Minnesota Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
26 colleges · 781 sections · 172 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Biology coursework at Minnesota 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 781 sections across 26 Minnesota State 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 Minnesota, 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
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Biology is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 26 colleges in Minnesota this term (781 sections total).
Delivery format
- online364 (47%)
- in person227 (29%)
- hybrid190 (24%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)237
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)144
- Evening (5 PM and after)55
- Asynchronous / TBA345
Start dates
Sections begin on 1 distinct date.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 273 distinct instructors across 26 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
Plan all required coursesProgram Requirements: 30 Credits
30 creditsChoose one of the Restricted Biology Electives:
Choose 14 credits from 16 approved courses
Catalog group: Choose at least 14 credits from additional Math and Science electives:
General Education/MnTC Requirements: 30 credits
30 creditsSee catalog for course list
A. Written (one course required)
B. Oral (one course required)
Goal 03: Natural Sciences
Goal 04: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
Semester One (14-15 Credits)
14 creditsSemester Two (14-15 Credits)
14 creditsSemester Three (15-16 Credits)
15 creditsSemester Four (15-16 Credits)
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
Century College1 program
Goal 1: Communication
Goal 3: Natural Sciences
Goal 4: Math/Logical Reasoning
- ELEC XXXSelect two (MATH 1061 or higher)not offered+ plan
- MATH 1061College Algebra I19 sections+ plan
- MATH 1062College Algebra II with Trigonometry4 sections+ plan
- MATH 1070Survey of Calculusnot offered+ plan
- MATH 1081Single Variable Calculus I2 sections+ plan
- MATH 1082Single Variable Calculus II2 sections+ plan
Semester 1
Semester 2
- BIOL 1042Principles of Biology II1 section+ plan
- CHEM 1042Principles of Chemistry II1 section+ plan
- ENGL 1021Composition I58 sections+ plan
- ELEC XXXSelect onenot offered+ plan
- COMM 1021Fundamentals of Public Speaking13 sections+ plan
- COMM 1031Interpersonal Communication26 sections+ plan
- COMM 1041Small Group Communication6 sections+ plan
- COMM 1051Intercultural Communication10 sections+ plan
Semester 3
Semester 4
Source: College catalog
Inver Hills Community College1 program
General Education Curriculum: 32 Credits
32 credits- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 4 courses to fulfill at least 8 Credits Option 1: MATH 1103 - Introduction to Statistics and MATH 1118 - College Algebra I or higher-level course (e g Calculus) Option 2: Two courses from Math; must be MATH 1118 or higher-level courses (e g Calculus)not offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 5 course 3 Creditsnot offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 6 course 3 Creditsnot offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXGeneral electives (MnTC courses only) 8-9 Creditsnot offered+ plan
Semester 1: 15 Credits
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 3: 15 Credits
15 creditsSemester 4: 13 Credits
13 creditsSemester 1: 8 Credits
8 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 2: 9 Credits
9 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 3: 9 Credits
9 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 4: 8 Credits
8 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 5: 10 Credits
10 creditsSemester 6: 10 Credits
10 creditsSemester 7: 6 Credits
6 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
Saint Paul College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
Plan all required coursesCourse
Program Electives
Subtotal: 26 Credits
26 creditsSee catalog for course list
General Education Requirements: 34 Credits
34 creditsSee catalog for course list
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Source: College catalog
Common Biology courses
- BIOL 1100Unifying Concepts in Biology(27 sections)
- BIOL 1020Biology Concepts(22 sections)
- BIOL 1217Nutrition and Wellness(21 sections)
- BIOL 2041Human Anatomy(20 sections)
- BIOL 2260Human Anatomy and Physiology I(19 sections)
- BIOL 1110Field Biology(18 sections)
- BIOL 1140Human Anatomy and Physiology I(17 sections)
- BIOL 1120Exploring Biology(15 sections)
- BIOL 1005Medical Terminology(14 sections)
- BIOL 2261Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab(14 sections)
- BIOL 1001Biology I(14 sections)
- BIOL 1740General Biology 1: The Living Cell(13 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 Minnesota’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in Minnesota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.