Student looking through a microscope

Biology

The Biology program at Houston City College introduces students to life at every level—from microbes to plants, animals, and the human body. Coursework includes microbiology, anatomy and physiology, zoology, botany, nutrition, genetics, and introductory biotechnology.

Education Tracks

Programs

Degree

Biology Majors & Pre‐Medical Programs, A.S.

Associate of Science (AS)
Education track: University Transfer

The Associate of Science in Biology is intended primarily for students planning on transferring to a senior college or university to receive a baccalaureate degree in the following areas: computer science, engineering, health and natural sciences, or mathematics.

To be eligible for an Associate in  Arts (AA), an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), or an Associate in Science (AS) degree from HCC, a student must successfully:

Complete at least 60 semester hours of credit as follows: (a) for the AA degree, 43 hours of required core courses and 17 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major (b) for the AAT degree, 44 hours of required core courses plus 16-18 hours of required pre-teaching courses (c) for the AS degree, 43 hours of required core courses plus six additional hours of mathematics, four additional hours of natural science, and 7 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major.

A student who has received an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution must meet specific requirements to earn an additional degree from HCC.

  • The student must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours at HCC for each additional degree. These hours may not repeat credit applied from a previous HCC degree.  These hours may not be satisfied through credit by exam.
  • All additional hours must be applicable toward the additional degree. If the student has prior credit in required courses, appropriate substitutions may be arranged.
  • All courses required by the specific HCC program of the additional degree must be completed.
  • A grade point average of at least 2.0 must be earned on all hours since the previous degree.
  • Academic courses from previous degrees may be applied to an additional AAS degree required academic core where equivalent and appropriate, which waives the need for approval, except where program restrictions prevail.
  • If the first degree was an Associate in Arts, an Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate in Science, a bachelor degree, or higher degree from an accredited educational institution in the United States, the student will be considered to be “Core Complete”, thus needing to complete only the requirement of 18 additional semester hours at HCC toward a new associate degree.
  • Each additional academic associate degree obtained from HCC must be of a different type.  Thus, a student may only obtain one Associate in Arts, one Associate of Arts in Teaching, and/or one Associate in Science from HCC. For example, if one degree from HCC was an AA, then any additional degrees must be an AAT, AS, or AAS.
  • Multiple Associate of Applied Science degrees may be earned from HCC if all AAS program requirements are met including earning at least 18 additional semester hours at HCC, 12 of which must be earned in the major program of the additional degree. In most cases, however, there is only one AAS degree allowable per workforce program. See counselor or program chair for clarification.
  • Multiple workforce Certificates of Completion may be earned from HCC if all program requirements are met for each certificate including earning at least 9 additional unique semester hours at HCC toward the major program of the additional certificate.
  • All other state and institutional graduation requirements, including TSI policies and financial obligations, must be met.

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Dr. Chukwuemeka Opara

Degree

Biology, Health Sciences Professions, A.S.

Associate of Science (AS)
Education track: University Transfer

The Associate of Science in Biology is intended primarily for students planning on transferring to a senior college or university to receive a baccalaureate degree in the following areas: computer science, engineering, health and natural sciences, or mathematics.

To be eligible for an Associate in  Arts (AA), an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), or an Associate in Science (AS) degree from HCC, a student must successfully:

Complete at least 60 semester hours of credit as follows: (a) for the AA degree, 43 hours of required core courses and 17 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major (b) for the AAT degree, 44 hours of required core courses plus 16-18 hours of required pre-teaching courses (c) for the AS degree, 43 hours of required core courses plus six additional hours of mathematics, four additional hours of natural science, and 7 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major.

 

A student who has received an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution must meet specific requirements to earn an additional degree from HCC.

  • The student must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours at HCC for each additional degree. These hours may not repeat credit applied from a previous HCC degree.  These hours may not be satisfied through credit by exam.
  • All additional hours must be applicable toward the additional degree. If the student has prior credit in required courses, appropriate substitutions may be arranged.
  • All courses required by the specific HCC program of the additional degree must be completed.
  • A grade point average of at least 2.0 must be earned on all hours since the previous degree.
  • Academic courses from previous degrees may be applied to an additional AAS degree required academic core where equivalent and appropriate, which waives the need for approval, except where program restrictions prevail.
  • If the first degree was an Associate in Arts, an Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate in Science, a bachelor degree, or higher degree from an accredited educational institution in the United States, the student will be considered to be “Core Complete”, thus needing to complete only the requirement of 18 additional semester hours at HCC toward a new associate degree.
  • Each additional academic associate degree obtained from HCC must be of a different type.  Thus, a student may only obtain one Associate in Arts, one Associate of Arts in Teaching, and/or one Associate in Science from HCC. For example, if one degree from HCC was an AA, then any additional degrees must be an AAT, AS, or AAS.
  • Multiple Associate of Applied Science degrees may be earned from HCC if all AAS program requirements are met including earning at least 18 additional semester hours at HCC, 12 of which must be earned in the major program of the additional degree. In most cases, however, there is only one AAS degree allowable per workforce program. See counselor or program chair for clarification.
  • Multiple workforce Certificates of Completion may be earned from HCC if all program requirements are met for each certificate including earning at least 9 additional unique semester hours at HCC toward the major program of the additional certificate.
  • All other state and institutional graduation requirements, including TSI policies and financial obligations, must be met.

 

Have Questions?

We are here to help.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Opara

Career Outlook

This overview highlights key labor market indicators for careers in this field in the Houston area, including the number of currently employed, the median annual salary for the occupation, and the job growth.

Currently Employed

65,709

65,709 currently employed in the Greater Houston area.

Average Salary

$75,172

50th percentile (median) salary range for accountants in the Houston area.

Projected Growth

4.2%

4.2% projected growth for 2026-2030.