Associate in Science Degree–60 Credit
Hours Curriculum Code 1330
The A.S. degree requirements are recommended for students planning to pursue a degree such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics or Technology.
The General Education courses required for the A.S. degree are approved by the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI); however, the structure of the A.S. does not meet the minimum IAI General Education Core Requirements. Students will need to complete the general education requirements of the school to which they transfer. Students interested in a science or math major at a four-year school should consult both a Moraine Valley academic advisor and the catalog of their transfer school for appropriate requirements.
Enrollment in some courses requires completion of a prerequisite. See course description for complete prerequisite information.
This program is for students who plan to major in a science related discipline such as biology, chemistry, computer science, dentistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, medicine, medical technology, nursing, pharmacology, occupational and physical therapy, physics and veterinary medicine.
Summary of Credit Hours Required
- General Education Core Curriculum: 31 credit hours
- Communication (9)
- Mathematics (3)
- Physical and Life Sciences (7)
- Humanities and Fine Arts (6)
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (6)
- Additional Degree Requirements: 6 credit hours
- Baccalaureate Major/Minor and Elective Courses: 23 credit hours
Total A.S. Degree: 60 credit hours
Note: The General Education courses required are approved by the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI); however, the structure of the A.S. does not meet the minimum IAI General Education Core Requirements. Students will need to complete the general education requirements of the school to which they transfer.
Requirements
A. General Education Core Curriculum—31 credit hours
The general education core curriculum constitutes that part of an undergraduate education that develops breadth of knowledge and the expressive skills essential to more complex and in-depth learning throughout life. To develop breadth of knowledge, general education courses acquaint students with the methods of inquiry of the various academic disciplines and the different ways these disciplines view the world. The academic disciplines comprising the general education curriculum are the physical and life sciences, the humanities and fine arts, the social and behavioral sciences, and interdisciplinary combinations of these. To develop expressive skills, the general education curriculum requires courses that enhance written and oral communication and quantitative reasoning skills.
The foundation skills of communication (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), critical thinking and analysis/synthesis, quantification, and the use of resources (including technology and the library) are to be embedded in every general education course (adapted from Illinois Articulation Initiative, 2000).
B. Additional Degree Requirements—6 credit hours (minimum)
Associate in Science Degree
Select three credit hours (minimum) from college-level MTH courses excluding MTH-102 Mathematics for Paraprofessionals, MTH-108 Mathematics for Career Programs, and MTH-109 Math for Allied Health .
Select three credit hours (minimum) from AST, BIO, CHM, EAS, GEL, NAT, PHS, or PHY prefixes.
C. Baccalaureate Major/Minor Field and Elective Courses—23 credit hours
Includes lower-division coursework in a student’s major and minor fields, additional hours from the above areas and other college credit courses. Detailed information for many colleges is located online on the transfer webpage under Transfer Guides. It is recommended to consult the catalog of the transfer college or to reach out to the transfer representative at that institution. Periodic consultation with an academic advisor is strongly recommended.
