Program Overview
The courses required under this program will give students an excellent and broad foundation on which to further their studies. Most courses in the program have required laboratory components to allow first-hand experience. A lab fee is charged for these courses. Biology is a broad discipline that can lead to a variety of employment opportunities or academic majors. To allow students more flexibility in matching the Biology AS to their future career path, we are providing two options of emphasis:
1) Anatomy and Physiology Emphasis: Helps prepare pre-medical, pre-physician's assistant, pre-pharmacy, and pre-dental students to meet prerequisite requirements to apply for professional schools
2) Integrative Biology Emphasis: For those students interested in pursuing careers in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, evolutionary biology, wildlife biology, research, or meeting prerequisites to apply to veterinary school.
Career Opportunities
An associate's degree in biology can offer employment opportunities as a technician in the field of conservation, environmental science or health with a median wage of about $40,000/year in the state of Utah, according to the Department of Workforce services (2024). For students who complete the A.S. in Biology at SLCC, and then transfer to a four-year school to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, the career opportunities increase substantially to include Microbiologists, Wildlife Biologists and Forensic Scientists to name a few. The median wage also increases to about $70,000 annually, both in Utah and nationally (UDWS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). A Bachelor's Degree in Biology can also help meet prerequisites for application to medical, physician's assistant, pharmacy, dental, and veterinary schools.
What You Will Learn
- Identify key principles of evolution and how evolution explains the unity and diversity of life.
- Describe the chemical basis of life, including the structure and function of biomolecules, and the hierarchy of biological organization from atoms to ecosystems.
- Identify and compare key processes of life, including membrane transport, cell signaling, and cellular respiration.
- Describe cellular and organismal reproductive cycles and how genetic information is transmitted and expressed.
- Identify and compare the characteristics of major groups in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
- Predict the effects of ecological interactions and processes on individuals and groups of organisms.
- Demonstrate the use of laboratory research techniques and collect, interpret, and analyze data.
- Apply biological principles to the fields of cell biology, genetics, microbiology, ecology, anatomy, or physiology.
Transfer Pathway
Upon finishing the requirements for an AS degree in Biology, and after acceptance into a major program, a student should be able to obtain a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution with two additional years of study. A full year of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus and physics is highly recommended for any student transferring to a four-year institution.
Estimated Cost
- Tuition and Fees
- Books: $80
- Supplies: $30
- Course Fees: $180
Note: Fees vary based upon specific registration and are subject to changes.
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.
Additional Information
Program Entry Requirements
Preparation Note: Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses should plan on extra time to complete the program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their Program Advisor to discuss their course schedules and course taking pathway.