Kentucky Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
15 colleges · 999 sections · 29 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Biology coursework at Kentucky 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 999 sections across 15 KCTCS 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 Kentucky, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | 150 | 14 | 81 | — | — |
| Somerset Community College | 115 | 9 | 48 | — | — |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | 113 | 13 | 56 | — | — |
| Gateway Community and Technical College | 96 | 10 | 64 | — | — |
| Owensboro Community and Technical College | 74 | 13 | 30 | — | — |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | 68 | 13 | 41 | — | — |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College | 63 | 10 | 28 | — | — |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | 52 | 9 | 21 | — | — |
| Madisonville Community College | 48 | 10 | 39 | — | — |
| Hopkinsville Community College | 47 | 12 | 27 | — | — |
| Hazard Community and Technical College | 44 | 9 | 37 | — | — |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | 41 | 9 | 20 | — | — |
| Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | 40 | 12 | 27 | — | — |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College | 28 | 9 | 20 | — | — |
| Henderson Community College | 20 | 6 | 10 | — | — |
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 15 colleges in Kentucky this term (999 sections total).
Delivery format
- online549 (55%)
- in person318 (32%)
- hybrid132 (13%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)252
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)140
- Evening (5 PM and after)18
- Asynchronous / TBA589
Start dates
Sections begin on 8 distinct dates. 986 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 140 distinct instructors across 15 colleges.
Common Biology courses
- BIO 137Human Ana & Phys I with Lab(375 sections)
- BIO 139Human Ana & Phys II with Lab(205 sections)
- BIO 225Medical Microbiology with Lab(97 sections)
- BIO 112Introduction to Biology(86 sections)
- BIO 135Basic Anatomy/Physiology w/Lab(69 sections)
- BIO 113Intro to Biology Laboratory(68 sections)
- BIO 120Human Ecology(18 sections)
- BIO 150Principles of Biology I(12 sections)
- BIO 151Principles of Biology Lab I(12 sections)
- BIO 121Human Ecology Laboratory(10 sections)
- BIO 114Biology I(6 sections)
- BIO 115Biology Laboratory I(6 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 Kentucky’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in Kentucky
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.