I'm in community college right now. If I want to transfer to a university after I complete 2 years at my community college there are two routes which one can take. You can either get an A.A. (associate in arts) and transfer or an A.S. (associate in science) and transfer. It seems obvious that if I want to pursue a science major such as biology or physics, I should complete the 2 years with an A.S. degree. But is it necessary? I'm asking because what if I get an A.S. with an emphasis on engineering, but when I get into university, I decide to change direction towards a biology degree? Does it really matter what specific A.S. degree I graduate with or is it that as long as I get an A.S. degree in something, I can choose whichever path I desire once i'm in university?
2007-03-12 15:39:27 · 4 answers · asked by World Expert 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Get the AS, usually they have the higher math background that any or all of your interest areas require.
Second, depending on the university, there are often requirments for Bachelor's of Science to have lab sciences that are outside the basic core area (like physics degrees requiring at least one life sciences course, etc.). So, picking the A.S. that integrates exactly with your eventual B.S. isn't as massively important unless the prerequisites for your major's courses are several semesters deep.
For example, I'm a Psych major taking a class called Biological Bases of Behavior who's prerequisites are a 300-level course in physiological psychology which requires a class in Psych research methods that requires a course in Psych statistics that requires Psych 101. That's 4 semesters of prerequisites, most at the lower division.
You'll probably find Physics and Engineering the same way.
So, what I'd suggest is taking the first two classes for General Biology, get to the highest level of Calculus you can, and add some general chemistry and you should have the basis to major in the others when you get to the University level. The chemistry classes are probably prerequisites for some Physics programs and most Biology programs plus the biology classes probably meet most university's non-major lab science requirements.
Once you narrow the field of potential end degrees down, talk to the advisors at the University first and see if they have a recommended set of courses for that major. Then concentrate on that.
The worst case scenario with this method is that you end up with something like a Physics degree with a Biology minor...
2007-03-13 03:20:56 · answer #1 · answered by Deathbunny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing what community college you're at or what college you plan on going to, it's a bit difficult to answer this, especially since community colleges differ so much wrt what they call an A.A. and an A.S. There should be advisers at your CC who can help you based on the specific circumstances; that's one of their specialties.
If the adviser is worthless, then you should talk to someone in admissions at the college you want to finish your degree at for advice. The rest of my answer assumes that person isn't helpful either.
If you switch from engineering to bio, you will almost certainly need to take some extra classes. You should choose your A.A. or A.S. classes in line with your planned major, since the classes you would take to prepare you for a bio major would be different from those for physics or engineering. If you don't do that carefully, you will get to the university and find you are missing some prerequisites and have to go an additional term or two.
2007-03-12 15:51:29 · answer #2 · answered by Prof 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get an A.S. It will help towards admission to a university's college of science or enginering etc. And it doesn't matter what you get A.S. (unless of course you already know what you want to do) they might get you to take a few extra classes if the need be, that's all.
2007-03-12 15:46:20 · answer #3 · answered by The Machine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Biology would be greater concentration for biomedical engineering... in spite of the indisputable fact that, physics is a needed first twelve months engineering direction for all engineers. subsequently it may well be effective which you will take the two physics and biology. i do no longer think of you may considerable in biomedical devoid of biology... physics maybe yet I doubt it ... good success
2016-10-02 00:54:41 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋