Illinois Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
10 colleges · 363 sections · 90 unique courses · Fall 2026
Biology coursework at Illinois 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 363 sections across 10 Illinois Community Colleges 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 Illinois, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waubonsee Community College | 60 | 12 | 12 | — | — |
| Oakton College | 56 | 16 | 9 | — | — |
| Parkland College | 51 | 14 | 11 | — | — |
| Danville Area Community College | 40 | 16 | 5 | — | — |
| McHenry County College | 34 | 8 | 10 | — | — |
| Kankakee Community College | 31 | 8 | — | — | — |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 31 | 13 | — | — | — |
| Morton College | 29 | 9 | — | — | — |
| South Suburban College | 19 | 9 | 3 | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College | 12 | 7 | 5 | — | — |
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 10 colleges in Illinois this term (363 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person274 (75%)
- online55 (15%)
- hybrid34 (9%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)157
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)83
- Evening (5 PM and after)55
- Asynchronous / TBA68
Start dates
Sections begin on 12 distinct dates. 22 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 105 distinct instructors across 10 colleges.
Common Biology courses
- BIO 101Introduction to Life Science(29 sections)
- BIO 100Introducing Biology(16 sections)
- BIO 102Introduction to Biology(14 sections)
- BIO 121General College Biology I(14 sections)
- BIO 120Fundamentals of Nutrition(13 sections)
- BIO 157FUND BIOLOGY(11 sections)
- BIO 110INTRO HUMN BIOLOGY(10 sections)
- BIO 231Human Anatomy and Physiology I(10 sections)
- BIO 270Anatomy and Physiology I(10 sections)
- BIO 122General College Biology II(9 sections)
- BIOL 136LAnatomy & Physiology I Lab(8 sections)
- BIOL 1564Intro to Anatomy & Physiology(8 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 Illinois’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in Illinois
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.