Harper College will be closed Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1 for Winter Break.
Major options 
Earn your Associate in Science degree and transfer to a four-year institution to study biological sciences. You’ll take core classes along with biology-focused courses in fundamentals of cellular and organismal biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and more. This program follows the Illinois Articulation Initiative biological sciences baccalaureate major recommendations.
Harper College is a great place to study biological sciences. You’ll take science classes in the new Avanté Center, which features modern classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories. Additionally, you can get experience outside the classroom by participating in the Environmental Club, Biology Club, Health Career/Pre-Med Club or one of many other extracurricular activities that are available to students.
This program is a convenient and affordable way to begin your college education. Academic advisors will help you choose courses that meet the specific requirements of the four-year college or university you plan to attend.
This sample transfer planning guide meets the requirements of the Associate in Science degree and follows the Illinois Articulation Initiative biological sciences baccalaureate major recommendations. Students should decide the specialization within the biological sciences major as early as possible, preferably by the beginning of the sophomore year. Students choosing to follow this sample plan need to choose the major of Associate in Science if needing financial aid. Transfer institution requirements may vary - students should check individual college/university requirements before completing the sample plan as outlined. Baccalaureate admission may be competitive. Completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission.
F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer course only
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 115 | Fundamentals of Cellular Biology F | 4 |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: Placement into college-level mathematics without support AND placement into ENG 101 (Composition I, IAI C1 900) mathplacement.php english-placement-grid.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| CHM 121 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
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Description: Studies principles of atomic and molecular structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, kinetic molecular theory, and solutions. Corresponding laboratory experiments include volumetric and gravimetric analyses, a qualitative study of reactions, visible spectrophotometry, and problem-based analyses. Intended for all students whose majors require general chemistry, including science majors and pre-professionals. The course also satisfies a general education laboratory science requirement for students with previous chemistry experience. IAI P1 902L, IAI CHM 911 Prerequisite: Two semesters of high school chemistry or CHM 110 with a grade of C or better AND placement into college-level mathematics without support. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 200 | Calculus I | 5 |
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Description: Studies limits, continuity, derivatives, antiderivatives, and definite integrals as they relate to algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions. Includes applications to geometry, science, and engineering. IAI M1 900-1, IAI MTH 901 Prerequisite: MTH 140 (Precalculus) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 116 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology S | 4 |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the spring term. Prerequisite: BIO 115 (Fundamentals of Cellular Biology, IAI L1 910L, IAI BIO910) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| CHM 122 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
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Description: Continues CHM 121 as the second semester of a general chemistry sequence intended for all students whose major requires a full year of general chemistry, including science majors and pre-professionals. Includes the principles of chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base reactions, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. Also introduces topics in organic, nuclear, transition metal, and descriptive chemistry. Laboratory includes experiments related to the lecture material. IAI CHM 912 Prerequisite: CHM 121 (General Chemistry I) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
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Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Major Discipline and Transfer Elective | 3 | |
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 204 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
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Description: Applies modern theories of electronic structures to the study of chemical and physical properties of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl halides. Students also study reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry as they apply to the above classes of organic compounds. Laboratory includes syntheses, qualitative organic analyses, IR and visible spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, HPLC, polarimetry, and refractometry. Intended primarily for science majors and pre-professionals. IAI CHM 913 Students should complete CHM204 and CHM205 at the same school since topics are covered in different order at different schools. Prerequisite: CHM 122 (General Chemistry II, IAI CHM 912) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | |
| MTH 225 | Business Statistics or | |
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Description: Focuses on the use of statistical concepts as decision-making tools with an emphasis on business-related applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, and inferential methods including chi-square tests, regression analysis, and ANOVA. This course is strongly recommended for business majors. You may not receive credit for more than one of MTH 225 OR MTH 165 OR MTH 162 OR MGT 225. (IAI M1 902/IAI BUS 901) Prerequisite: MTH 103 (College Algebra) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options (including meeting the Geometry requirement). mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 165 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
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Description: Focuses on statistical reasoning and the solving of problems using real-world data rather than on computational skills. The use of technology-based computations (more advanced than a basic scientific calculator, such as graphing calculators with a statistical package, spreadsheets, or statistical computing software) is required with an emphasis on interpretation and evaluation of statistical results. Topics must include data collection processes (observational studies, experimental design, sampling techniques, bias), descriptive methods using quantitative and qualitative data, bivariate data, correlation, and least squares regression, basic probability theory, probability distributions (normal distributions and normal curve, binomial distribution), confidence intervals and hypothesis tests using p-values. (Credit will be given for either MTH 162 or MTH 165 or MTH 225, but not for more than one of these courses.) IAI M1 902 Prerequisite: Placement into college-level mathematics without support. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Social and Behavioral Science2 | 3 | |
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 205 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
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Description: Continues CHM 204 with further study of nomenclature, stereochemistry, reactions, and mechanisms of the following functional groups: conjugated dienes, aromatics, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and nitrogen containing compounds. Laboratory includes syntheses, qualitative organic analyses, NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, HPLC, polarimetry, and refractometry. Intended primarily for science majors and pre-professionals. IAI CHM 914 Students should complete CHM204 and CHM205 at the same school since topics are covered in different order at different schools. Prerequisite: CHM 204 (Organic Chemistry I, IAI CHM 913) with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science2 | 3 | |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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1 - Select at least one course from Humanities and one from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses may count in either category. Refer to the Associate in Science degree for approved courses in this category. One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or from Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement for the Associate in Science degree.
2 - One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or from Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement for the Associate in Science degree.
For more information about Biological Sciences, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.