Health Sciences Degrees, Certificates and Transfer Pathways

Life Sciences & Technologies

Biologists positively impact the future with rewarding careers in biotechnology, medicine, veterinary, pharmaceuticals, environmental science or research. They study living organisms to advance our understanding of life processes and our ability to solve human health problems by examining the relationship, development, anatomy and functions of all forms of life. The IVC Health Sciences Program is dedicated to offering a quality program that will meet the lifelong learning needs of our students and prepare them for admission into allied health professional schools, or transfer to California State University, University of California or other 4 year institutions.

View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates

The primary mission of the Department of Health Sciences (HS), School of Life Sciences and Technologies (LST), is to provide a solid foundation for the student who wishes to pursue further study at the baccalaureate level and for those students planning to enter a pre-professional or professional program in health-related field such as nursing, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, message therapy, nutritional therapy and dietician, occupational therapy, medicine, dentistry, dental assistant, optometry, and veterinary science. Courses offered include topics in biochemistry, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and biotechnology. Students who complete an appropriate pathway in Health Sciences may earn an Associate in Science, the Biotechnology-Lab Assistant Certificate of Achievement, or the Biotechnology Biomanufacturing Technician Certificate of Proficiency.

Program Length

Four semesters.

Transfer Options

We offer two different biology majors course sequences that articulate to most of our transfer institutions. Additionally, nearly all of our courses articulate successfully fulfilling the Life Sciences requirement. Our students transfer to UCI, Cal State Fullerton, UCLA, UCR, UCSB, UCSD, Berkeley, Cal State Long Beach and many other 4 year institutions.

Program Specific Support

The Student Success Center offers tutoring for Life Sciences courses. Lab space, equipment, models, and lab technicians provide support for a collaborative and immersive academic experience.

Your Support Team

Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond!

Coming Soon: Completion Teams to get students from start to goal! Look for your team beginning fall 2021!

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Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

Biotechnology COACOP

Biotechnology - Lab Assistant, COA COA 1 Year Part-Time

This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
BIOT 70	Introduction to Biotechnology	3
BIOT 70L	Introduction to Biotechnology Laboratory	1

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
BIO 10	Biochemistry for Health Sciences	4

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
BIOT 273	Biotechnology A: Basic Lab Skills (Summer Only)	4

Biotechnology Biomanufacturing Technician, COP COP 1 Year Part-Time

This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
BIOT 70	Introduction to Biotechnology	3
BIOT 70L	Introduction to Biotechnology Laboratory	1

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
BIOT 274	Biotechnology B: Proteins	4
BIOT 276	Quality and Regulatory Complicance in Bioscience	2

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Units
BIOT 273	Biotechnology A: Basic Lab Skills (Summer Only)	4

Health Sciences AS

Health Sciences, AS AS-GE 2 Years Full-Time

This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
WR 1	College Writing 1	1A	4
MATH 10 or PSYC 10	Introduction to Statistics or Statistical Methods in Behavioral Sciences	1C & Major	3
BIO 10 or CHEM 4	Biochemistry for Health Sciences or Introduction to General & Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry	2 & Major	4-5
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
Communications/Thinking	Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course	1B	3-4
BIO 11	Human Anatomy	2& Major	4
HLTH 5	Introduction to Public Health	3 & Major	3
CS 1 or CIM 107	Introduction to Computer Systems or Introduction to Personal Computer Applications		3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
BIO 15	General Microbiology	2 & Major	5
PSYC 1 or SOC 1	Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology	3 & Major	3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
BIO 12	Human Physiology	2 & Major	4
Arts/Humanities	Arts or Humanities GE Course	4	3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3

Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Ethnic Studies requirement for the AS degree.

AA = Associate of Arts
AS = Associate of Science
AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
COA = Certificate of Achievement
COP = Certificate of Proficiency

Explore Careers Related to Health Sciences

Agricultural Technicians

Median Salary

$39,084

Job Growth

+4%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
2%

Associate's Degree
18%

Bachelor's Degree
30%

Master's Degree
49%

Health Sciences

Program Length

Transfer Options

Program Specific Support

Your Support Team

Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Biotechnology COACOP

Biotechnology - Lab Assistant, COA COA 1 Year Part-Time

Biotechnology Biomanufacturing Technician, COP COP 1 Year Part-Time

Health Sciences AS

Health Sciences, AS AS-GE 2 Years Full-Time

Explore Careers Related to Health Sciences

Agricultural Technicians

Biochemical Engineers

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Biofuel Technology and Product Development Managers

Biofuels Processing Technicians

Biofuels Production Managers

Bioinformatics Scientists

Bioinformatics Technicians

Biological Technicians

Biologists

Biomedical Engineers

Biostatisticians

Chemical Technicians

Clinical Data Managers

Clinical Research Coordinators

Food Science Technicians

Geneticists

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Medical Scientists

Microbiologists

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Natural Sciences Managers

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Postsecondary Biological Science Teachers

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Athletic Trainers

Audiologists