General Science
Overview
This program provides a broad study in the fields of biological and physical sciences in preparation for transfer to a four-year program and continuation of studies in upper division science courses.
Roadmaps
Roadmaps lay out all of the courses you need to take for a given degree or certificate.
A.A./A.S. Degrees
- Dean Joel Keebler
- HomeBase STEM HomeBase
- Phone (916) 484-8107
- Email ARC-8107@losrios.edu
Associate Degree
A.S. in General Science
This program provides a broad study in the fields of biological and physical sciences in preparation for transfer to a four-year program and continuation of studies in upper division science courses.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2026
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum of 18 units from the following: | 181 | |
| Physical Science Courses | ||
| ASTR C1001 | Introduction to Astronomy (3) | |
| ASTR 310 | The Solar System (3) | |
| ASTR 320 | Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology (3) | |
| ASTR 330 | Introduction to Astrobiology (3) | |
| ASTR C1001L | Introduction to Astronomy Lab (1) | |
| ASTR 481 | Honors Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology (4) | |
| ASTR 495 | Independent Studies in Astronomy (1 - 3) | |
| ASTR 499 | Experimental Offering in Astronomy (0.5 - 4) | |
| CHEM 305 | Introduction to Chemistry (5) | |
| CHEM 306 | Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (5) | |
| CHEM 309 | Integrated General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry (5) | |
| CHEM 310 | Chemical Calculations (4) | |
| CHEM 338 | Chemistry In Your World (3) | |
| CHEM 400 | General Chemistry I (5) | |
| CHEM 401 | General Chemistry II (5) | |
| CHEM 420 | Organic Chemistry I (5) | |
| CHEM 421 | Organic Chemistry II (5) | |
| CHEM 423 | Organic Chemistry - Short Survey (5) | |
| CHEM 495 | Independent Studies in Chemistry (1 - 3) | |
| CHEM 499 | Experimental Offering in Chemistry (0.5 - 4) | |
| GEOG 300 | Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems (3) | |
| GEOG 301 | Physical Geography Laboratory (1) | |
| GEOG 305 | Global Climate Change (3) | |
| GEOG 306 | Weather and Climate (3) | |
| GEOG 307 | Environmental Hazards and Natural Disasters (3) | |
| GEOG 308 | Introduction to Oceanography (3) | |
| GEOG 309 | Introduction to Oceanography Lab (1) | |
| GEOG 391 | Field Studies in Geography: Mountain Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOG 392 | Field Studies in Geography: Coastal Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOG 393 | Field Studies in Geography: Arid Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOG 394 | Field Studies in Geography: Volcanic Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOG 495 | Independent Studies in Geography (1 - 3) | |
| GEOG 499 | Experimental Offering in Geography (0.5 - 4) | |
| GEOL 300 | Physical Geology (3) | |
| GEOL 301 | Physical Geology Laboratory (1) | |
| GEOL 305 | Earth Science (3) | |
| GEOL 306 | Earth Science Laboratory (1) | |
| GEOL 310 | Historical Geology (3) | |
| GEOL 311 | Historical Geology Laboratory (1) | |
| GEOL 320 | Global Climate Change (3) | |
| GEOL 325 | Environmental Hazards and Natural Disasters (3) | |
| GEOL 330 | Introduction to Oceanography (3) | |
| GEOL 331 | Introduction to Oceanography Lab (1) | |
| GEOL 345 | Geology of California (3) | |
| GEOL 392 | Field Studies in Mountain Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOL 393 | Field Studies in Coastal Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOL 394 | Field Studies in Volcanic Landscapes (1 - 4) | |
| GEOL 495 | Independent Studies in Geology (1 - 3) | |
| GEOL 499 | Experimental Offering in Geology (0.5 - 4) | |
| PHYS 310 | Conceptual Physics (3) | |
| PHYS 311 | Basic Physics (3) | |
| PHYS 312 | Conceptual Physics Laboratory (1) | |
| PHYS 350 | General Physics (4) | |
| PHYS 360 | General Physics (4) | |
| PHYS 410 | Mechanics of Solids and Fluids (5) | |
| PHYS 421 | Electricity and Magnetism (4) | |
| PHYS 431 | Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics (4) | |
| PHYS 495 | Independent Studies in Physics (1 - 3) | |
| PHYS 499 | Experimental Offering in Physics (0.5 - 4) | |
| Biological Science Courses | ||
| ANTH 300 | Biological Anthropology (3) | |
| ANTH 301 | Biological Anthropology Laboratory (1) | |
| ANTH 303 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3) | |
| ANTH 370 | Primatology (3) | |
| ANTH 480 | Honors Biological Anthropology (3) | |
| ANTH 495 | Independent Studies in Anthropology (1 - 3) | |
| ANTH 499 | Experimental Offering in Anthropology (0.5 - 4) | |
| BIOL 300 | The Foundations of Biology (3) | |
| BIOL 301 | Evolution (3) | |
| BIOL C1000 | Introduction to Biology with Lab (4) | |
| BIOL 304 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) | |
| BIOL 305 | Natural History (4) | |
| BIOL 310 | General Biology (4) | |
| BIOL 322 | Ethnobotany (3) | |
| BIOL 332 | Introduction to Ornithology (4) | |
| BIOL 342 | The New Plagues: New and Ancient Infectious Diseases Threatening World Health (3) | |
| BIOL 352 | Conservation Biology (3) | |
| BIOL 370 | Marine Biology (4) | |
| BIOL 375 | Marine Ecology (3) | |
| BIOL 390 | Natural History Field Study (0.5 - 4) | |
| BIOL 400 | Principles of Biology (5) | |
| BIOL 410 | Principles of Botany (5) | |
| BIOL 415 | Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity, Evolution, and Ecology (5) | |
| BIOL 420 | Principles of Zoology (5) | |
| BIOL 430 | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| BIOL 431 | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| BIOL 440 | General Microbiology (4) | |
| BIOL 442 | General Microbiology and Public Health (5) | |
| BIOL 482 | Honors Marine Biology (4) | |
| BIOL 495 | Independent Studies in Biology (1 - 3) | |
| BIOL 499 | Experimental Offering in Biology (0.5 - 4) | |
| BIOT 301 | Biotechnology and Human Health (3) | |
| BIOT 305 | Introduction to Bioinformatics (1) | |
| BIOT 307 | Biotechnology and Society (2) | |
| BIOT 311 | Biotechnology Laboratory Methods - Molecular Techniques (2) | |
| BIOT 312 | Biotechnology Laboratory Methods - Microbial and Cell Culture Techniques (2) | |
| BIOT 499 | Experimental Offering in Biology (0.5 - 4) | |
| NATR 300 | Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation and Policy (4) | |
| NATR 301 | Introduction to Ornithology (4) | |
| NATR 302 | Introduction to Wildlife Biology (4) | |
| NATR 303 | Energy and Sustainability (3) | |
| NATR 304 | The Forest Environment (3) | |
| NATR 305 | Fisheries Ecology and Management (4) | |
| NATR 306 | Introduction to Rangeland Ecology and Management (4) | |
| NATR 307 | Principles of Sustainability (4) | |
| NATR 310 | Study Design and Field Methods (4) | |
| NATR 320 | Principles of Ecology (4) | |
| NATR 322 | Environmental Restoration (3) | |
| NATR 324 | Field Studies: Birds and Plants of the High Sierra (2) | |
| NATR 330 | Native Trees and Shrubs of California (4) | |
| NATR 332 | Wildflowers of California (4) | |
| NATR 346 | Water Resources and Conservation (3) | |
| NATR 495 | Independent Studies in Natural Resources (1 - 3) | |
| NATR 499 | Experimental Offering in Natural Resources (0.5 - 4) | |
| PSYC 310 | Biological Psychology (3) | |
| PSYC 311 | Biological Psychology Laboratory (1) | |
| Total Units: | 18 | |
1must be transfer-level and must include one laboratory course in a physical science and one laboratory course in a biological science
The General Science Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- evaluate new and accepted ideas about the natural universe using scientific methods.
- analyze a wide variety of natural phenomena using basic definitions and fundamental theories of biological or physical sciences.
- apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to interpret and analyze pertinent data.
- outline the basic concepts and fundamental theories of a natural science.
- articulate orally and/or in writing the importance of continuous examination and modification of accepted ideas as a fundamental element in the progress of science.
- discuss ethical components of scientific decision making and apply personal and social values within the process of decision making in scientific endeavors.
General Science (GENSCI) Courses
GENSCI 90 Science Skills and Strategies I
- Units:0.5
- Hours:27 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:Current enrollment in a science, nutrition, or nursing course.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course offers individualized instructional modules designed to acquire or improve study strategies and skills for various science, nursing, or nutrition courses. Students learn and apply skills and strategies, such as science textbook comprehension, principles of learning and retention, note taking, annotating, discipline-based vocabulary, paraphrasing, reading graphics, test taking, scientific writing, and problem solving. This course is offered in a flexible To Be Arranged (TBA) format, allowing students to complete 27 laboratory hours on a schedule that works best for them. Students will arrange times that meet course requirements while accommodating individual availability. Registration is open through the tenth week of the semester. Pass/No Pass only.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply the preview strategy to current science course text chapters.
- construct paraphrases for concepts presented in current science course textbooks or in their class notes.
- prepare notes for their current science class and review these notes based on the Student Learning Outcomes for the current science course.
- interpret various types of graphs and diagrams from their current science course.
- create concept maps to demonstrate relationships between ideas presented in their current science course.
- assess various test taking strategies appropriate for their current science course.
- demonstrate active reading skills with their current science course textbook.
- write summaries and conclusions in the appropriate science discipline format.
GENSCI 91 Science Skills and Strategies II
- Units:0.5
- Hours:27 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:Current enrollment in a science, nutrition, or nursing course.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course offers individualized instructional modules designed to acquire or improve study strategies for science, nursing, or nutrition courses. Students learn and apply skills and strategies, such as goal setting, the intensive study cycle, graphic organizers, constructing and interpreting graphs, mastering science vocabulary, self-monitoring while reading, coding method of reading, and advanced problem solving. This course is offered in a flexible To Be Arranged (TBA) format, allowing students to complete 27 laboratory hours on a schedule that works best for them. Students will arrange times that meet course requirements while accommodating individual availability. Pass/No Pass only.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- develop short- and long-term goals and assess progress in reaching these goals.
- refine time management techniques and apply new techniques for avoiding procrastination.
- analyze vocabulary development strategies and apply pertinent ones to science courses.
- choose and apply the appropriate problem-solving strategies for science courses.
- construct and interpret various graphs of scientific data.
- apply active reading strategies in science texts.
- create content-based graphic organizers to facilitate understanding of complex topics.
- utilize the strategies of intensive study cycles.
- assess performance on science course exams in order to modify study strategies.
- write paraphrased reviews, summaries, and conclusions in the appropriate science discipline format.
GENSCI 299 Experimental Offering in General Science
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
GENSCI 499 Experimental Offering in General Science
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
Faculty
The Science Success Center
offers individualized instruction in reading and study skills geared to support students' efforts in various science classes.
