General Science Associate in Science Degree
Explore the wonders of science with an AS program in General Science. Uncover the mysteries of the natural world.
Overview for General Science AS
The associate in science (AS) degree in general science is designed to prepare deaf and hard-of-hearing students who are close to, but not fully ready for, direct entry into a bachelor’s-level program in the sciences. The degree is a pathway for completing the course work taken during the first two years of a BS degree program in RIT's College of Science or RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology. This program is available for qualified deaf and hard of hearing students.
This AS degree, offered by RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf, serves as a bridge program for qualified students based on academic transcripts, admission test scores, and other evidence that support a reasonable expectation of success in the baccalaureate program. By combining preparatory studies in math and English with bachelor’s-level science, math, and liberal arts courses, students can qualify to transfer as juniors into a BS program depending on the course work taken for the AS degree. Students acquire the foundational skills necessary for success in the scientific field of their choice as they also develop skills and knowledge in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematics.
You’ll start with an AS in general science, which provides you with the courses and credits you need to enroll in and successfully complete a bachelor's degree program. Qualified students who complete the AS in general science degree will be admitted to a bachelor’s degree as juniors.
Upon successful completion of your AS program in general science, you will have several options from which to choose. You can enroll in RIT’s College of Science, where you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, biotechnology and molecular bioscience, chemistry, or environmental science Or you can enroll in RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technology, where you can work towards a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences.
Learn more about the benefits of pursuing an Associate+Bachelor’s Degree Program.
Qualified students also may go on to enroll in graduate or professional school upon completion of the bachelor’s degree.
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Apply for Fall 2025
First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.
Curriculum for 2024-2025 for General Science AS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
General Science, AS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| NCAR-010 | Freshman Seminar The course provides incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students admitted to NTID undergraduate programs with opportunities to develop/enhance academic skills, personal awareness, and community involvement in order to maximize their college experience. Students will have opportunities to explore and navigate the college environment, develop/reinforce academic skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities while establishing meaningful connections with faculty, staff and peers. The course promotes the development of plans for ongoing growth and involvement in class and in the RIT/NTID and/or broader community. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 2 (Fall, Spring). |
0 |
| NMTH-275 | Advanced Mathematics (General Education) Topics from precalculus mathematics are studied with an emphasis on functions and graphs. Topics include the algebra of functions and the study of inverse functions. Rational, exponential, logarithmic and piecewise-defined functions are among those studied. Students, who earn credit for NMTH-275, cannot take NMTH-260 or NMTH-272. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students that have completed NMTH-212 or equivalent course with a grade of C- or better or have a math placement score greater than or equal to 40.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| UWRT-150 | FYW: Writing Seminar (WI) (General Education – First-Year Writing) Writing Seminar is a three-credit course limited to 19 students per section. The course is designed to develop first-year students’ proficiency in analytical and rhetorical reading and writing, and critical thinking. Students will read, understand, and interpret a variety of non-fiction texts representing different cultural perspectives and/or academic disciplines. These texts are designed to challenge students intellectually and to stimulate their writing for a variety of contexts and purposes. Through inquiry-based assignment sequences, students will develop academic research and literacy practices that will be further strengthened throughout their academic careers. Particular attention will be given to the writing process, including an emphasis on teacher-student conferencing, critical self-assessment, class discussion, peer review, formal and informal writing, research, and revision. Small class size promotes frequent student-instructor and student-student interaction. The course also emphasizes the principles of intellectual property and academic integrity for both current academic and future professional writing. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
3 |
| Choose one of the following course sequences: | 8 |
|
| CHMG-141 | General & Analytical Chemistry I (General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective) This is a general chemistry course for students in the life and physical sciences. College chemistry is presented as a science based on empirical evidence that is placed into the context of conceptual, visual, and mathematical models. Students will learn the concepts, symbolism, and fundamental tools of chemistry necessary to carry on a discourse in the language of chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between atomic structure, chemical bonds, and the transformation of these bonds through chemical reactions. The fundamentals of organic chemistry are introduced throughout the course to emphasize the connection between chemistry and the other sciences. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
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| CHMG-142 | General & Analytical Chemistry II The course covers the thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions. The relationship between energy and entropy change as the driving force of chemical processes is emphasized through the study of aqueous solutions. Specifically, the course takes a quantitative look at: 1) solubility equilibrium, 2) acid-base equilibrium, 3) oxidation-reduction reactions and 4) chemical kinetics. (Prerequisites: CHMG-141 or CHMG-131 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
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| CHMG-145 | General & Analytical Chemistry I Lab The course combines hands-on laboratory exercises with workshop-style problem sessions to complement the CHMG-141 lecture material. The course emphasizes laboratory techniques and data analysis skills. Topics include: gravimetric, volumetric, thermal, titration and spectrophotometric analyses, and the use of these techniques to analyze chemical reactions. (Corequisite: CHMG-141 or CHMG-131 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
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| CHMG-146 | General & Analytical Chemistry II Lab The course combines hands-on laboratory exercises with workshop-style problem sessions to complement the CHMG-142 lecture material. The course emphasizes the use of experiments as a tool for chemical analysis and the reporting of results in formal lab reports. Topics include the quantitative analysis of a multicomponent mixture using complexation and double endpoint titration, pH measurement, buffers and pH indicators, the kinetic study of a redox reaction, and the electrochemical analysis of oxidation reduction reactions. (Prerequisites: CHMG-131 or CHMG-141 or equivalent course.
Corequisites: CHMG-142 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
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| or | ||
| BIOL-101 | General Biology I (General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective) This course serves as an introduction to cellular, molecular, and evolutionary biology. Topics will include: a study of the basic principles of modern cellular biology, including cell structure and function; the chemical basis and functions of life, including enzyme systems and gene expression; and the origin of life and evolutionary patterns of organism development on Earth. Lecture 3 (Fall, Summer). |
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| BIOL-102 | General Biology II This course serves as an introduction to animal and plant anatomy and physiology, in addition to the fundamentals of ecology. Topics will include: animal development; animal body systems; plant development; unique plant systems; Earth's terrestrial and aquatic environments; population and community ecology; animal behavior; and conservation biology. Lecture 3 (Spring, Summer). |
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| BIOL-103 | General Biology I Lab This course provides laboratory work to complement the lecture material of General Biology I. The experiments are designed to illustrate concepts of basic cellular and molecular biology, develop laboratory skills and techniques for microscopy, and improve ability to make, record and interpret observations. (Co-requisites: BIOL-101 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Fall, Summer). |
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| BIOL-104 | General Biology II Lab This course provides laboratory work to complement the material of General Biology II. The experiments are designed to illustrate concepts of animal and plant anatomy and physiology, develop laboratory skills and techniques for experimenting with live organisms, and improve ability to make, record, and interpret observations. (Co-requisites: BIOL-102 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Spring, Summer). |
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| Choose one of the following: | 3 |
|
| NMTH-220 | Trigonometry Topics include the trigonometric ratios, radian measure, angles in a coordinate system, ratio values for special angles, trigonometric inverses, graphs of trigonometric functions, and trigonometric identities and equations (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students that have completed NMTH-212 or higher or have a math placement score equal to 40 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
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| NMTH-250 | Elementary Statistics An introductory statistics course utilizing a lecture/lab format in which statistics concepts, probability, probability distributions, and bivariate data are studied. Statistical concepts that are essential for an understanding of social and political issues of contemporary life will be emphasized. Statistical software and applications will be introduced. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students that have completed (UWRT-100 or 150) and NMTH-210 or higher with a grade of C- or better or have a math placement score greater than or equal to 40 or equivalent courses.Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students that have completed (UWRT-100 or 150) and NMTH-210 or higher with a grade of C- or better or have a math placement score greater than or equal to 40 or equivalent courses.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
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General Education – Electives |
6 | |
General Education – Ethical Perspective |
3 | |
General Education – Artistic Perspective |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
Professional Elective Labs‡ |
4 | |
Professional Electives‡ |
15 | |
General Education – Global Perspective |
3 | |
General Education – Social Perspective |
3 | |
General Education – Electives |
3 | |
General Education – Electives† |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 |
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Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.
Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing associate's degrees are required to complete one Wellness course.
† Students take Calculus A (MATH-171) or Introduction to Statistics I (STAT-145) depending on their focus area. Students may need to take additional math coursework upon entry to the BS program as required by the specified major.
‡ These electives fulfill course work that aligns with the desired College of Science or College of Health Sciences and Technology BS degree program chosen by the student.
Admissions and Financial Aid
For the AS Degree Leading to Bachelor’s Degree (Associate+Bachelor’s Program)
- 2 years of math required; students interested in engineering, math and science transfer programs should have three or more years of math.
- 1 year of science required; students interested in engineering, math and science transfer programs should have two or more years of science.
- Physics is recommended for students interested in engineering.
- English language skills as evidenced by application materials determine associate degree options.
Specific English, Mathematics and Science Requirements and other Recommendations
The proposed admission requirements are the same as those already established for admitting students into the NTID science pre-baccalaureate program.
- English: Placement into Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or a First Year Writing course, such as FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150);
- Mathematics: NTID Math Placement score greater than or equal to 40, which equates to placement into Advanced Mathematics (NMTH-275). Students will enroll in the mathematics courses required by the intended bachelor’s program. Typically, students entering this program will have completed at least three years of high school mathematics. Once in the program, students will take math courses that are appropriate for their intended focus area.
- Science: Students will enroll in science courses that lead to their intended bachelor’s program. Typically, students entering this program will have completed at least three years of high school science.
- ACT (optional): The ACT middle 50% composite score is 18-21 with no sub-scores less than 19.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
