Alabama Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
14 colleges · 574 sections · 14 unique courses · Fall 2026
Biology coursework at Alabama community colleges sits at the foot of the pre-health pipeline: pre-nursing, pre-med, pre-pharmacy, pre-dental, and pre-PT students all complete their lower-division biology — anatomy, physiology, microbiology, general biology — at community college tuition rates before transferring or applying to professional programs. The 574 sections across 14 ACCS institutions this term include the lab-heavy sequences that admissions committees specifically look for.
A standalone biology associate isn't directly career-track — most biology careers require a bachelor's or graduate degree — but the credits transfer cleanly to four-year biology programs in Alabama, and the lab experience builds the foundation health-profession schools expect. Compare colleges below for online vs in-person section availability; many programs require live lab attendance even when lecture is online.
Colleges offering Biology
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Alabama Community College | 109 | 7 | 69 | — | — |
| John C Calhoun State Community College | 70 | 7 | 28 | — | — |
| Gadsden State Community College | 51 | 8 | 17 | — | — |
| Lawson State Community College | 47 | 8 | 22 | — | — |
| Southern Union State Community College | 42 | 8 | 2 | — | — |
| Shelton State Community College | 39 | 8 | 17 | — | — |
| Bishop State Community College | 38 | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| Snead State Community College | 36 | 6 | 15 | — | — |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | 35 | 6 | 7 | — | — |
| Northwest Shoals Community College | 35 | 7 | 19 | — | — |
| H Councill Trenholm State Community College | 26 | 8 | 19 | — | — |
| Central Alabama Community College | 24 | 5 | 2 | — | — |
| J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College | 16 | 6 | 8 | — | — |
| Reid State Technical College | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | — |
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 14 colleges in Alabama this term (574 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person259 (45%)
- online235 (41%)
- hybrid80 (14%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)226
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)82
- Evening (5 PM and after)62
- Asynchronous / TBA204
Start dates
Sections begin on 10 distinct dates. 51 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 149 distinct instructors across 14 colleges.
Common Biology courses
- BIO 103PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I(214 sections)
- BIO 201HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I(123 sections)
- BIO 202HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II(75 sections)
- BIO 220GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY(52 sections)
- BIO 101INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY I(42 sections)
- BIO 104PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II(35 sections)
- BIO 120MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY(18 sections)
- BIO 102INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY II(9 sections)
- BIO 111SURVEY OF HUMAN BIOLOGY(1 section)
- BIO 113History of Biology(1 section)
- BIO 150Human Biology(1 section)
- BIO 203Techniques in Molecular Bio(1 section)
Frequently asked questions
- Can I take pre-med biology courses at a community college?
- Yes, and many med-school applicants do — at lower tuition and often with smaller class sizes than at a four-year. The caveat: med schools sometimes prefer to see at least the upper-division biology (cell, genetics, biochemistry) taken at a four-year institution. Talk to a pre-health advisor early; the strategy varies by which med schools you're targeting.
- Do biology lab credits transfer to a bachelor's program?
- Usually yes for general bio, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology — the standard pre-health four. Specialized labs (organic chemistry lab, biochemistry lab, upper-division cell biology lab) often need to be retaken at the four-year because the lab equipment and protocols differ. Confirm with the target program before enrolling.
- What can I do with just a biology associate degree?
- Limited but real: biological technician roles (lab tech at research institutions, pharma quality-control, environmental monitoring), some health-care support roles (medical assistant if combined with appropriate certifications), and entry-level government inspection roles. The strongest direct-career CC pathways for the bio-curious are nursing, dental hygiene, and medical lab technology — career-track programs rather than the transfer-track biology associate.
- How long is the biology associate?
- Two years full-time. Pre-health students often take it in 2.5–3 years to fit in the additional chemistry and physics courses that med, PT, dental, and pharmacy schools require in addition to the standard biology sequence.
Compare Biology programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Alabama’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in Alabama
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.