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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

Details iconImportant 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
60-64
Catalog Year
2021-2022
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
Effective term
Fall 2021
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:

  1. 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.
  2. Utilize basic laboratory techniques and technology in both chemistry and biology to apply the scientific inquiry to the processes of experimentation and hypothesis testing.
  3. Adhere to standard safety protocols when performing experiments and collecting data.
  4. Critically evaluate primary scientific research.
  5. Apply and effectively communicate scientific reasoning and data analysis in both written and oral forums.
  6. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior appropriate to scientific research.
  7. Collaborate with other scientists, including people of diverse backgrounds.
  8. Integrate social and ethical responsibility in decision making and actions.
  9. 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

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

$89,600

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

$38,500

Chemical Technicians

$40,300

Chemists

$65,030

Forensic Science Technicians

$58,830

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

$85,050

* 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 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 Critical course Gateway course SQ 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 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) Critical course SQ 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA 4–5
PHY111 General Physics I SQ 4
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL 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 4
PHY112 General Physics II SQ 4
BIO181 or
BIO181XT		 General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I 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 4
BIO182 or
BIO182XT		 General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II SG 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication 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
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
(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 Critical course Gateway course SQ 4–5
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Critical course MA 4–5

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA 4–5
CHM152AA or
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL)		 General Chemistry II or (General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) Critical course SQ 4

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO181 or
BIO181XT		 General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I Subject Option SQ 4
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
BIO182 or
BIO182XT		 General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II SG 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

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 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication 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 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 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 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 (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=165706).

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.

Other Versions

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. Other versions of this pathway map from different catalog years are available below:

Catalog YearEffective Dates
2020-20215/26/2020 – 7/31/2021