Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biochemistry

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Biochemistry provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in biochemistry or are preparing for graduate programs in the area. With an associate`s degree, students may qualify as a chemical technician. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as a biochemist or biochemical engineer. With a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as a medical research scientist.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Science (AS)
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biochemistry (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8610
Total credits required
60-64
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Apply fundamental theories of physical, chemical, and life sciences to construct models to demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biochemical principles, such as the structure/function of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, and the regulation of biological/biochemical processes. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112)
  • Utilize basic laboratory techniques and technology in both chemistry and biology to apply the scientific inquiry to the processes of experimentation and hypothesis testing. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112)
  • Adhere to standard safety protocols when performing experiments and collecting data. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112)
  • Critically evaluate primary scientific research. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112, (CRE), [FYC])
  • Apply and effectively communicate scientific reasoning and data analysis in both written and oral forums. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112, (COM), (CRE), [FYC])
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior appropriate to scientific research. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112, (COM), [FYC])
  • Collaborate with other scientists, including people of diverse backgrounds. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, MAT220, MAT221, MAT230, MAT231, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [SB])
  • Integrate social and ethical responsibility in decision making and actions. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [SB])
  • Serve the community by assisting in the care of underserved populations. (BIO181++, BIO182++, CHM150AA, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235AA, CHM235LL, CHM236AA, CHM236LL, PHY101, PHY111, PHY112, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [SB])
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)
Required courses
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:25-28
BIO181++General Biology (Majors) I4
BIO182++General Biology (Majors) II4
CHM150General Chemistry I (4) AND
CHM151LLGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
OR
CHM150AAGeneral Chemistry I (5)
OR
CHM151General Chemistry I (3) AND
CHM151LLGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
OR
CHM151AAGeneral Chemistry I (4)4-5
CHM152General Chemistry II (3) AND
CHM152LLGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory (1) OR
CHM152AAGeneral Chemistry II (4)4
CHM235General Organic Chemistry I (3) AND
CHM235LLGeneral Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) OR
CHM235AAGeneral Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4)4
CHM236General Organic Chemistry IIA (3) AND
CHM236LLGeneral Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory (1) OR
CHM236AAGeneral Organic Chemistry IIA with Lab (4)4
FYE101Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3)1-3

Course Sequence by Term

Restricted Electives
Course #Course TitleCredits
Credits:4-13
Complete requirements in the transfer option that best aligns with your academic and professional goals. If your intended transfer institution is not listed, then select a combination of courses from the transfer options listed in order to meet the minimum credits required in the Restricted Electives section. Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to prevent exceeding your university transfer program`s maximum transferable credits (typically 64). Courses in the Restricted Electives area may be used to fulfill AGEC requirements simultaneously.
Transfer Plan 1: Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry
MAT230Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (5) OR
MAT231Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4)4-5
PHY111General Physics I4
PHY112General Physics II4
Transfer Plan 2: Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Arts, Biochemistry
PHY101Introduction to Physics (4)
OR
PHY111General Physics I (4) AND
PHY112General Physics II (4)4-8
Note that students considering graduate school or health professions should complete PHY111 and PHY112. All other students may complete PHY101.
Second Language Requirement:
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program`s maximum transferable credits (typically 64). Please see the General Electives for more information.
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
AGEC-SCredits: 22-32
A single course with an [HU], [SB], or [L] designation may also be used to satisfy the Oral Communication, Critical Reading, or Awareness Area ([C], [G] and/or [H]) requirement(s).
A single course with both the [HU] and [L] designations may be used to satisfy both of these areas.
A single course with both the [SB] and [L] designations may be used to satisfy both of these areas.

See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.
 
First-Year Composition [FYC]Credits: 6
ENG101First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG107First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND
ENG102First-Year Composition (3) OR
ENG108First-Year Composition for ESL (3)6
 
Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L]Credits: 0-3**
Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area.3
Recommend selecting a course that satisfies ([L] and [SB]) or ([L] and [HU]) or ([L] and COM) or ([L] and CRE101) requirements simultaneously.
**0 credits only if shared with [HU] or [SB]
 
Mathematics [MA]Credits: 4-5
MAT220Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (5) OR
MAT221Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4) OR
Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. (4-5)4-5
 
Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area.6
 
Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] area.6
 
Natural Sciences [SG]/[SQ]Credits: 0
Met by BIO181++ and BIO182++ in the Required Courses area.
 
Subject OptionsCredits: 0
Met by CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, CHM235, CHM235LL, CHM236, CHM236LL, MAT230, and/or MAT231 in the Required Courses area.
 
Awareness AreasCredits: 0-6
These requirements may be shared with other AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.
 
Cultural Diversity in the US [C]Credits: 0-3
0-3
 
Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G]Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course with the Historical [H] or Global [G] awareness area designation.0-3
 
MCCCD Additional Requirements
MCCCD Additional RequirementsCredits: 0-6
Some courses in this area have [SB] and [L] designations and may also be applied to the corresponding AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.
 
Oral CommunicationCredits: 0-3
COM100Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR
COM110Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
COM225Public Speaking (3) OR
COM230Small Group Communication (3)0-3
 
Critical ReadingCredits: 0-3
CRE101College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0)0-3
Course Area Key
General Electives
Course #Course TitleCredits
Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.
For students intending to transfer to ASU to earn a BA or BS in Biochemistry, BIO201, BIO205, or BIO220 is recommended.
Recommended for Transfer Plan 2: Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Arts, Biochemistry
Completion of a language course at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) with a C or better OR demonstrating proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment.
ARB+++ Any ARB Arabic course(s)
ASL+++ Any ASL American Sign Language course(s)
CHI+++ Any CHI Chinese course(s)
FRE+++ Any FRE French course(s)
GER+++ Any GER German course(s)
ITA+++ Any ITA Italian course(s)
JPN+++ Any JPN Japanese course(s)

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.