Associate of Science Degree in Natural Science (ASNS)

Program Overview

The Associate of Science degree in Natural Science has two areas of concentration, Biology, and Chemistry. The program is designed to fulfill the needs of those students who:

want to complete the first two years of an undergraduate degree in a Community College environment and then transfer to a four-year institution in concentrations of either Biology or Chemistry,
are undecided about their educational goals and need an opportunity to explore their interests, or
maybe interested in obtaining only a two-year Natural Science degree.

The Natural Science program offers an associate degree that is equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor of Science degree program, prepares students for transfer to four-year degree programs at the University of the District of Columbia as well as other institutions, allows room for additional natural science requirements not required by UDC-CC’s Associate of Science degree but may be required in a four-year program to which the student may decide to transfer, and allows for an area of concentration, special interest, or prerequisites for a transfer program.

Students may choose either an Associate of Science (ASNS) Biology or Chemistry concentration. Either of the programs gives the student the flexibility to fulfill the lower-division natural science requirements for transfer and to pursue a major of interest or fulfill prerequisites.

For further information please contact the division director at 801 North Capitol Street Office 617 NE Washington DC 202.274.6238.

Mission

The mission of the Associates of Science Degree in Natural Sciences (ASNS) program of study embraces various levels of educational preparation for early science disciplines. The program enables graduates to achieve educational, career mobility, and practice advancement. The program will provide a comprehensive background in various science and mathematics courses in route to acquiring high demand marketable skills and a seamless pathway to obtain a post-secondary education in STEM fields and ultimately gain employment using those skills.

Vision

The vision of the ASNS studies is to provide a positive supportive learning environment where students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills through evidence-based innovative instructions to become safe and competent scientists. The program is committed to provide an innovative, inclusive, diverse and affordable learning experience for students who will achieve their highest levels of human potential as a professional scientist.

ASNS Student-Learning Outcomes (SLOS)

Upon completion of either of these programs, a student will:

Possess an applied science background to transition into a four-year university with majors in biology or chemistry at or close to the junior-year level;
Possess a sufficient mathematics background in related fields; and
Be able to identify, understand, formulate, and solve fundamental science problems in the areas of their field.

ASNS Program Outcomes

Upon completing the program, the student will develop critical thinking skills as follows:
Observation: Making observations and gathering and presenting data in a logical fashion / appropriately.
Analysis: Analyze and make sense of the data collected.
Making Inferences: Use observation and analysis to draw appropriate conclusions.
Communication: Effectively communicate scientific findings to both scientific and lay audiences
Problem Solving. Solve problems using techniques such as trial and error, troubleshooting, modeling, and the scientific method.

Programs of Study

Program of Study (Biology Concentration) (ASNS – Biology) Effective Fall 2021

Program of Study (Chemistry Concentration) (ASNS – Chemistry) Effective Fall 2021

Accreditation & Credentialing

There are no specific accreditation requirements for the proposed ASNS degree programs. These degrees will fall within scope of general accreditation requirements for all other associate degree programs within UDC-CC.

Academic Information Admission

The UDC Office of Admissions processes applications to the University and UDC-CC, and upon admission, students identifying ASNS as a major, are assigned to a Student Success Advisor for ongoing advisement.

Admission Application Process

Admission to the program is contingent on the admission to college as students declaring their major (Associate of Science in the Natural Sciences).

The admission standards to earn an Associate degree at UDC-CC comprising of following:

UDC Community College (Associate degree programs):
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Transfer Students
- Transfer students must first follow all regulations for transfer into UDC as outlined in various University-wide publications which include, but are not limited to, the UDC website and the course catalog.
- All transcripts from the previous institution(s) must be reviewed for equivalence to grant credit in courses required to obtain the degree. The last science course must have been passed with a grade of ”C” or better within 5 years of the transfer.
High school diploma, GED or equivalent

Not currently on academic probation or suspension at another college or university (There is a two-year waiting period for those who’ve been academically dismissed from their last school.)

Progression, Academic Standing, and Course Performance Grading

The University’s grading system for ASNS is as follows:

A grade of “C’ or better is required in all courses listed on the Program of Study. The following grades are used n all courses to indicate the students’ level of achievement:

A (90-100) Excellent
B (80-89) Good
C (70-79) Satisfactory
D (60-69) Unsatisfactory (not passing)
F (Below 59) Unsatisfactory (not passing)

Grievance/Complaint and Appeal Procedures

Students have rights and responsibilities to express concerns regarding faculty-student matters and perceived problems. Students are encouraged to follow the chain of command and seek assistance from faculty members and academic advisors to resolve issues at the lowest level of authority. If the matter cannot be resolved at the level of occurrence, the student is to use the established Grievances Policy. Grade appeals that cannot be resolved at the departmental level go to the Community College Academic Appeals Committee. Complaints of discrimination http://docs.udc.edu/misc/Discrimination_Harassment_Policy.pdf can be filed with the UDC Office of Human Resources to address affirmative action, equal employment opportunities, disability-handicap-limitation accommodations, racial harassment, and sexual harassment.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

ASNS students are expected to follow the UDC Code of Student Conduct. Students at UDC assume the obligation to maintain standards of academic integrity. Violation of academic obligations includes unethical practices and acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and the facilitation of such acts. Academic integrity is expected and required for retention in the nursing program. Violations of the Contract of Civility and Respect Code of Student Conduct will result in dismissal from the ASNS program.

UDC Student Handbook

Graduation Requirements – Associate Science in Natural Science

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

ASNS Degree Requirements:

The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours, 15 of which must be in residence.
Completion of appropriate College-Wide requirements. (Refer to University Catalog).
Completion of all courses on the program of study with a minimum grade of “C.”
A 2.0-grade point average must be maintained.

Disability Statement

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) the University of the District of Columbia makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for all individuals with a disability https://www.udc.edu/cc/counseling-and-accessibility-resource-center/. The program does not discriminate against applicants because of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic background, political affiliation, or disability

Program Resources

American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Chemical Society
American Institute of Biological Sciences
American Society for Microbiology
National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Engineers
National Science Foundation
Society for Natural Sciences
UDC Biological Science 4 Year Degree Program
UDC Chemistry 4 Year Degree Program

Program Faculty

Faculty Name	Position	Department	Contact
Bushra Ahmad Saeed, PhD	Division Director	NAHLPS	bushra.ahmadsaeed@udc.edu
Anisur Rahman Palash , MD, PhD	Assistant Professor	Biology	mdanisur.rahmanpalas@udc.edu
Damon Downs, MD	Assistant Professor	Biology	damon.downs@udc.edu
Naciem Yousif	Assistant Professor	Biology	nyousif@udc.edu
Cheu P. Manka, PhD	Adjunct Professor	Biology	cheu.manka@udc.edu
Sandra Carter, PhD	Adjunct Professor	Biology	sandra.carter1@udc.edu

Advisory Board Committee

Abed Almala, PhD	Cheu Manka, PhD	Misty Handley, PhD	Souheil Ghannouchi, PhD
Anil Pyakuryal, PhD	Damon Downs, MD	Nacieum Yousif, MD	Tatiana Gonzalez, PhD
Anisur Rahman Palash, MD, PhD	Isadora Posey, PhD	Rosie Snead, D.V.M., PhD	Vonda Rogers, DNP, RN-BC
Bushra Ahmad Saeed, PhD	Kamala Deonauth, PhD	Sandra Carter, PhD	Warren Nesbitt, PhD
Cecily Jones, USPHS	Kevin Finelli, PhD	Shazia Mahzar, MD	Xuequing Song, PhD

Natural Science - ASNS