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Biology Transfer Guide for Alpena Community College

Ferris Program: Biology
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science
Ferris College: College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
Transfer School: Alpena Community College
Consortium Eligible: No
Total Credits Required: 120-121
Catalog Year: 2022-2023

General Education Requirements

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30 Credits Required

Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to select appropriate general education courses. Diversity Competency - 2 Courses Required. If not met by courses taken for Culture, Self and Society, or MTA, a student must meet the following: 1 course with the Global Diversity attribute and 1 course with the U.S. Diversity attribute.

Visit the Ferris State general education page for more information.

  •  Communication Competency
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    COMM 121 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3 SPE 123
    ENGL 150 English 1 3 ENG 111 or
    ENG 121
    ENGL 250 English 2 3 ENG 112 or
    ENG 122
    ENGL 311 or
    ENGL 321 or
    ENGL 323
    Advanced Technical Writing or
    Advanced Composition or Proposal Writing
    3 No Equivalent
  •  Quantitative Literacy

    The MATH course required depends on the course required in the chosen concentration; see the Concentration section. 

  •  Natural Sciences Competency

    Two courses are required with a minimum of 6 credits: must have at least one lab course. 

  •  Cultural Competency

    Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines, have at least one 200 level or higher course. 

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    Varies Culture Electives (Consult Advisor) 9 Varies
  •  Self and Society Competency

    Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines, have at least one 200 level or higher course, and at least oneself and Society Foundation course. The recommended or required courses to meet this competency depends on the chosen concentration: (see program check sheet). 

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    Varies Self and Society Electives (Consult Advisor) 9 Varies

College Requirements

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90-91 Credits Required

 
  •  Major Courses

    16 Credits Required. 

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 121 General Biology 1 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 122 General Biology 2 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 346 or
    BIOL 347 or
    BIOL 442
    Ecological Assessment or Environmental Conservation or Ecology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 375 Principles of Genetics 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 460 Current Topics in Biology 2 No Equivalent
  •  Supporting Sciences

    10 Credits Required. 

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    CHEM 121 General Chemistry 1 5 CEM 121
    CHEM 122 General Chemistry 2 5 CEM 122
  •  Electives

    In order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, a student must have a minimum of 120 credits. The electives required for each student may vary depending on courses taken. Based on how a student meets the programmatic requirements, they may need more or less than 25 credits of elective courses to meet the required 120 credit minimum. MGMT 310 is recommended if the Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD) or Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM) was chosen. ACCT 201 or MGMT 310 is recommended if the Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO) was chosen.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    Varies Electives (Consult Advisor) 25 Varies

Concentration

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39-65 Credits Required (Advisor Approval)

Choose One Concentration
  •  Biology Concentration (BIBS)

    A total of 20 credits are required in Biology (BIOL) courses within this concentration. The total number of Biology electives varies based on the Biology (BIOL) courses taken within this concentration. This concentration also requires MATH 120 or higher, a minimum of 7 credits in Chemistry (CHEM) courses, including Biochemistry; and a minimum of 4 credits in Physics (PHYS) courses.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    (Choose 1 of 3)
    BIOL 251 and
    BIOL 252
    Human Anatomy and
    Human Physiology
    6 BIO 201 and
    BIO 203
    (Choose 1 of 3)
    BIOL 321 and 
    BIOL 322
    Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 and
    Human Physiology and Anatomy 2
    8 No Equivalent
    (Choose 1 of 3)
    BIOL 453
    Plant Physiology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 218 or
    BIOL 286 or
    BIOL 389
    Microbial Ecology or
    General Microbiology or
    Immunology
    3 No Equivalent or
    BIO 227 or
    No Equivalent
    CHEM 214 or
    CHEM 321 and
    CHEM 322
    Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry or
    Organic Chemistry 1 and
    Organic Chemistry 2
    4 or 10 No Equivalent or
    CEM 221 and
    CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or
    CHEM 364
    Fundamentals of Biochemistry or
    Biochemistry
    3 or 4 No Equivalent
    MATH 120 Trigonometry 3 MTH 122
    (Choose 1 of 3)
    PHYS 130
    Concepts in Physics 4 No Equivalent
    (Choose 1 of 3)
    PHYS 211 and
    PHYS 212
    Introductory Physics 1 and
    Introductory Physics 2
    8 PHY 121 and
    PHY 122
    (Choose 1 of 3)
    PHYS 241 and
    PHYS 242
    General Physics 1 and
    General Physics 2
    10 PHY 221 and
    PHY 222
    Varies Biology Application Area Electives 5 Varies
    Varies Biology Electives - BIOL 300 Level or Higher 9-13 Varies
  •  Biology/Environmental Concentration (BIEB)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 218 Microbial Ecology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 330 Zoology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 343 or
    BIOL 344 or
    BIOL 348
    Ornithology or
    Entomology or
    Animal Behavior
    3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 350 Plants and Fungi 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 453 Plant Physiology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 492 Biology Internship 1-6 No Equivalent
    CHEM 214 or
    CHEM 321 and
    CHEM 322
    Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry or
    Organic Chemistry 1 and
    Organic Chemistry 2
    4 or 10 No Equivalent or
    CEM 221 and
    CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or
    CHEM 364
    Fundamentals of Biochemistry or
    Biochemistry
    3 or 4 No Equivalent
    GEOL 121 or
    GEOL 131
    Physical Geology or
    Geology and Land Use Management
    4 or 3 No Equivalent
    GISC 225 or
    GEOG 311
    Principles of Geographic Information Systems or
    Social Implications of Geographic Information Systems
    3 No Equivalent
    MATH 130 Advanced Algebra and Analytical Trigonometry 4 MTH 123
    MATH 251 Statistics for the Life Sciences 3 MTH 223
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    PHYS 130
    Concepts in Physics 4 No Equivalent
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    PHYS 211 and
    PHYS 212
    Introductory Physics 1 and
    Introductory Physics 2
    8 PHY 121 and
    PHY 122
    Varies Environmental Elective; BIOL 340 or 345 Recommended 3 Varies
  •  Biology/Forensic Concentration (BIFB)

    A total of 21 credits are required in Biology (BIOL) courses within this concentration. The total number of Biology electives varies based on the Biology (BIOL) courses taken within this concentration. 

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    (Choose 1 of 2) BIOL 251 and
    BIOL 252 
    Human Anatomy and
    Human Physiology
    No Equivalent
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    BIOL 321 and
    BIOL 322
    Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 and Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 8 No Equivalent
    BIOL 207 Forensic Biology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 407 Forensic DNA Analysis 3 No Equivalent
    CHEM 207 Science and Crime 3 No Equivalent
    CHEM 231 or CHEM 307 or CHEM 332 Quantitative Analysis or Forensic Chemistry or
    Biochemistry Lab 1
    4 or 3 or 2 No Equivalent
    CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 1 5 CEM 221
    CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry 2 5 CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or CHEM 364 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or Biochemistry 3 or 4 No Equivalent
    CRIM 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 CRJ 121
    CRIM 301 Criminal Justice Investigation Issues 3 No Equivalent
    MATH 220 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 4 MTH 131
  •  Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Concentration (BIPA)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 300 or
    BIOL 310
    Pathophysiology or
    Nutrition
    3 BIO 228 or
    No Equivalent
    BIOL 321 Human Physiology and Anatomy 1  No Equivalent
    BIOL 322 Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 4 No Equivalent
    CHEM 214  or
    CHEM 321 and 
    CHEM 322
    Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry or
    Organic Chemistry 1 and
    Organic Chemistry 2
    4 or 10 No Equivalent or
    CEM 221 and
    CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or
    CHEM 364
    Fundamentals of Biochemistry or Biochemistry 3 or 4 No Equivalent
    MATH 130 Advanced Algebra and Analytical Trigonometry 4 MTH 123
    MATH 251 Statistics for the Life Sciences 3 MTH 223
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    PHYS 211 and
    PHYS 212
    Introductory Physics 1 and
    Introductory Physics 2
    8 PHY 121 and
    PHY 122
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    PHYS 241 and
    PHYS 242
    General Physics 1 and
    General Physics 2
    10 PHY 221 and
    PHY 222
    Varies Biology Application Area Elective 2 Varies
    Varies Biology Electives - BIOL 300 Level or Higher 6 Varies
  •  Biology/Pre-Dentistry Concentration (BIPD)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 321 Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 322 Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 4 No Equivalent
    CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 1 5 CEM 221
    CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry 2 5 CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or CHEM 364 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or Biochemistry 3 or 4 No Equivalent
    MATH 120 Trigonometry 3 MTH 122
    (Choose 1 of 2) PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 Introductory Physics 1 and Introductory Physics 2 8 PHY 121 and
    PHY 122
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    PHYS 241 and PHYS 242
    General Physics 1 and
    General Physics 2
    10 PHY 221 and
    PHY 222
    Varies Biology Application Area Electives; RMLS 122 Recommended 5 Varies
    Varies Biology Electives - BIOL 300 Level or Higher; BIOL 370 Recommended 9 Varies
  •  Biology/Pre-Medicine Concentration (BIPM)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 321 Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 322 Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 370 Developmental Biology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 389 Immunology 3 No Equivalent
    CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 1 5 CEM 221
    CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry 2 5 CEM 222
    MATH 130 or
    MATH 220 or
    MATH 230
    Advanced Algebra and Analytical Trigonometry or
    Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 or
    Analytical Geometry and Calculus 2
    MTH 123 or
    MTH 131 or
    MTH 132

    (Choose 1 of 2) PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 Introductory Physics 1 and Introductory Physics 2 8 PHY 121 and
    PHY 122
    (Choose 1 of 2)
    PHYS 241 and PHYS 242
    General Physics 1 and 
    General Physics 2
    10 PHY 221 and
    PHY 222
    Varies Biology Application Area Electives 5 Varies
    Varies Biology Elective - BIOL 300 Level or Higher 3 Varies
  •  Biology/Pre-Optometry Concentration (BIPO)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 251 Human Anatomy 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 252 Human Physiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 370 Developmental Biology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 373 Cell Biology 3 No Equivalent
    CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 1 5 CEM 221
    CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry 2 5 CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or CHEM 364 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or Biochemistry 3 or 4 No Equivalent
    MATH 220 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 4 MTH 131
    MATH 251 Statistics for the Life Sciences 3 MTH 223
    PHYS 211 Introductory Physics 1 4 PHY 121
    PHYS 212 Introductory Physics 2 4 PHY 122
    Varies Biology Application Area Electives 2 Varies
    Varies Biology Electives - BIOL 300 Level or Higher 5 Varies
  •  Biology/Pre-Phramacy Concentration (BIPP)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 321 Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 4 No Equivalent
    BOIL 322 Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 4 No Equivalent
    CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 1 5 CEM 221
    CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry 2 5 CEM 222
    CHEM 324 or
    CHEM 364
    Fundamentals of Biochemistry or Biochemistry 3 or 4 No Equivalent
    MATH 220 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 4 MTH 131
    MATH 251 Statistics for the Life Sciences 3 MTH 223
    PHYS 211 Introductory Physics 1 4 PHY 121
    PHYS 212 Introductory Physics 2 4 PHY 122
    Varies Biology Application Area Elective 2 Varies
    Varies Biology Electives - BIOL 300 Level or Higher; BIOL 373 or 474 Recommended 9 Varies
  •  Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (BIPT)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 300 Pathophysiology  3 BIO 228
    BIOL 301 Exercise Physiology 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 321 Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 322 Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 4 No Equivalent
    CHEM 214 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry 4 No Equivalent
    CHEM 324 Fundamentals of Biochemistry 3 No Equivalent
    COHP 100 Orientation to Medical Vocabulary 1 No Equivalent
    MATH 130 Advanced Algebra and Analytical Trigonometry 4 MTH 123
    MATH 251 Statistics for the Life Sciences 3 MTH 223
    PHYS 211 Introductory Physics 1 4 PHY 121
    PHYS 212 Introductory Physics 2 4 PHY 122
    RMLS 122 Responding to Emergencies 2 No Equivalent
    Varies Biology Elective - BIOL 300 Level or Higher 3 Varies
  •  Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration (BIPV)
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 286 General Microbiology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 310 Nutrition 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 321 Human Physiology and Anatomy 1 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 322 Human Physiology and Anatomy 2 4 No Equivalent
    BIOL 373 Cell Biology 3 No Equivalent
    BIOL 389 Immunology 3 No Equivalent
    CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 1 5 CEM 221
    CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry 2 5 CEM 222
    CHEM 364 Biochemistry 4 No Equivalent
    MATH 130 Advanced Algebra and Analytical Trigonometry 4 MTH 123
    PHYS 211 Introductory Physics 1 4 PHY 121
    PHYS 212 Introductory Physics 2 4 PHY 122
    Varies Biology Application Area Electives 5 Varies
    Varies Biology Elective - BIOL 300 Level or Higher 3 Varies

Program Contact Information

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College of Arts, Sciences, & Education
Biology Department

(231) 591-2550
[email protected] 

Ferris Statewide - Alpena
(231) 995-1734
[email protected]

Admission Requirements

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New Student Admission Requirements

  • 2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
  • ACT Score of 17 or SAT Score of 900 (optional)

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

  • 2.00 Overall GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
  • At least 12 credits 

More Information

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Select courses may be delivered online and/or in a mixed delivery format (i.e. a mix of online and face-to-face instruction at the Ferris Main Campus or at a statewide location).

To fulfill the residency requirement for a bachelor’s degree a student must earn a minimum of 30 credits from Ferris State University.

Steps to Apply

  • Complete your free application.
  • Submit official transcripts
    • Submit official transcripts from every school attended to [email protected]
    • Or mail to:
      Ferris State University Admissions Office
      1201 S. State St., CSS 201
      Big Rapids, MI 49307
  • Submit test scores (if required)
    • ACT Scores; go to the ACT website - Ferris State University School Code: 1994
    • SAT, CLEP and AP Sores; go to the College Board website - Ferris State University School Code: 1222

Advising Notes

It is recommended that potential applicants meet with an advisor to review the degree, course schedule, transfer policies and have any questions answered prior to completing an application. Ferris accepts transfer courses in which the student earned a letter grade of "C" or better. Additional policies such as the Ferris Sunset and Residency Requirement should be discussed with a Ferris advisor. Students who are completing the MTA may have different general education course requirements for the particular degree selected.

Meeting with a Ferris advisor prior to the selection of general education or elective coursework may reduce the chance of completing a course that will not apply toward the selected degree. Students must work with their Ferris advisor to declare a Minor or Concentration and for the selection of Directed Electives.

Once admitted, students are required to complete an orientation and should continue to meet with an advisor as they work toward graduation.

To schedule an appointment or for additional transfer resources and policies see our Transfer Resource page.

*Indicates an approved Ferris course substitution

Reverse Transfer Agreement

Ferris has reverse transfer agreements with several Michigan Community Colleges. Under such agreement, Ferris will provide your official University transcript to a partner school you have attended, so that they may grant you an associate or bachelor's degree upon completion of sufficient and appropriate credit hours from both institutions. In turn, the degree-granting institution will provide Ferris with an updated transcript reflecting the newly earned credential.

Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)

Ferris participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). This agreement will facilitate the transfer of general education requirements from one Michigan institution to another. Students may complete the MTA as part of a degree program or as a stand-alone package. The MTA consists of a minimum of 30 general education credit hours as identified by the college or university.

Students transferring to Ferris with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) and entering a degree program will have met a 30-hour block of lower-level general education courses. However, this does not exempt students from completing program-specific prerequisites or higher-level general education course requirements. Students should contact their advisor regarding classes that meet the MTA.

Transfer Equivalencies Tools

The transfer equivalencies link is located in the Transfer Resources section at transfer.ferris.edu.

Disclaimer

Transfer guides are not intended to be a contract with Ferris. The information in this guide is subject to change and is aligned with the catalog year listed above. Students should contact their community college and/or Ferris to keep informed of changes. Students' final responsibility for verifying all transfer information lies with the student. Please refer to the Ferris catalog for the most current curriculum.

Partners may contact the Office of Transfer and Secondary School Partnerships with questions or updates at [email protected].