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Biology

Earn an Associate Degree in Biology at Aims

Are you fascinated with living things and the processes that help them grow and thrive? If you’re interested in studying how humans are impacting the natural world and how closely linked we are to our environment, an associate degree in biology is an ideal starting point for your college education.

Biology is a natural science that studies life, which seems simple but actually covers a vast amount of subject areas, including biochemistry, cellular structure, anatomy and ecosystems, to name a few. Because living things are constantly in flux and often behave unpredictably, biology is a more fluid discipline than other areas of science that rely more upon established laws and principles. This doesn’t make biology any less scientific than physics or chemistry, however. The flexibility inherent in biological processes leads to many interesting questions and studies, with fascinating and at times surprising results.

By earning a biology degree at Aims, you can go on to earn your bachelor’s while paying less in tuition. Thanks to a statewide agreement between community colleges and universities, when you earn your biology associate degree at Aims, you can transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior and earn your bachelor’s degree in biology. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save you considerable cost.

At Aims, your instructors, Pathway Advisors and coaches at the Aims Transitions Center will work together to guide you through the transfer process.

Are you excited to study biological systems and processes and pursue a career in the sciences? Explore your options for earning an associate degree in biology at Aims.

Gain Knowledge and Skills in Biology

Study an exciting variety of subjects in biology that will help you hone your career path, including:

  • Genetics
  • Molecules
  • Photosynthesis
  • Cellular processes
  • Evolution and a survey of life on earth
  • The scientific method

Biology classes at Aims are challenging and can help you learn how to persevere through those challenges. With smaller class sizes and instructors invested in your success, you’ll get support throughout your time at Aims. You’ll go on to your four-year college with more scientific skills, plus important soft skills that employers value, such as critical thinking and problem-solving.

Careers You Can Pursue With Bachelor’s or Higher Degree in Biology

In the Aims biology associate degree program, your core science courses will be in biology, but you’ll also gain exposure to other sciences because biology intersects with many other disciplines. This broader knowledge can inspire many potential career directions.

Examples of related careers you can pursue with further education include:

  • Healthcare or veterinary professional
  • Wildlife management scientist
  • Pharmacist
  • Biochemist
  • Healthcare professional
  • Physical therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Pharmaceutical scientist
  • Data analyst
  • Computer scientist
  • Agricultural biologist
  • Botanist
  • Research scientist
  • Ornithologist
  • Conservation biologist

Continue Your Biology Studies at a Colorado Four-Year Public University

Thanks to a Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement in Colorado, after graduating from Aims with an Associate of Arts degree, you can go on to study at any participating public university statewide.
 
Below is a list of colleges and universities in Colorado that are a part of this statewide agreement and offer bachelor's degrees in biology. 

Adams State University
(B.S. Biology; Cellular & Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, &
Wildlife Biology emphases)
 
Colorado Mesa University
(B.S. Biological Sciences; Biology concentration)
 
Colorado State University - Fort Collins
(B.S. Biological Sciences)
 
Colorado State University - Pueblo
(B.S. Biology)
 
Fort Lewis College
(B.S. Biology; General Biology option)
 
Metropolitan State University of Denver
(B.S. Biology)
 
University of Colorado Boulder
(B.A. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology)
 
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
(B.S. Biology)
 
University of Colorado Denver
(B.S. Biology)
 
University of Northern Colorado
(B.S. Biological Sciences; Cell & Molecular Biology, Ecology &
Evolutionary Biology, Pre-Health & Biomedical Sciences emphases)
 
Western Colorado University
(B.A. Biology; Cell Biology/Pre-medicine, Environmental Biology &
Ecology, General Biology, Pre-allied Health emphases)

Here’s what your journey from Aims to a bachelor’s degree in Biology will look like:

  1. An Aims Enrollment Coach can answer your questions about this degree transfer program and help you get started on the path to earning your degree.
  2. After becoming an Aims student, you’ll choose classes to earn your biology associate degree. Your Aims Pathway Advisor will help ensure you follow the pathway that best suits you and helps you reach your goals.
  3. Throughout your time at Aims, you'll also work with an Aims Transfer Coach to get help choosing the school you’d like to transfer to and researching what scholarships are available.
  4. You can also reach out to a transfer advisor at your chosen four-year school to make sure you're choosing classes that will support you when you go on to complete your bachelor's degree.
  5. Before graduating from Aims, your Transfer Coach will help you prepare for the transition to your new school as a junior.
Aims2UNC Program

The Aims2UNC Transition Program

Aims2UNC is a joint initiative streamlining the path for students to seamlessly transition between the two colleges. You’ll get support from dedicated Aims2UNC advisors who will guide you as you earn your associate and bachelor's degrees in biology.

Learn more

Leverage Your Associate Degree in Biology to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Related Subjects

While many Aims biology students go on to earn a bachelor’s or higher degree in this subject, some go on to study other disciplines, including:

  • Healthcare
  • Anatomy
  • Pre-veterinary science
  • Exercise science
  • Physiology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry

Because biology is such a broad science that intersects with many careers and sciences, the list above is a small sampling of potential academic pathways you can pursue with an associate degree in biology. You can also choose one of the majors above and declare a minor in biology. 

Work with your Pathway Advisor to choose the courses that you’ll need to fulfill requirements and understand that you may need to make up some credits if you choose a new major. 

Aims Biology Faculty and Staff

The biology instructors at Aims have high academic standards and are both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject areas. They care about their students and are willing to put in the time and effort to support you in achieving your academic goals.