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2025-2026 College Catalog
Science (880) Associate of Science Degree
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Purpose: With the tremendous emphasis on science and technology in today’s society, there is a great demand for scientists and scientifically oriented people in business, government, industry, and academia. This degree focuses on physical or natural science, and is designed for students interested in a pre-professional or scientific program and for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions.
This program was designed to be very flexible, so it is advised students reach out to their intended four-year school of transfer, as well as discussing their long-term educational goals with an academic advisor, so as to adjust their course selection(s) as needed.
Course Offerings: Courses in this program are offered at the Hampton and Historic Triangle Campuses in the daytime, evenings, and online.
Special Notes: Students are highly encouraged to seek summer internship opportunities to explore the field of science.
Students enrolled in this two-year transfer program may also be eligible for Passport Courses or Uniform Certificate of General Studies consideration. Please review the provided link for more information and meet with your advisor for details.
Professional Health Degrees and Other Pathways: Many students declare the Science program as a path towards completing the course requirements for entry into various post baccalaureate programs, e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, DTP (Doctorate of Physical Therapy), Pharmacy, PA (Physician Assistant) to name a few. These pathways have been addressed in each of the semesters with the default listing of suggested pacing, which aligns with what most four-year schools suggest, including CHM 111 - General Chemistry I as a first semester course, enabling students to complete two semesters of Organic Chemistry within two years. Additionally, there are pathways for completion of the first two years of various science degrees.
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Science (880) Requirements
Although various recommended pathways are detailed in each semester as a way to guide students, students’ objectives may not necessarily align with suggested courses and pacing, thus below is a summary of what is required by the program. | Requirements | Courses | Credits | | Arts, Humanities, & Literature (2 courses) | BLOCK II ** Must be from two (2) different categories | 6 | | English (2 courses) | ENG 111 & ENG 112 or ENG 113 | 6 | | History (1 course) | | 3 | | Lab Sequence, Two Sequences (4 courses total) | | 15 - 16 | | Math Sequence (2 courses) | MTH 161/162 or MTH 263/264 | 6 - 8 | | Math/Science Electives (4 courses minimum) | | 15 - 18 | | Social and Behavioral Science (1 course) | | 3 | | Statistics (1 course) | MTH 245 | 3 | | Student Development (1 course) | SDV 100 | 1 | | Total Credits | 60 - 63 | **For those who are interested in one of these pathways, a simplified format which may be preferred by some, can be found here. Science Pathway Fully Online and In-Person
This program is fully accessible and can be completed online, or students can learn in a traditional classroom environment. Fall I
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Semester 1 - (Requirements and Suggested Pathways)
Semester Total Credits: 14 - 15
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Semester
I
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Fall I
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 15
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Credits 15
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Pre-Professional
Health
(Dentistry,
Medicine,
Pharmacy,
PA, DPT)
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Environmental
Science
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Geology
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Mathematics
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Physics
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(1 credit)
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(1 credit)
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(3 credits)
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Credits 14 - 15
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 15
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Credits 15
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*For convenience, pathway choices listed above are suggestions based on the most commonly used courses for transfer to a four-year institution in each area. Students are to check with their chosen four-year institution or the advising staff to determine which course selection(s) work best for transfer purposes. Semester Total Credits 14/15
Spring I
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Semester 2 - (Requirements and Suggested Pathways)
Semester Total Credits: 17
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Semester
II
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Spring I
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Pre-Professional
Health
(Dentistry,
Medicine,
Pharmacy,
PA, DPT)
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Environmental
Science
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Geology
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Mathematics
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Physics
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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________
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________
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(4 credits)
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or
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or
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(3 credits)
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Credits 17
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Total Credits 17
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*For convenience, pathway choices listed above are suggestions based on the most commonly used courses for transfer to a four-year institution in each area. Students are to check with their chosen four-year institution or the advising staff to determine which course selection(s) work best for transfer purposes. Semester Total Credits 17
Fall II
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Semester 3 - (Requirements and Suggested Pathways)
Semester Total Credits: 14 - 17
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Semester
III
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Fall II
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Credits 15-16
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Credits 16
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Credits 15
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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Pre-Professional
Health
(Dentistry,
Medicine,
Pharmacy,
PA, DPT)
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Environmental
Science
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Geology
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Mathematics
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Physics
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(4 credits)
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________
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(5 credits total)
or
(4 credits)
for PA or DPT
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(5 credits total)
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________
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
or
(4 credits)
or
(4 credits) for PA
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
or
(4 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(or Spring II)
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(Suggested in Spring II)
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(3 credits)
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(3 credits)
**NOTE: Course must be from a different category, than from Spring I semester.
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Credits 14 - 17
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Credits 15-16
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Credits 16
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Credits 15
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Credits 14
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Credits 14
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Credits 17
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Credits 17
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*For convenience, pathway choices listed above are suggestions based on the most commonly used courses for transfer to a four-year institution in each area. Students are to check with their chosen four-year institution or the advising staff to determine which course selection(s) work best for transfer purposes. Semester Total Credits 14/17
Spring II
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Semester 4 - (Requirements and Suggested Pathways)
Semester Total Credits: 12 - 15
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Semester
IV
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Spring II
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Credits 14-15
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Credits 15
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Credits 16
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Credits 15
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Credits 15
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Credits 12
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Credits 12
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Pre-Professional
Health
(Dentistry,
Medicine,
Pharmacy,
PA, DPT)
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Environmental
Science
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Geology
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Mathematics
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Physics
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________
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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________
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(5 credits total)
or
(4 credits)
for DPT
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(5 credits total)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(3 credits)
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(3 credits)
or
(3 credits)
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(4 credits)
or
(4 credits)
or
(4 credits) for PA
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
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(4 credits)
or
(4 credits)
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(3 credits)
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________
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(3 credits)
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Statistics
MTH 245
(If not in Fall II)
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(3 credits)
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________
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(3 credits)
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Credits 12 - 15
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Credits 14-15
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Credits 15
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Credits 16
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Credits 15
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Credits 15
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Credits 12
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Credits 12
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*For convenience, pathway choices listed above are suggestions based on the most commonly used courses for transfer to a four-year institution in each area. Students are to check with their chosen four-year institution or the advising staff to determine which course selection(s) work best for transfer purposes. Semester Total Credits 12/15
Total Credits 60/63
**Students enrolled in this program may not exceed 63 semester hour credits.** See VCCS Policy Manual, Section 5.01, #5.1.0.0.4.6. In selecting transfer courses, students should consult the catalog of their intended transfer institution and major.
Program Information (STEM)
For additional information about this program visit the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics webpage, stop by room 321 Hastings Hall, phone 757-825-2898, or email stemoffice@vpcc.edu. Students may take courses in the summer session where available. Please consult with an academic advisor to review course scheduling options. Students are encouraged to speak with a financial aid advisor to determine funding eligibility. |
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