Bioinformatics (A.S.) (Athens State)

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Natural Science
Associate of Science Degree

Bioinformatics A.S. (Athens State)

The Bioinformatics A.S. is a 2+2 program with Athens State University. The 2+2 program of study leads to the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, Bioinformatics Emphasis, from Motlow State Community College (MSCC) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology – Bioinformatics Option from Athens State University.

Students will be broadly educated in the supporting academic disciplines that contribute to bioinformatics by developing a solid foundation in the principles of computing and biology with additional coursework in mathematics, chemistry, and advanced courses in computing and biology.

Practical Experience

You will be introduced to the following:

Critical thinking
In-depth research and analysis
Interaction with students and instructors
Exposure to fascinating coursework, lectures, and classroom interaction

Career Opportunities

Our Associate of Science Degree in Bioinformatics qualifies you for transfer into the 2+2 program with Athens State University. Completion of a four-year baccalaureate program prepares you for further study toward a master’s degree or higher. Students who hold a higher degree could anticipate a career in any one of the following areas:

Hospital research
Pharmaceutical data
Data scientist
Computational biology

GENERAL EDUCATION (41-42 credit hours)

Communications (9 credit hours)

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II 3 sem hrs cr
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 sem hrs cr

Humanities/Fine Arts (9 credit hours)

One of the following:
THEA 1030 - Introduction to Theatre 3 sem hrs cr
MUS 1030 - Introduction to Music 3 sem hrs cr
And one of the following Art courses:
ART 1035 - Introduction to Art 3 sem hrs cr
ART 2000 - Art History Survey I 3 sem hrs cr
ART 2020 - Art History Survey II 3 sem hrs cr
And one of the following Literature courses:
ENGL 2045 - Introduction to Literature 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 2130 - Topics in American Literature 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 2235 - Topics in British Literature 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 2310 - Early World Literature 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 2320 - Modern World Literature 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 2330 - Topics in World Literature 3 sem hrs cr

Social/Behavior Sciences (6 Credit Hours)

TWO OF THE FOLLOWING:
ANTH 1100 - Introduction to Anthropology 3 sem hrs cr
ECON 2100 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 sem hrs cr
ECON 2200 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 sem hrs cr
GEOG 2010 - World Regional Geography 3 sem hrs cr
POLS 1030 - American Government 3 sem hrs cr
POLS 2025 - State and Local Government 3 sem hrs cr
PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology 3 sem hrs cr
SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology 3 sem hrs cr
SOCI 1040 - Social Problems 3 sem hrs cr
SOCI 2010 - Marriage and Family 3 sem hrs cr

History (6 credit hours)

OPTION 1:
HIST 2010 - Early United States History 3 sem hrs cr
HIST 2020 - Modern United States History 3 sem hrs cr
OR
OPTION 2:
HIST 2310 - Early World History 3 sem hrs cr
HIST 2320 - Modern World History 3 sem hrs cr

Natural Science (8 credit hours)

BIOL 1110 - General Biology I 4 sem hrs cr
BIOL 1120 - General Biology II 4 sem hrs cr

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics 3 sem hrs cr

AREA OF EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS (20-21 credit hours)

CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I 4 sem hrs cr
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II 4 sem hrs cr
CISP 1010 - Computer Science I 4 sem hrs cr
CISP 1020 - Computer Science II 4 sem hrs cr (see notes about CISP 1010/1020 below)
IDS 2010 - Applied Biotechnology 1 sem hr cr
MATH 1710 - Precalculus Algebra 3 sem hrs cr OR HIGHER

Area of Emphasis Notes for Transferring Students

Organic Chemistry I must be taken at Athens State.
A placement test for CISP 1010 and CISP 1020 can be taken at Athens at no charge.

Semester Hours Credit: 61-62*

*All bioinformatics majors who are required to take Learning Support must also complete MSCC 1300 - First-Year Experience .

Recommended Full-Time Schedule (Fall or Spring Start)

The following is a recommended full-time schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites, and other academic factors may impact this schedule. See your advisor to create a degree plan.

GPS (Graduation Planning System), along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning. Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the GPS audit, which is accessible through MyMotlow.

Semester One (16 credit hours)

BIOL 1110 - General Biology I 4 sem hrs cr
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I 3 sem hrs cr
HIST 2010 - Early United States History 3 sem hrs cr
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics 3 sem hrs cr
PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology 3 sem hrs cr

Semester Two (16 credit hours)

BIOL 1120 - General Biology II 4 sem hrs cr
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 sem hrs cr
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II 3 sem hrs cr
HIST 2020 - Modern United States History 3 sem hrs cr
MATH 1710 - Precalculus Algebra 3 sem hrs cr

Semester Three (14 credit hours)

ART 1035 - Introduction to Art 3 sem hrs cr OR MUS 1030 - Introduction to Music OR THEA 1030 - Introduction to Theatre
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I 4 sem hrs cr
CISP 1010 - Computer Science I 4 sem hrs cr
ENGL 2130 - Topics in American Literature 3 sem hrs cr

Semester Four (15 Credit Hours)

ART 1035 - Introduction to Art 3 sem hrs cr OR MUS 1030 - Introduction to Music OR THEA 1030 - Introduction to Theatre
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II 4 sem hrs cr
CISP 1020 - Computer Science II 4 sem hrs cr
IDS 2010 - Applied Biotechnology 1 sem hr cr
SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology 3 sem hrs cr

Recommended Part-Time Schedule (Fall and Spring Start)

The following is a recommended part-time schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites, and other academic factors may impact this schedule. See your advisor to create a degree plan.