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Apr 04, 2025
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2025-2026 College Catalog
Associate in Science Degree, A.S.
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Program Code: N.ASG.AS
Graduation requirement: 60 credit hours
The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is designed to facilitate the transfer of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (commonly known as STEM) disciplines into four-year institutions to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. It replicates as closely as possible the lower division (freshman and sophomore) coursework required of students in their chosen STEM field of study.
The A.S. degree includes the transferable General Education Core Curriculum courses and the lower-division Baccalaureate Major Field core courses recommended by the Illinois Articulation Initiative. All course work must be baccalaureate-oriented (courses numbered 100-289 whose second digit is even).
Students should note that the A.S. degree requires only 32 hours of general education coursework and does not fully satisfy the IAI General Education Core Curriculum requirements. Two additional courses to complete the general education requirements may be taken after transferring. The A.S. degree is so designed to enable students to take more university majors-required coursework in the first two years thereby achieving junior status upon transferring. At the same time, it permits STEM students to complete the associate’s degree prior to transferring.
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Graduation Requirements for the Associate in Science Degree
General Education Core Courses: 32 credit hours
Note: One course taken in Humanities, Fine Arts, or Social/Behavioral Sciences must be a Non-Western culture course. Communications: 3 courses (9 credit hours) Take all three: Social/Behavioral Sciences: 2 courses (6 credit hours) - Take courses from two different subjects.
- Choose from the
Humanities and Fine Arts: 2 courses (6 credit hours) - Take one course from Humanities and one course from Fine Arts.
- Choose from the
Mathematics: 1 course (3 credit hours) Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (8 credit hours) - Take one course from Physical Sciences and one course from Life Sciences. Or, take both of the Interdisciplinary Physical/Life Sciences courses.
- Choose from the
Additional Math and Science Courses: 6 credit hours
Take the following: - one additional mathematics course (MAT)
- one additional physical or life sciences course (AST, BIO, CHE, ESC, PHY, or SCI)
Any transfer-focused course in these subjects will meet the requirements, even if it is not on the GECC list above. Transfer-focused courses have an even middle number, such as BIO 100 or MAT 124. General Elective Courses: 22 credit hours
Choose general elective courses to meet the 60 credit hour graduation requirement. General electives include any transfer-focused courses (courses with an even middle number, such as MGT 101 or ART 121). Students should work with their advisor to choose electives that match their interests and transfer plans. Some four-year universities prefer transfer students to complete specific coursework. Contact the Academic Advising office for assistance with course planning. |
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