Science - Associate of Science
The Associate of Science degree is a two-year academic program that provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of the natural sciences. This program typically covers a wide range of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, environmental science or mathematics, allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the natural world. Throughout the course of their studies, students engage in both classroom-based learning and hands-on laboratory work, which fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and scientific inquiry. The program serves as an excellent stepping stone for those who wish to pursue further education in science-related fields, including nursing, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and geology, or for those who aim to enter the workforce with a strong scientific knowledge base, opening up opportunities in roles such as laboratory technicians, research assistants, or science educators.
60 credits
The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree represents the completion of the first two years of several bachelor’s degree programs related to the sciences. Students pursuing the Associate of Science degree are advised to select courses that fulfill requirements for specific programs at New Mexico State University and that transfer to other four-year institutions. Many of the courses are General Education (G) courses. Students interested in the natural sciences (e.g., biology or chemistry) or fields closely related to the sciences (e.g., allied health science) are encouraged to follow this degree plan.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
The New Mexico General Education course list can be found here.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor for help in planning their studies and should be prepared to select their coursework from the following areas:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| Select one 3 or 4 credit course from the New Mexico General Education list for Area II; see link above. The following courses are recommended. | 3 | |
| College Algebra | 3 | |
| Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus | 4 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Area III: Laboratory Science | 8 | |
Select two 4 credit courses from the New Mexico General Education list for Area III; see link above. The following courses are recommended. | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy Lecture & Laboratory | 4 | |
| The Planets Lecture & Laboratory | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| Environmental Science I | 4 | |
| Physical Geography | 4 | |
| Physical Geology | 4 | |
| Survey of Physics with Lab | 4 | |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
Select one 3 credit course from the New Mexico General Education list for Area IV; see link above. The following courses are recommended. | ||
| Introduction to Anthropology | 3 | |
| Macroeconomic Principles | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | |
| World Regional Geography | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Select one 3 credit course from the New Mexico General Education list for Area V; see link above. The following courses are recommended. | 3 | |
| World Literature I | 3 | |
| United States History I | 3 | |
| United States History II | 3 | |
| World History I | 3 | |
| World History II | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts | ||
| Select one 3 credit course from the New Mexico General Education list for Area VI; see link above. The following courses are recommended. | 3 | |
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Jazz | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | 3 | |
| Introduction to Theatre | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| Take one 3 credit MATH course from the New Mexico General Education list; see link above. | 3 | |
| Other Core Requirements | ||
| OECS 105 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 60 | ||
| Select a minimum of 24 credits of lower division courses, 12 credits of which must be in MATH or a Laboratory Science. SPAN 1110 and SPAN 1120 are recommended for some Bachelor degee programs. 6 | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Required Courses for Students Pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at NMSU
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2310 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 2310L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 2210 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences | 4 |
| BIOL 2225 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CEPY 1120G | Human Growth and Behavior | 3 |
| CHEM 1120G | Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | 4 |
| MATH 1220G | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| NUTR 2110 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| PSYC 1110G | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
A Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MATH 1220G | College Algebra | 3 |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 1 | 4 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 |
| MATH or Science Elective | 3 | |
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 1 | 4 | |
| OECS 105 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Science Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 1130G or COMM 1115G | Public Speaking or Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Area V: Humanities Course 1 | 3 | |
| Science Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts Course 1 | 3 | |
| Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| Math or Science Elective | 3 | |
| Electives (two 3 credit courses) | 6 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |
- 1
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 2
Select a minimum of 24 credits of lower division courses, 12 credits of which must be in MATH or Laborotory Science. SPAN 1110 and SPAN 1120 are recommended for some Bachelor degee programs.
Phone: (505) 287-6644
Email: sgilmor3@nmsu.edu
Office: Martinez Hall