Biology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Get ready for careers in biology and related fields! Our program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution. You’ll study living organisms and how they interact with the world. Your courses will cover topics like:
  • Genetics
  • General Chemistry
  • General Physics
Graduates can find careers in research labs, colleges, corporations, and more. If you don’t plan to transfer, you can still find entry-level jobs with an associate degree, like working as a lab assistant or in pharmaceutical sales. If you do plan to transfer, contact the school you plan to attend. Each four-year institution has different admission requirements.

Joyce Hill
Life Science Department Chair
417-447-6676

Visit Department

Accreditation

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more information on OTC accreditation.

Program Outcomes

View program outcomes

General Admissions to Ozarks Tech

Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.

Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.

At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.

We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.

APPLY NOW
COSTS & OPTIONS
PROGRAM DETAILS
REQUEST INFO
VISIT DEPARTMENT
BACK TO ALL PROGRAMS

COSTS & OPTIONS

CREDENTIAL TYPE
PROGRAM
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO:
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
COST*

Associate of Science

Biology
  • Transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree in a related field
  • Learn scientific skills supplemented by general education
  • Work in entry-level positions such as lab assistant or pharmaceutical sales representative

62 credit hours
4 semesters

$11,654.00*
to
$15,498.00*

Short-Term Training

Learn More

Accelerate your career with OTC's short-term training courses. Gain valuable skills in as little as just weeks and unlock new opportunities for success. View courses. 

Learn More

Varies by course

Not Sure Which Career is Right for You?

TAKE A CAREER ASSESSMENT TEST

PROGRAM DETAILS

Clicking on the options below will provide overview information, course sequences (when applicable), and specific course descriptions. To see a full catalog of all the offerings at OTC, visit catalog.otc.edu.

Biology (A.S.)

A.S. Degree: 62 Hours

This Associate of Science degree program prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university to major in biology. Because requirements vary at each four-year college or university, students should check with their faculty advisor or the school to which they intend to transfer to ensure they are taking the appropriate courses.

CORE 42 is a statewide general education course of study intended to ensure that all graduates possess a common core of college-level skills and knowledge. CORE 42 specifies the basic competencies and knowledge areas that all students completing degrees at a Missouri public institution of higher education must complete. CORE 42 is comprised of dozens of courses distributed across five knowledge areas. These courses are designated with a Missouri Transfer (MOTR) course number, which guarantees the one-to-one transfer of these courses among all Missouri public institutions of higher education. Please refer to MDHE Core Transfer Curriculum for detailed information on CORE 42 courses.

All knowledge areas below, designated with the CORE 42 logo indicate all courses in that area have been evaluated and provided a MOTR number for transfer to all Missouri public institutions of higher education.

The A.S. Biology degree at OTC requires the completion of 62 credit hours.  The 9 elective hours for this category can consist of any course numbered 100 or higher from any area of study that a student is eligible to enroll.  For the most accurate transferability of a course, a student should contact the institution to which they plan to transfer.

VIEW SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCES

REQUEST INFORMATION

*Notices and Disclaimers

*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.

**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.