Biological Sciences

Interested in exploring the living world around and within you? Biologists ask, and answer, a wide range of fascinating questions about life across all levels of organization.  Through hands-on engagement with the Scientific Method, you will develop the fundamental and applied skills to prepare for further academic study or a career in biology, health sciences, or related fields.  

View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates

The Biology Program is committed to provide students with a wide range of courses reflecting the diverse areas of study and related careers in the biological sciences. Our courses cover topics including cellular, molecular and organismal biology, ecology and evolution, health sciences, biotechnology, and environmental studies. These courses allow students to explore their interests in biology, engage with the scientific method through laboratory and field-based activities,  and learn of the many potential career paths in the field. Students who complete an area of study in biology may satisfy prerequisites for health-related programs such as nursing, meet graduation requirements at prospective transfer institutions, or complete the Associate in Science degree with a major in biology, health sciences, or environmental studies.

In addition to the core courses for the major or health-related fields, an introduction to other sciences is usually recommended and necessary for more advanced study. The biology faculty therefore suggests that students complete appropriate courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics concurrently with biology core courses. Students should refer to the requirements of prospective 4-year institutions or seek advice from a member of the biology faculty or a counselor before choosing electives.

Program Length

Four semesters.

Transfer Options

We offer two different biology majors course sequences that articulate to most of our transfer institutions. Additionally, nearly all of our courses articulate successfully fulfilling the Life Sciences requirement. Our students transfer to UCI, Cal State Fullerton, UCLA, UCR, UCSB, UCSD, Berkeley, Cal State Long Beach and many other 4 year institutions.

Program Specific Support

Tutors for Life Sciences course are available through the Student Success Center. Many of our courses include the use of lab space and the support of lab technicians for an immersive learning experience.

Your Support Team

Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond! 

Coming Soon: Completion Teams to get students from start to goal! Look for your team beginning fall 2021!

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Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

  • This is only a sample academic plan. Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 3A*Analytic Geometry and Calculus I2A & Major5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry I5A/5C & Major5
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
BIO 80Integrated Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems5B/5C & Major4
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry II5A/5C & Major5
MATH 3BAnalytic Geometry and Calculus II2A & Major5
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
Physics 4A**General Physics1B4
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 2College Writing Critical Thinking 1B4
CHEM 12AOrganic Chemistry5A/5C & Major5
BIO 81Integrated Biology: From DNA to Organisms5B/5C & Major4
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
CHEM 12BOrganic Chemistry5A/5C & Major5
Physics 4B**General Physics5A/5C & Major4
Physics 4C** and/or Math 10***General Physics and/or StatisticsVarious3-7
Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral SciencesArts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course3A or 3B or 43
  1. This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.            
  2. Some UCs may require or recommend two or three physics courses for transfer as a biology major.               
  3. Some UCs may require or recommend a statistics course for transfer as a biology major.              
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
MATH 3A*Analytic Geometry and Calculus IB4 & Major5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry IB1/B3 & Major5
BIO 80**Integrated Biology: Organisms to EcosystemsB2/B3 & Major4
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 1A24
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry IIB1/B3 & Major5
BIO 16Cellular Biology Major4
Lifelong Learning and Self-DevelopmentLifelong Learning and Self-Development GE CourseE3
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
COMM 1Communication FundamentalsA13
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking GE CourseA33-4
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
PHYS 2A or 4A***Physics CourseB1/B3 & Major4
CHEM 12AOrganic ChemistryB1/B35
ArtsArts GE CourseC13
HIST 20 or HIST 21American History CourseD3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
PHYS 2B or 4B***Physics CourseB1/B3 & Major 4
CHEM 12BOrganic ChemistryB1/B35
HumanitiesHumanities GE CourseC23
PS 1American GovernmentD3
  1. This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.      
  2. Students can take BIO 80 (or) BIO 2 and BIO 5 to meet the requirements fo an AS-T in Biology.       
  3. Some CSU campuses may require or recommmend different physics courses for transfer as a biology major.      
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAS GE Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 2* or MATH 3*Pre-Calculus or Analytic Geometry and Calculus IIC5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry I2 & Major5
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAS GE Area/MajorUnits
Communication/ThinkingCommunication/Analytical Thinking GE Course1B3-4
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry II2 & Major5
BIO 80Integrated Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems2 & Major4
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)1
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAS GE Area/MajorUnits
BIO 81Integrated Biology: From DNA to Organisms2 & Major4
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAS GE Area/MajorUnits
CHEM 12A Organic Chemistry2 & Major5
BIO 82Genetics2 & Major4
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE Course43
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAS GE Area/MajorUnits
CHEM 12BOrganic Chemistry2 & Major5
BIO 83Biochemistry and Molecular Biology2 & Major4
Social SciencesSocial Sciences GE Course33
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)2
  1. This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 2 or Math 3A in the first semester.      
  • Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Ethnic Studies requirement for the AS degree.

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

  • This is only a sample academic plan. Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 3A*Analytic Geometry and Calculus I2A & Major5
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry I5A/5C & Major5
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 2College Writing Critical Thinking 1B4
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry II5A/5C & Major5
MATH 3BAnalytic Geometry and Calculus II2A & Major5
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
Physics 4A**General Physics5A/5C & Major4
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
CHEM 12AOrganic Chemistry5A/5C & Major5
BIO 80Integrated Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems5B/5C & Major4
Physics 4B and/or 4C**General Physics5A/5C & Major4-8
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
CHEM 12BOrganic Chemistry5A/5C & Major5
BIO 81Integrated Biology: From DNA to Organisms5B/5C & Major4
Major PrepMajor Preparation CourseVarious & Major3-5
Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral SciencesArts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course3A or 3B or 43
  1. This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.            
  2. Some UCs may require or recommend two or three physics courses for transfer as a biochemistry major.               

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

  • This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 3ACalculus IB45
ENV 1Introduction to Enviromental StudiesD3
ArtsArts GE Course3A3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1C3
WR 2College Writing 2 - Critical Thinking1B4
CHEM 1A*General Chemistry IB1/B3 & Major5
Social ScienceSocial Science GE Course 43
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 1Physical GeographyB1 & Major3
GEOG 1 LabPhysical Geography LabB3 & Major1
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
BIO 80**Integrated Biology: Organisms to EcosystemsB2/B3 & Major4
Physics 2A or 4A**Introduction to Physics or General Physics1B4
Social ScienceSocial Science GE Course 43
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE Course3A or 3B3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
BIO 81**Integrated Biology: From DNA to OrganismsB2/B3 & Major4
Physics 2B or 4B**Introduction to Physics or General Physics5A/5C & Major4
StatisticsVarious Statistics CoursesB4 & Major3
Transfer ElectiveTransfer Elective Course (Courses 1-199)1-3
  1. Some CSUs may require or recommend a second semester of chemistry for admissions to their CSU campus.
  2. Students can take Bio 80 & 81 or BIO 2, 5 & 16 as a set to meet the requirements for the Environomental Science AS-T degree. Please see a counselor to see what is your best option.

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

  • AA = Associate of Arts
  • AS = Associate of Science
  • AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
  • AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
  • COA = Certificate of Achievement
  • COP = Certificate of Proficiency

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