North Dakota Community Colleges
Biology Programs
Biology coursework across community colleges in this state. Anatomy, microbiology, and pre-health science transfer pathways.
5 colleges · 236 sections · 22 unique courses · Spring 2026 · Updated today
Biology coursework at North Dakota 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 236 sections across 5 NDUS 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 North Dakota, 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | 113 | 14 | 22 |
| North Dakota State College of Science | 58 | 14 | 12 |
| Williston State College | 31 | 5 | 11 |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | 22 | 12 | 13 |
| Lake Region State College | 12 | 7 | 4 |
Biology Availability Snapshot
How biology sections are being offered across 5 colleges in North Dakota this term (236 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person174 (74%)
- online62 (26%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)67
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)59
- Evening (5 PM and after)4
- Asynchronous / TBA106
Start dates
Sections begin on 5 distinct dates. 216 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 71 distinct instructors across 5 colleges.
Common Biology courses
- BIOL 221Anatomy and Physiology II(46 sections)
- BIOL 221LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab(30 sections)
- BIOL 220Anatomy and Physiology I(28 sections)
- BIOL 151General Biology II(22 sections)
- BIOL 220LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab(18 sections)
- BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab(15 sections)
- BIOL 111Concepts of Biology(13 sections)
- BIOL 115Concepts of Anatomy & Physiology(12 sections)
- BIOL 150General Biology I(11 sections)
- BIOL 124Environmental Science(10 sections)
- BIOL 150LGeneral Biology I Lab(9 sections)
- BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab(4 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 North Dakota’s biology programs stack up.
Other programs in North Dakota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.