Natural Sciences: Biology Concentration
Please note: Students are no longer being accepted into this program.
Have you always wondered about what makes living things work? Do you dream about making new discoveries to help cure diseases? Are you curious about the adaptations of different plants and animals? If you answer yes to any of these questions, a degree in biology might be a great career path for you.
At Genesee Community College you can earn a Liberal Arts Associate of Natural Science Degree with a concentration in Biology. Genesee’s biology classes open up the natural world to you by revealing the intricacies of life, from the cellular level in a laboratory to the complex community and ecosystem levels in the campus woods, to high-tech science laboratories around the world. With a concentration in Biology, you will have a working knowledge of how life works and the skills and techniques necessary to conduct laboratory research. Successful completion of a GCC A.S. degree allows you to continue your studies as a third year student in any SUNY four-year college or university, or you can transfer to a private institution.
Why GCC?
19:1 – As a ratio, that is the average number of students in class to each GCC faculty member. That means small classes and plenty of one-on-one instruction. GCC also offers free tutoring to help students individually in areas of specific need. Additionally, state-of-the-art technology has always been a priority at GCC — from the new Food Processing Technology lab to the Nature Trail on the west side of campus, the dozens of online databases available at library and smart classrooms and WiFi across all campus locations. There are also 26 open-access computer labs.
Finally, GCC is friendly and prides itself on being flexible and accessible. Classes are offered day and night at seven campus locations, and each semester more than 100 courses are offered online. There are also nine different academic sessions each year, allowing you to create a course schedule that accommodates employment or family care responsibilities.
Degree Types
Natural Sciences: Biology Concentration (AS)
Career Outlook
In New York State, the average annual wage for an occupation in Biology is approximately $49,850 for entry level workers and $96,390 for experienced workers. Among the many careers that can begin with a foundation in Biology from GCC:
- Analysts (multiple fields)
- Biochemist
- Biodefense Specialist
- Botanist
- Cell Biologist
- Biochemist
- Conservationist
- Developmental Biologist
- Ecologist
- Entomologist
- Environmental Scientist
- Epidemiologist
- Food Technologists
- Forensic Scientist
- Genetic Counselor
- Geneticist
- Geographer
- Geologist
- Hematologist
- Herpetologist
- Hydrologist
- Immunologist
- Land Surveyor
- Marine Biologist
- Microbiologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Natural Resources Specialist
- Oceanographer
- Oncologist
- Operations Analyst
- Pathologist
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Policy Analyst
- Professor / Teacher
- Research Consultant
- Researcher
- Seismologist
- Structural Biologist
- Sustainability Officer
- Toxicologist
- Veterinarian
- Virologist
- Zoologist
Contact Career Services for more information.
Transfer Opportunities
Starting at GCC saves many students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an A.S. or A.A. degree you will be able to seamlessly transfer within the SUNY network of 64 college and universities as well as to many 4-year private institutions. GCC’s A.S. and A.A. programs were developed as part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative allowing students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree as a freshman and a sophomore at a community college, then seamlessly transfer to a SUNY four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please reference the SUNY Transfer Pathways for degree programs to learn about any campus specific requirements. Visit the SUNY Core Course Finder to plan out the courses you should complete to transfer to a 4-year SUNY School.
If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year private institution you should work with our Transfer Services office to learn about possible articulation agreements and pathways that exist for many or our degree programs. Some GCC A.A.S. programs also have transfer opportunities.
Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Canisius College*
- Daemen College
- Nazareth College*
- Niagara University*
- Medaille College
- Roberts Wesleyan College
- St. John Fisher College*
- SUNY College at Brockport
- SUNY College at Buffalo*
- SUNY College of ESF
- SUNY College at Geneseo
- SUNY University at Buffalo*
- SUNY Upstate Medical*
*GCC has current transfer agreements with the above noted institutions.
To learn more about these opportunities and agreements contact the Transfer Services Office, we are more than happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have on building your own personalized transfer plan.
Next Steps
View our enrollment checklist and apply today.
See our classrooms, facilities and housing.
See tuition and explore financial aid options.
Make a plan to transfer your credits.