Hawaii Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
6 colleges · 887 sections · 123 unique courses · Fall 2026
Biology coursework at Hawaii 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 887 sections across 6 UHCC 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 Hawaii, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Community College | 285 | 123 | 54 | — | — |
| Kauai Community College | 285 | 123 | 54 | — | — |
| Leeward Community College | 285 | 123 | 54 | — | — |
| Kapiolani Community College | 16 | 10 | 7 | — | — |
| Hawaii Community College | 14 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Windward Community College | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 6 colleges in Hawaii this term (887 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person718 (81%)
- online169 (19%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)378
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)365
- Evening (5 PM and after)3
- Asynchronous / TBA141
Start dates
Sections begin on 2 distinct dates. 6 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 74 distinct instructors across 6 colleges.
Common Biology courses
- BIOL 171L0Introduction to Biology I Lab(99 sections)
- BIOL 172L0Introduction to Biology II Lab(51 sections)
- BIOL 275L0Cell and Molecular Biology Lab(42 sections)
- BIOL 2750Cell and Molecular Biology(33 sections)
- BIOL 375L0Genetics Laboratory(24 sections)
- BIOL 395C0Teaching Internship: Oral Emphasis(21 sections)
- BIOL 130L5Anatomy and Physiology Lab(18 sections)
- BIOL 3750Genetics(18 sections)
- BIOL 2200Biostatistics(15 sections)
- BIOL 1305Anatomy and Physiology(12 sections)
- BIOL 395B0Teaching Internship: General(12 sections)
- BIOL 485L0Biology of Invertebrates Lab(12 sections)
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 Hawaii’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in Hawaii
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.