Biology, A.S. - SUNY Niagara

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Program Overview


The Biology (AS) degree program is for students with an interest and a desire to pursue an education and a career in the Biological Sciences. Its purpose is to enable students to transfer to an upper-division college or university with junior status and the ability to complete a bachelor’s degree with two additional years of full-time study. The degree program provides a seamless transfer to SUNY institutions for students with a variety of specific interests in the Biological Sciences

The mission of SUNY Niagara includes offering high-quality academic programs leading to degrees while adhering to the principles of student-centeredness, accessibility, and comprehensiveness. The Biology, AS, degree program has the rigor expected of the lower-division student but in an atmosphere of support to ensure the success of students with varying levels of preparation.  As a SUNY community college, SUNY Niagara offers the residents of Niagara County and the State of New York an affordable way to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.  A highlight of the Biology, AS, the degree program is educational opportunities in areas where local business developments will have potential employment for graduates upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree.

The degree program is designed, with particular attention paid to the transfer mobility of graduates.  The SUNY Transfer Path for Biology was used as a guide for the minimum degree requirements needed for the AS. As a result, SUNY Niagara offers the five tracks outlined in the Transfer Path.  Also, the SUNY General Education Requirements are met by graduates upon completion of the AS degree.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Enables graduates to transfer seamlessly into four-year baccalaureate programs in Biology or a Biology-related discipline.
  • A core of mathematics and science courses suitable for continued coursework at the four-year level and in support of continued education or professional endeavors upon attainment of the baccalaureate degree.
  • Individualized advisement which will assist each student when developing their educational and career goals including transfer to an upper-division institution.

Career information and opportunities

Biology, A.S.

SUNY Niagara’s Biology A.S. gives you the biology, chemistry and math you need to transfer as a junior into a bachelor’s program. It follows the SUNY Transfer Path for Biology, so your courses are built to transfer.

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What careers does a Biology A.S. lead to?

  • Lab technician
  • Forensic scientist
  • Environmental scientist
  • Conservation scientist
  • Animal scientist
  • Biochemist
  • Doctor
  • Dentist

Most of these careers need a bachelor’s degree or higher. Your A.S. is the first two years of that path.

Why start at SUNY Niagara?

  • Transfer with junior status and finish a bachelor’s degree in about two more years of full-time study
  • Complete your SUNY general education requirements
  • Get one-on-one advising on your transfer and career plans
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How much can I earn?

Median yearly pay in the U.S., May 2025
JobMedian per year
Microbiologists$87,990
Environmental scientists and specialists$82,220
Conservation scientists$73,010
Forensic science technicians$72,060
Biological technicians$57,510
Biochemists and biophysicists (usually needs a doctoral degree)$127,410

Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less. These jobs usually need at least a bachelor’s degree.

Pay depends on the job, your experience, your education and the employer.

What is the job outlook?

  • Forensic science technicians: Jobs are expected to grow 13% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than average.
  • Biochemists and biophysicists: Jobs are expected to grow 12%. That is much faster than average.
  • Biological technicians: Jobs are expected to grow 7%. That is much faster than average.
  • Microbiologists and environmental scientists: Jobs are expected to grow 6%. That is faster than average.
  • Conservation scientists: Jobs are expected to grow 4%. That is about average.

The average for all jobs is 3%. Biological technicians alone have about 9,400 openings each year across the country.

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Where do biology graduates work?

  • Research laboratories
  • Government agencies
  • Colleges and universities
  • Hospitals and health care
  • Crime labs
  • Environmental and conservation organizations

Scientific research is the biggest employer. About a third of biological technicians work in research and development.

Is the work in a lab or outdoors?

Both. Lab technicians, microbiologists and biochemists mostly work in labs. Environmental and conservation scientists often split their time between the field and the office.

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How do I get there?

  1. Choose a track that matches your interests.
  2. Build a strong base in biology, chemistry, math and physics.
  3. Finish your A.S. and transfer to a four-year school as a junior.
  4. Earn a bachelor’s degree, then go on to graduate, medical or dental school if your career needs it.

The program follows the SUNY Transfer Path for Biology (opens in a new window), which is designed to make transferring to SUNY schools seamless.

Which track fits me?

  • Biology (B.A.)
  • Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
  • Ecology, conservation and environmental biology
  • Organismal biology and physiology
  • Health sciences

Each track lines up with a SUNY Transfer Path. Your advisor helps you pick the right one for your goals.

Which courses prepare me?

  • BIO 109 General Biology I
  • BIO 110 General Biology II
  • BIO 213 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIO 221 Microbiology
  • BIO 255 Population Genetics
  • CHE 120 General Chemistry I
  • CHE 121 General Chemistry II
  • CHE 234 Organic Chemistry I
  • MAT 120 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
  • MAT 164 Introduction to Statistics

These are the courses for the Biology (B.A.) track. Other tracks swap in courses like Organic Chemistry II or physics.

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