As defined already, the force that produces 1 m/sec 2 acceleration on 1 kilogram mass is called as 1 Newton. This unit is recognized as SI unit. Since, forces are also measured in other types of units, a necessity arises to express all such units in equivalent to Newton unit of force.
AS stands for Associate of Science, a 2-year degree.
The A in B.A. or M.A. stands for arts and means that the person who received the degree focused on a liberal arts curriculum as a part of their degree program as opposed to a purely science-focused curriculum (which would earn a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree).