21 |
| **Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirements** | | varies |
| **Total Units** | | 60 |

1. Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
2. Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.

### Program Sequence

#### Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. **Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.**

**Year 1**

| Semester 1 | Units |
| --- | --- |
| AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) | 3-5 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 3- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 4- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 6- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
|  | Units | 15-17 |

| Semester 2 |
| --- |
| OCC AS GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 |
| AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) | 3-5 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) | 3 |
|  | Units | 12-16 |

**Year 2**

| Semester 1 |
| --- |
| AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) | 3-5 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) | 12 |
|  | Units | 15-17 |

| Semester 2 |
| --- |
| AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) | 3-5 |
| AS MAJOR COURSE: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ECOL, ESEC, GEOL, MRSC, PHYS (See Requirements for Courses) 1 | 6-0 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 2 | 9 |
|  | Units | 18-14 |
|  | Total Units | 60-64 |

1. TO REACH MINIMUM 18 UNITS OF MAJOR
2. VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS