Skip to main content

Program Navigation

Biology

Get a foundation in biology and an Associate of Science to transfer to any Colorado 4-year university.

Students reviewing books in an ACC biology class at the Littleton Campus.

Our expert faculty can help you Move Mountains toward your degree and help you gain hands-on experience.

ACC biology faculty 2022

Are you interested in living things and what makes them work? Studying biology at ACC will give you a foundation in the science of life and living organisms. Plus, getting your AS will give you the first 60 credits toward your BS at any Colorado university or toward a degree or certification in healthcare or other related fields.

ACC Admissions
Admissions
admissions [at] arapahoe.edu
Jessica Blatecky
Department Chair / Faculty
Biology
jessica.blatecky [at] arapahoe.edu

What You'll Learn

With your AS in Biology you'll be able to:

  • Approach and examine issues related to biology from an evidence-based perspective.
  • Employ scientific methodologies to develop hypotheses, design approaches to evaluate them, and critically interpret data to form conclusions.
  • Select and apply contemporary technologies to solve problems or compile information, and communicate scientific information clearly and logically.
  • Gain a comprehensive knowledge of biological concepts related to evolution, classification, ecology, molecular biology, biodiversity, and structure and function in plants, animals, and microbes.
  • Perform proper procedures and techniques in the laboratory and utilize equipment safely.

CIP 260101 (DBIO)

The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at public four-year colleges and universities as designated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) transfer agreement.

For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (36 credit hours)
Written Communication (6 credit hours)
Mathematics (5 credit hours)
Arts and Humanities (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Arts & Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)
History (3 credit hours)
Social and Behavioral Science (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Social & Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, or GT-SS3)
Natural and Physical Sciences (10 credit hours)
Additional Required Courses (20 credit hours)

Please Note: If these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.

Note(s):

*Students are strongly encouraged to seek academic advising prior to registration regarding the acceptability of online science courses if they anticipate transferring to a 4-year institution or completing graduate work in the sciences or health professions. It should be noted that per Colorado Revised Statute, §23-1-125(1)(e), general education courses taken online are guaranteed to satisfy core course (GT Pathways) requirements at all Colorado public institutions of higher education.

Elective Courses (4 credit hours)

Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.

Guaranteed Transfer
Any course in the following prefixes

Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics (2075) and Independent Study (2085): AST (1000 or higher), BIO (1000 or higher), CHE (1000 or higher), EGG (1000 or higher), MAT (1340 or higher, except 1220 or 1230), PHY (1111 or higher), or any foreign language (1011 or above).

Total: 60 credit hours

All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.

Graduation Requirements

ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.

Job Opportunities in Biology