Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biochemistry | South Mountain Community College

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

Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Type

Associate Degree

Academic Plan

Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biochemistry (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8610

Total Credits Required

Catalog Year

2020-2021

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

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

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.
Utilize basic laboratory techniques and technology in both chemistry and biology to apply the scientific inquiry to the processes of experimentation and hypothesis testing.
Adhere to standard safety protocols when performing experiments and collecting data.
Critically evaluate primary scientific research.
Apply and effectively communicate scientific reasoning and data analysis in both written and oral forums.
Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior appropriate to scientific research.
Collaborate with other scientists, including people of diverse backgrounds.
Integrate social and ethical responsibility in decision making and actions.
Serve the community by assisting in the care of underserved populations.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Biochemists and Biophysicists

$88,400 Show expanded career information for Biochemists and Biophysicists

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

$38,500 Show expanded career information for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Chemical Technicians

$40,300 Show expanded career information for Chemical Technicians

Chemists

$65,030 Show expanded career information for Chemists

Engineers, All Other

$100,680 Show expanded career information for Engineers, All Other

Forensic Science Technicians

$58,830 Show expanded career information for Forensic Science Technicians

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

$85,050 Show expanded career information for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2019.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include AAA/CPD150, AAA/CPD150AC, CPD104, and AAA115/CPD115. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
(CHM150 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM151AA	(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151 or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr high school chemistry taken in last 5 yrs] and (C or better in MAT151 or higher level math course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of Instructor/Departmnt/Division Chair and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151 or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.	Critical course Gateway course	SQ	4–5
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).		FYC	3
MAT220 or MAT221	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT182 and MAT15+), or MAT187, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT182 and MAT15+), or MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.	Critical course	MA	4–5
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
AAA/CPD115 or AAA/CPD150 or AAA/CPD150AC or CPD104	Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success or Educational and Career Planning or Career and Personal Development				0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CHM152AA or (CHM152 and CHM152LL)	General Chemistry II or (General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory)	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM152 or Corequisites: CHM152.	Critical course	SQ	4
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).		L	0–3
MAT230 or MAT231	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.		MA	4–5
PHY111	General Physics I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT182 or MAT187 or MAT220 or MAT221 or eligibility for MAT220 as indicated by appropriate placement or one year high school Trigonometry with a grade of C or better or permission of Department or Division.		SQ	4
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CHM235 and CHM235LL	General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CHM152 and CHM152LL), or CHM152AA, or (CHM154 and CHM154LL), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM235 or Corequisites: CHM235. Completion of prerequisites within the last two years recommended.			4
PHY112	General Physics II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PHY111.		SQ	4
BIO181	General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Subject Option	SQ	4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CHM236 and CHM236LL	General Organic Chemistry IIA and General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM235 and CHM235LL, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM236 or Corequisites: CHM236. Completion of prerequisites within the last two years recommended.			4
BIO182	General Biology (Majors) II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181 or BIO181XT.		SG	4
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM Requirement, Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultanesoulsy	SB or L	0–3
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously.	L	3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT220 or MAT221	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT182 and MAT15+), or MAT187, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT182 and MAT15+), or MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.	Critical course	MA	4–5
BIO181	General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Subject Option	SQ	4
AAA/CPD115 or AAA/CPD150 or AAA/CPD150AC or CPD104	Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success or Educational and Career Planning or Career and Personal Development				0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
(CHM150 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM151AA	(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151 or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr high school chemistry taken in last 5 yrs] and (C or better in MAT151 or higher level math course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of Instructor/Departmnt/Division Chair and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151 or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.	Critical course Gateway course	SQ	4–5
MAT230 or MAT231	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.		MA	4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CHM152AA or (CHM152 and CHM152LL)	General Chemistry II or (General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory)	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM152 or Corequisites: CHM152.	Critical course	SQ	4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).		FYC	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.	FYC	3
BIO182	General Biology (Majors) II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181 or BIO181XT.	SG	4
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG100LL or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113)] or a grade of B or better in ALT100 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	L	3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CHM235 and CHM235LL	General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CHM152 and CHM152LL), or CHM152AA, or (CHM154 and CHM154LL), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM235 or Corequisites: CHM235. Completion of prerequisites within the last two years recommended.			4
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM Requirement, Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultanesoulsy	SB or L	0–3
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CHM236 and CHM236LL	General Organic Chemistry IIA and General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM235 and CHM235LL, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM236 or Corequisites: CHM236. Completion of prerequisites within the last two years recommended.			4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PHY111	General Physics I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT182 or MAT187 or MAT220 or MAT221 or eligibility for MAT220 as indicated by appropriate placement or one year high school Trigonometry with a grade of C or better or permission of Department or Division.		SQ	4
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PHY112	General Physics II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PHY111.		SQ	4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously.	L	3

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

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

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Associate in Science in Associate in Science, Emphasis in Biochemistry (http://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=147536).

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.