Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Degree Focus Areas
Welcome to the General Studies Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Core (STEM). Here you can explore the STEM disciplines while deciding which specific major you want to complete at MC or pursue at a four-year college or university, you can complete preparatory course work necessary to apply for other programs, or you can complete your Associate’s with an emphasis on a STEM related area. You will select at least 15 credits from any of the discipline courses or individual courses within the core, including at least 3 credits at the 200 level.
Note: If you are planning to complete an MC degree in a specific STEM area (such as Biology, Chemistry, or Engineering) or planning to transfer in a science, engineering or technology area, please be sure to work with a counselor or program advisor to select the right entry level math and science courses.
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 helps students reach their educational and career goals. Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
Curriculum
As a General Studies STEM major, you will develop an interdisciplinary course of study emphasizing a variety of courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics before selecting a focused STEM related major. The STEM Core is designed to encourage student to explore these disciplines while deepening their knowledge through a selected academic focus.
In addition to exploring STEM related majors, you can pursue a specific area of focus or design your own focus.
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 counseling advisor and/or instructional advisor for more 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.
