Biology Transfer Major
Start your Biology career at Iowa Lakes! Gain the skills and knowledge necessary for one of many exciting career fields relating to biology, such as forensics, conservation, healthcare, pharmaceutical sales, teaching, and more.
Earn your Associate in Science (AS) degree in Biology before transferring on to a regent university (University of Iowa, Iowa State or University of Northern Iowa) to complete your Bachelor of Science degree. Completion of the AS degree at Iowa Lakes will satisfy the required general education prerequisites at the regent of your choosing. Feel confident with having completed biology and chemistry with labs, as well as calculus, before even graduating from Iowa Lakes.
By earning this degree, you’ll have met the general course requirements for a specific major of a four-year institution and a transfer major recorded on your transcripts from Iowa Lakes. Requirements may vary among institutions so students should work with an advisor to become familiar with specific requirements of the institution which they plan to transfer.
To earn a Transfer Major Degree, a student must complete all required coursework of that specific major and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
A Biology Transfer Major provides you with the opportunity to complete two years of your bachelor’s degree at Iowa Lakes. You have a goal … we have the plan. APPLY TODAY
Students who plan to complete their general AA or AS and have a TRANSFER OPTION should contact the college or university to which they plan to transfer to assure that that core courses they take will transfer into their planned major.
Faculty Contact
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Brian Bristow Professor | Science 712-362-7989 | bbristow@iowalakes.educreate new email |

Program Details
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Curriculum
Term 1
BIO 112 – General Biology I
Introduction to biology concepts with emphasis on ecology, cellular biology, reproduction and development, genetics and evolution. Lecture and laboratory.
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET,COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
MAT 211 – Calculus I
A general course in differential and integral calculus and its applications. Topics include limits and continuity; differentiation; application of differentiation; integration; logarithmic, exponential and other transcendental functions; and applications of integration.
Prerequisites: MAT 127 – College Algebra and Trig or equivalent
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Term 2
BIO 113 – General Biology II
Introduction to biology concepts with emphasis on kingdoms; taxonomy and a survey of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms; plant structures and physiology; and animal systems. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIO 112 – General Biology I
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose either SPC 101, SPC 112 or SPC 122
Social Science: 3 credits
Humanities: 3 credits
Term 3
CHM 166 – General Chemistry I
The properties of matter in terms of modern chemical principles. The topics covered are measurements, stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical reactions, periodic relationships, gas laws, thermochemistry, quantum theory, solutions and equilibrium and inter-and intra-molecular forces. Problem solving in each of the areas is included. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: High school chemistry and mathematics
Term 4
CHM 176 – General Chemistry II
This course is an introduction to organic chemistry, and covers: acids and bases, oxidation/reduction, solubility products, and nuclear chemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, coordination complexes, qualitative analysis. Problem solving in each of the areas is included. Microscale and semi-microscale labs are also included.
Prerequisites: CHM 166 – General Chemistry I