Missouri Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
8 colleges · 498 sections · 58 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Biology coursework at Missouri 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 498 sections across 8 MCCA 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 Missouri, 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 →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | 107 | 13 | 26 |
| St Charles Community College | 98 | 19 | 35 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | 77 | 6 | — |
| Jefferson College | 75 | 12 | 16 |
| State Fair Community College | 73 | 9 | 19 |
| East Central College | 28 | 9 | 6 |
| Crowder College | 20 | 2 | 2 |
| Mineral Area College | 20 | 3 | 6 |
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Missouri this term (498 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person348 (70%)
- online110 (22%)
- hybrid40 (8%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)188
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)97
- Evening (5 PM and after)45
- Asynchronous / TBA168
Start dates
Sections begin on 10 distinct dates. 47 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 136 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Saint Louis Community College2 programs
St Charles Community College6 programs
Common Biology courses
- BIO 100LIFE SCIENCE(41 sections)
- BIOL 101General Biology(40 sections)
- BIO 207Hum Anat&Phys II Lec&Lab(26 sections)
- BIO 211Anatomy & Physiology I(24 sections)
- BIO 105ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE(23 sections)
- BIO 135NUTRITION FOR LIVING(22 sections)
- BIO 101Intro Life Science(20 sections)
- BIO 208Vertebrate Physiology(16 sections)
- BIO 110General Ecology(15 sections)
- BIOL 110Human Anatomy(15 sections)
- BIO 1150General Biology MOTR BIOL150L(14 sections)
- BIOL 132Human Nutrition(14 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 Missouri’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in Missouri
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.