Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Degree Focus Areas
A General Studies Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) associate’s degree prepares students for diverse transfer opportunities and allows students to begin their journey toward a variety of careers. While studying an area of their choice, students develop transferable skills that are marketable to any career path, such as analytical thinking, curiosity and creativity, independent thinking, logical reasoning, scientific and mathematical skills, communication skills, teamwork, quantitative reasoning, and technical skills.
The General Studies STEM core allows students to explore courses in meteorology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, data science, electrical engineering, engineering science, geology, mathematics, nutrition, networking, physical science, and physics. Students use the STEM core to complete prerequisite coursework to apply to health science programs, such as dental hygiene, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, and more. Students can also customize course selections to prepare for an intended transfer major where that standalone STEM major does not currently exist at the college.
Schedule with usnew window to learn more about the General Studies program, completing a General Studies STEM associate’s degree at MC, and preparing for transfer to a four-year college or university.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Construct graphic and analytical models.
- Express conclusions and implications from scientific experiments using a variety of methods and appropriate scientific language.
- Analyze and resolve real-world and abstract quantitative situations.
- Communicate, interpret, and justify results with clarity and coherence, demonstrating effective digital, written, oral and graphic communication skills.
- Utilize and apply multi-disciplinary methods of inquiry from the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics in response to a problem, task, or experience.
- Reflect on and assess their own learning as it applies to themselves as scholars and engaged citizens rooted in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Program Advising
Academic advising is integral to student success and achievement of educational goals. Meet with your program advisor regularly to talk about your academic, career and transfer plans, and to ensure you are on track for graduation. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process. Use this guide to better understand program requirements and the recommended course sequencing.
Curriculum
General requirements to complete the General Studies STEM associate’s degree include:
- a minimum of 60 credits
- an overall minimum of 15 credits at the 200-level of coursework
- a 2.0 GPA or higher
- completion of general education requirements (with one of these courses also fulfilling the global & cultural perspectives requirement)
- STEM core program requirements (15 total credits from any of the STEM discipline courses with at least 3 of the 15 credits at the 200-level)
- and electives.
Students can pursue a specific area of focus or design their own.
Choose a discipline option below to learn more about suggested courses, program advising, transfer opportunities, and career information.
- Data Science Certificate plus A.A. Degree (DATA) *
- Food Science and Nutrition *
- Pre-STEM Major *
- Pre-Nursing *
- Professional and Technical Writing
*Please meet with your program advisor and/or counselor for additional guidance.
Using the course sequence below as a starting point, meet with a general studies program advisor to choose your courses and design your own focus.
The suggested course sequence is listed below for General Studies: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Areas of Focus
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF) ‡
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD) ‡‡
- General Education Institutional Requirement 3 semester hours (GEIR)
- Elective 3 semester hours
Second Semester
- English Foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF) ‡
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours(BSSD) **
- Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (HUMD)
- Natural Sciences Distribution with or without Lab 3 semester hours (NSD)
- Elective 3 semester hours
Third Semester
- Arts Distribution 3 semester hours(ARTD or HUMD)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours(BSSD) **
- STEM Core Course 1 3 semester hours
- STEM Core Course 2 3 semester hours
- General Education Institutional Requirement 3 semester hours(GEIR)
Fourth Semester
- STEM Core Course 3 3semester hours
- STEM Core Course 4 3 semester hours
- STEM Core Course 5 3 semester hours
- Elective 3 semester hours ‡‡‡
- Elective 2 semester hours ‡‡‡
* ENGL 101/ENGL 011 if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103, or select an elective.
** Behavioral and social sciences distribution (BSSD) courses must come from different disciplines.
‡ Students should attempt ENGL and MATH foundation requirements within completion of the first 24 credits of college-level work or at the completion of any prerequisite or required non-credit coursework.
‡‡ Consult a counselor or program advisor for NSND/science course selection. Students potentially interested in science, health or engineering transfer programs should consider a 4-credit lab science course.
‡‡‡€‹ Any credit hours beyond the minimum General Education credit hours (31) or core courses are counted toward elective credit hours.
NOTE: Exact semester credit counts may vary based on specific course selections.
This program can be completed either on campus or online.
Related Programs and Courses
In addition to the General Studies STEM degree, MC offers the following STEM area degrees:
- Biological Science AS
- Bioinformatics AS
- Biotechnology AAS
- Chemistry and Biochemistry AS
- Computer Science AS
- Cybersecurity AAS
- Engineering Science AS
- Mathematics AS
- Physics AS
Montgomery College also offers the following STEM related certificates:
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.
