Life Sciences (A.S.)

Study life sciences at JCC

Jamestown Community College’s Life Sciences associate degree is your first step to an advanced science degree. With a background in life sciences, you can pursue careers that support law and policy, research, engineering, laboratory analysis, and public health and welfare.

2023 median pay for life, physical, and social science occupations: $78,280/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Prepare for your field of study

When you major in a science field, your first two years of coursework are standard across schools and disciplines. In JCC’s program, you’ll complete all foundational courses needed to transfer for bachelor’s and graduate degrees in:

  • Biology and molecular biology
  • Chemistry
  • Dentistry
  • Environmental science and ecology
  • Medical technology
  • Pharmacy
  • Pre-med and pre-health
  • Veterinary medicine

Why start at JCC

  • JCC is nationally accredited through Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a member of the State University of New York. You can transfer to hundreds of colleges and universities for your next step.
  • Choose specialized science electives to explore your interests.
  • Learn from faculty who are experts in their field with real-world experiences.
  • Get individualized support with small class sizes and our 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
  • Develop your transfer and career pathway with your one-on-one faculty advisor.

Where to study at JCC

Life sciences skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis.
  • Analyze ethical dilemmas raised by science and technology, attempt to identify personal values that affect how one thinks about these dilemmas, and consider diverse perspectives in the process.
  • Demonstrate application of scientific data, concepts, and models in one of the natural sciences.
  • Demonstrate the ability to create, interpret, and analyze graphs and charts that communicate quantitative or relational information.
  • Show competence in the following quantitative reasoning skills and be able to:
  • Interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics.
  • Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally.
  • Use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric, and statistical methods to solve problems.
  • Estimate and check mathematical results for reasonableness, determine alternatives, and select optimal results.
  • Recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods.
  • Use computer (or other appropriate) technology to collect data; use computer (or other appropriate) technology to represent data; use computer (or other appropriate) technology to analyze data and/or to solve numerical or conceptual problems.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1570: Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology

4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Applied Learning
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

CHE 1550: College Chemistry I

4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

MAT 1590: College Algebra/Trigonometry (or higher)

4
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Diverse Perspectives
  • CHE 1550: corequisite course MAT 1590 (or higher) or eligibility for MAT 1600

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1580: Principles of Ecology & Evolution

4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

CHE 1560: College Chemistry II

4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Basic Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication

MAT 1600: Precalculus (or higher)

4
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • CHE 1560: corequisite course MAT 1600

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CHE 2530: Organic Chemistry I or

Choose a course from the program core electives listing*

 

4
SUNY
  • Math
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

BIO 2560: Genetics or

Choose a course from the program core electives listing*

4
SUNY
  • Math
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Program Core Elective

Choose a course from the program core electives listing*

3-4
SUNY
  • Math
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Social Science Elective

Any Gen Ed Social Science Elective

3
SUNY
  • Other World Civilizations
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences
  • Recommended program core electives are often required for 4-year biology degrees and are highly recommended program core electives for this degree.
  • * For graduation, students need a total of 19-20 program core elective credits. Please refer to catalog for appropriate courses and discuss options with advisor for your specific career pathway.
  • Gen Ed social science electives may cover JCC graduation requirements for Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences, Global Perspectives, and Cultural Understanding.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CHE 2540: Organic Chemistry II or

Choose a course from the program core electives listing*

4

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

BIO 2650: Ecology

Choose a course from the program core electives listing*

4

Elective

Choose a course from a SUNY Gen Ed category that has not yet been fulfilled

3
SUNY
  • American History
  • Arts
  • Foreign Languages
  • Western Civilization
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Global Perspectives

Elective

Choose a course from a SUNY Gen Ed category that has not yet been fulfilled

3
SUNY
  • American History
  • Arts
  • Foreign Languages
  • Western Civilization
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Global Perspectives
  • Recommended program core electives are often required for 4-year biology degrees and are highly recommended program core electives for this degree.
  • * For graduation, students need a total of 19-20 program core elective credits. Please refer to catalog for appropriate courses and discuss options with advisor for your specific career pathway.
  • To graduate with a SUNY degree, students must take courses from 7 of the 10 SUNY Gen Ed categories. Some courses count for more than 1 category in SUNY Gen Ed.