NPCC - Associate of Science Degree

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Associate of Science Degree

The Associate of Science Degree (A.S.) is designed for transfer to upper-level colleges and universities. Academic concentration is in the areas of the sciences curriculum. (See major areas of study.) Each candidate for the of Associate of Science Degree must successfully complete the following general education requirements which are in compliance with ACT 98 of 1989.

Required Core Curriculum for the A.S. Degree
English/Communication - 9 Credit Hours Total
ENG 1113 English Composition I	3
ENG 1123 English Composition II	3
SPCH 1103 Speech	3

Mathematics/Science - 17-22 Credit Hours Total
Students should follow carefully the curriculum advised by the senior institution to which they will transfer to determine exactly which mathematics and/or science courses they should take, but in general, the mathematics and science requirements are as follows:
Math - 3 Credit Hours Required (select one)
MATH 1123 College Algebra	3
MATH 1133 Trigonometry	3
MATH 2215 Calculus I	5

Science - 14 - 19 Credit Hours Required
(Select one course from Option I, one course from Option II, and two courses from Option III)
Option I - Life Sciences (one course)
BIOL 1114 General Biology	4
BIOL 1154 Zoology	4
BIOL 1164 Botany	4

Option II - Physical Sciences (one course)
CHEM 1104 Chemistry for Non-Majors	4
CHEM 1204 Chemistry I	4
ESCI 1104 Earth Science	4
GEOL 1104 Physical Geology	4
PHYS 1114 Physical Science	4
PHYS 1204 Physics I	4

Option III - (two courses not satisfying previous requirements)
MATH 1133 Trigonometry	3
MATH 2215 Calculus	5
MATH 2225 Calculus II	5
MATH 2233 Number Systems for Elementary Education Majors I	3
MATH 2243 Number Systems for Elementary Education Majors II	3
BIOL 2224 Anatomy & Physiology I	4
BIOL 2234 Anatomy & Physiology II	4
BIOL 1154 Zoology	4
BIOL 1164 Botany	4
CHEM 1204 General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 2204 General Chemistry II	4
PHYS 1204 General Physics I	4
PHYS 2204 General Physics II	4
PHYS 1124 Astronomy	4
ESCI 2244 Meteorology	4
ESCI 2254 Oceanography	4
ESCI 2263 Environmental Science	4

Fine Arts/Humanities - A.S. Candidates - 9 Credit Hours Total
Option I (Select TWO of the following courses)
ART 1593 Art Appreciation	3
MUS 1143 Music Appreciation	3
PHIL 1123 Introduction to Philosophy	3
PHIL 1133 Fundamentals of Ethics	3
SPAN 1103 Spanish I	3
SPAN 1113 Spanish II	3

Option II (Select ONE of the following courses)
ENG 1183 Introduction to Literature	3
ENG 2223 American Literature I	3
ENG 2233 American Literature II	3
ENG 2273 World Literature I	3
ENG 2283 World Literature II	3
Any course not used to satisfy Option II may be used to meet the requirements of Option I.

Social Sciences - A.S. Candidates - 12 Credit Hours Total
A. Select TWO of the following three courses
HIST 2223 U.S. History I OR	3
HIST 2233 U.S. History II	3
POLS 1113 American National Government	3

B. Select ONE of the following two courses
HIST 2203 Western Civilization I OR	3
HIST 2213 Western Civilization II	3

C. A.S. Candidates select two of the following courses
ANTH 1113 General Anthropology	3
GEOG 1103 Introduction to Geography	3
POLS 1123 State and Local Government	3
PSYC 1103 General Psychology	3
PSYC 1123 Applied Psychology	3
SOC 1103 Introduction to Sociology	3
SOC 2203 Social Problems	3
SOC 2213 Marriage and the Family	3

Physical Education - 2 Credit Hours Total

Arkansas colleges and universities require at least two physical education credits in activity courses for graduation eligibility. Medically exempt students, approved by the Vice President for Instruction, may take Health Safety (PE 1113) as a substitute for the two physical education courses. Transfer students should be aware that many colleges and universities require Life Fitness Concepts in partial fulfillment of the physical education requirement. The faculty of the Physical Education Department strongly recommend HPR 1101 Life Fitness Concepts as one of the two required physical education courses.

Electives - 11 Credit Hours Total

Since the choice in the core curriculum may vary in the amount of credits earned, students should work with their academic advisor in selecting the most appropriate electives and be certain of acquiring 60 credits for graduation eligibility. Choice of electives should be greatly influenced by the program requirements of the senior college to which the student plans to transfer. A.S. candidates need 11 elective credits to satisfy the required 60 SSCH for their degree plan.

Degree Requirements Profile
Academic Area A.S. Degree	Credit Hours
English/Communications/Art/Humanities	18
Math/Science	17 - 21
Social Science	12
Electives	11
Physical Education	2

Total Credit Hours	60

In addition, the college offers the following specialized A.S. degrees:

Associate of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (see Health Science's webpage)

The Associate of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is designed for career entry and articulation with four-year institutions so graduates may pursue a baccalaureate degree in medical technology or related areas.

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (see Nursing's webpage)

The Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) is designed for career entry and so students who wish to pursue a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) may continue their formal education at a four-year college or university.

For details about individual courses, see the catalog section on Course Descriptions.