Observe and Record

NOVA’s Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Science

Request Info

Science, A.S.

Science is not just relevant in a research lab. It’s all around us, and affects every aspect of our daily lives. Successful students will learn to see the world in a new way, and find real-life applications for what they have learned.

NOVA's A.S. in Science is perfect for students who want to understand the natural world, and its implications for Science, Technology, and Mathematics. NOVA students graduate to a variety of career paths, including: Agriculture, Biology, Dentistry, Forestry, Medicine, Oceanography, and Pharmacology.

Make the Smart Choice

  • The A.S. in Science transfers easily to four-year schools with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program.

  • Once you have a transfer school in mind, consult an advisor regarding requirements and courses.

  • Where Will I Learn?

    • Alexandria
    • Annandale
    • Online Learning (ELI)
    • Loudoun
    • Manassas
    • Woodbridge
  • Transfer Information

    Students are advised to work closely with the faculty and counseling staff for program and course scheduling. Electives should be chosen carefully after investigation of the requirements of the transfer institution. The responsibility for proper course selection rests with the student. Students are encouraged to complete the A.S. degree before transferring.

  • Course Details

    Two Years Credits
    1st Semester
    ENG 111 College Composition I 3
    Choose One
    ITE 152 Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications 3
    1 General Education Elective 3
    Choose One
    2,3  Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab 4 - 5
    4MTH 167 PreCalculus with Trigonometry 5
    MTH 263 Calculus I 4
    Choose One
    SDV 100 College Success Skills 1
    SDV 101 Orientation to (a Specific Discipline) 1
    Total 15-16
    2nd Semester
    ENG 112 College Composition II 3
    5MTH 264 Calculus II 4
    2,3 Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab 4
    6 Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective 3
    Total 14
    3rd Semester
    7HIS Elective 3
    8 Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3
    Choose One
    MTH Elective 3 - 4
    2,3 Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab 3 - 4
    Choose One
    9MTH Elective 3 - 4
    2,3 Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab 3 - 4
    6 Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective 3
    Total 15-17
    4th Semester
    10CST 110 Introduction to Human Communication 3
    11 General Education Elective 3
    8 Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3
    Choose One
    9MTH Elective 3 - 4
    2,3 Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab 3 - 4
    2,3 Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab 4 - 5
    Total 16-18
    Total credits for the Associate of Science = 60-65
    Two Years Credits
    1st Semester
    ENG
    111
    3
    Choose One
    ITE
    152
    3
    General Education Elective
    1
    3
    Choose One
    Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab
    2,3 
    4 - 5
    4MTH
    167
    5
    MTH
    263
    4
    Choose One
    SDV
    100
    1
    SDV
    101
    1
    Total 15-16
    2nd Semester
    ENG
    112
    3
    5MTH
    264
    4
    Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab
    2,3
    4
    Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective
    6
    3
    Total 14
    3rd Semester
    Elective
    7HIS
    3
    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
    8
    3
    Choose One
    Elective
    MTH
    3 - 4
    Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab
    2,3
    3 - 4
    Choose One
    Elective
    9MTH
    3 - 4
    Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab
    2,3
    3 - 4
    Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective
    6
    3
    Total 15-17
    4th Semester
    10CST
    110
    3
    General Education Elective
    11
    3
    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
    8
    3
    Choose One
    Elective
    9MTH
    3 - 4
    Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab
    2,3
    3 - 4
    Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab
    2,3
    4 - 5
    Total 16-18
    Total credits for the Associate of Science = 60-65

    1 Select any course listed under General Education Electives. Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution. EDU 200 may be used for those interested in secondary education. ADJ 100 may be used for those interested in forensic science.

     All science electives (including General Education sciences) must be selected from the following: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 110, BIO 120, CHM 111, CHM 112, GOL 105, GOL 106, or any 200-level biology, chemistry, geology, or physics course. 

    3 Students who plan to major in Biology should elect CHM 111- CHM 112, BIO 101-BIO 102 or BIO 110 and BIO 120, and either BIO 206 and PHY 201 or PHY 201-PHY 202. Students who plan to major in Chemistry should elect CHM 111-CHM 112 and CHM 241-CHM 242 and CHM 245-CHM 246 plus 2 semesters of physics (please see transfer school for required physics class). Students who plan to major in Physics should select PHY 241 -PHY 242 , MTH 265, MTH 267 and two of the following: CHM 111-CHM 112, PHY 243 or MTH 266. For all intended majors, it is strongly recommended that you contact your counselor or academic advisor to identify courses that meet requirements of your transfer institution.

    4 MTH 161 and MTH 162 may both be taken in place of MTH 167. 

    5 For students who plan to major in Biology, MTH 264 may be replaced with MTH 245.

    See social/behavioral sciences courses listed under Social/Behavioral Sciences Electives. Base selection on requirements of transfer institution.

    Must use General Education HIS courses listed under social/behavioral science courses under Social/Behavioral Sciences Electives. 

    8 See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives. Students must choose courses from two of the three areas listed. Credit will not be applied if student takes two courses from the same area. Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet requirements of the transfer institution.

    9 Math electives must be selected from the following: MTH 265, MTH 266, MTH 267, or MTH 288. 

    10 May also select from the following: CST 100, CST 126, or CST 229.

    11 Choose from General Education listing. If choosing a science, it must follow footnote #3. This elective is not needed if selections for all other requirements total 60 credits or more

  • Related Programs

Real-World Impact

  • NOVA Alum to Participate in NASA Program

    NOVA graduate Joseph Cunningham was selected to travel to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calf., this summer to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) onsite experience.

    See Story

Want More Info About a Future in Science?

Still gathering information and doing your research on next steps? We understand. Talk to one of our advisors today.

*Indicates Required Field