Nov 22, 2024  
2024-2025 WNCC College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 WNCC College Catalog

Life Sciences & Natural Resources, Agriculture (Pre) Emphasis Area, AS

Location(s): Alliance, Scottsbluff, Sidney


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The emphasis areas in the life sciences and natural resources provide students with comprehensive coverage of the natural world. These courses of study are designed to meet the needs of those wishing to gain technical knowledge for entry into the many related areas within the field of biology as well as those seeking a more specific focus of forestry or wildlife management.

Program Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the mastery of course work considered fundamental to the training of a biologist. Required competencies may include the accumulation of knowledge in general biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, physiology, ecology, genetics, and evolution.
  • Research program requirements at transfer institutions and implement into the planning of their programs, courses and activities appropriate for transfer to four-year institutions to continue their chosen field of study.
  • Demonstrate the ability to transfer into equivalent program at a four-year institution specifically for continuation and study of a chosen field.
  • Use knowledge of basic biological principles to summarize and support a critical analysis of current scientific advances (primary literature and popular accounts), legislative issues, environmental issues, biotechnological advances, and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary social and ethical issues related to biology and the professional responsibilities of a biologist.
  • Understand the relationship between science and other subject areas, including interdisciplinary approaches to global issues and the relationship of core concepts from chemistry, mathematics, and other disciplines to life science concepts.
  • Demonstrate the ability to find, read, and critically evaluate appropriate scientific literature and resources.
  • Function successfully within laboratory and field settings, including use of basic equipment (microscopes, measurements devices, and computer technologies); developing and utilizing appropriate safety protocols; and putting into practice conceptual understandings of the research process illustrated by the scientific method.
  • Utilize a variety of skills to communicate scientific information effectively, including gathering of data/information; oral and written communication skills clarifying concepts and confirming understandings; and utilization of computer resources including computer presentation.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the College’s general education requirements for the Associate of Science degree.

NOTES:

  • Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university should consult their faculty and transfer advisor early in their WNCC career to determine a curriculum best suited to their transfer goals.
  • Dependent upon the choice of electives, it is possible that the total credits earned for the AS degree will exceed 60 credits.
  • Students should be aware that the courses included in the core requirements and recommended electives will be required by receiving institutions at some point in their journey to the bachelor’s degree.

Program Requirements


AS General Education Core: 33 Credits


View listing of General Education Courses.  

  • Written Communication Credits: 6
  • Oral Communication Credits: 3
  • Humanities Credits: 3
  • Math Credits: 3 *
  • Lab Science Credits: 4 *
  • Personal Development Credits: 3
  • Social Science Credits: 3

* A total of 15-16 combined math/science credits are the minimum requirement for an AS degree. This must include a minimum of three (3) credits of math and four (4) credits of science from BIOS, CHEM, or PHYS options.

Note: Some general education requirements may be satisfied by program requirements. Please consult with an advisor for details

Life Sciences/Natural Resources Core Courses: 26 Credits


Emphasis Area Requirements or Electives: 19 Credits


Recommended electives or courses required for transfer:

Total AS Requirements: 60 Credits


Agriculture (Pre) Emphasis Area


AS.0100 (60 credits)

The pre-agricultural emphasis area is designed to provide the student with a course of study that allows them the opportunity to 1) complete an Associate of Science (AS) degree at WNCC and 2) the first two years of coursework for articulation with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln toward a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS).

The bachelor’s-level courses through UNL are offered both on the main WNCC campus and online. This allows students in the Panhandle an opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree program at home.

Notes:

  • UNL equivalent course numbers appear in parentheses below.
  • Students who plan to transfer to UNL should consult their faculty advisor and transfer advisor early in their WNCC career to determine their curriculum. Careful consideration should be given the course requirements of the Applied Science program at UNL to which the student is seeking admission. The following will serve as a guide to for those students:
    • UNL requires additional ACE electives. These can be taken through UNL as soon as students apply and are accepted for admission to UNL. These can also be taken while at WNCC. Courses offered at WNCC that satisfy the UNL ACE 9 requirement are HIST-2100  (HIST-120), HIST-2110  (HIST-121), and POLS-1600  (POLS-160).
    • Students who intend to transfer to UNL are encouraged to apply for admission early in their program. ACE elective classes can be taken through UNL during their time at WNCC to lessen the credit load in the fourth semester and additionally guarantee maximum credit transfer.

Program Requirements

In addition to the general education requirements for the AS degree, 26 credits of core courses are required for the pre-agriculture emphasis area. A total of 60 credits are required for the Associate of Science degree in this emphasis area.

AS General Education Core 33 Credits


View listing of General Education Courses.  

  • Written Communication Credits: 6
  • Oral Communication Credits: 3
  • Humanities Credits: 3
  • Math Credits: 3 *
  • Lab Science Credits: 4 *
  • Personal Development Credits: 3
  • Social Science Credits: 3

* A total of 15-16 combined math/science credits are the minimum requirement for an AS degree. This must include a minimum of three (3) credits of math and four (4) credits of science from BIOS, CHEM, or PHYS options.

Note: Some general education requirements may be satisfied by program requirements. Please consult with an advisor for details

Core Program Requirements: 26 Credits


Total AS Requirements: 60 Credits


Recommended Plan of Study


1st Semester


Total Semester Credits: 16


2nd Semester


Total Semester Credits: 14


Total Semester Credits: 16


4th Semester


Total Semester Credits: 14


Total AS Credits: 60


* UNL prefers ECON - 2110 Principles of Macroeconomics  and ECON - 2120 Principles of Microeconomics .

** UNL prefers SPCH - 1110 Public Speaking  -COMM-209 at UNL.

Recommended Additions to the Program


(if time allows)

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