The purpose of Biology Club is to promote awareness of the various disciplines in Biological and Health Sciences, examine ways of helping students succeed, while focusing and mapping out strategies to help them. We also collaborate with various...
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B2B Biomedical Research Opportunity
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 – 2024 cohorts of the Southwestern Idaho Bridges to Baccalaureate (B2B) program. These are paid positions!
Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office Pathways Program
Are you a second-year Biology – Natural Resources major? Apply to intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working with local and regional biologist on the Service's environmental review process creating content on fish, wildlife, and plan species of concern in Idaho.
Overview
Pursuing a Biology degree from CWI provides students an opportunity to choose from a number of distinct focus areas to prepare for a variety of careers and advanced science degrees. With biology associate degrees offered in multiple discipline areas, students can focus their studies on an area of the discipline that interests them most. While being introduced to life sciences like cellular and molecular processes, organism physiology, biochemistry, botany, and genetics, students can also study more-specialized subjects like medical terminology, nutrition, anthropology, ecology, chemistry, and geology. Whether it is biochemistry, zoology, pre-med, radiology, or another life science, start with a CWI Biology program and customize a degree to meet your goals.
Biology - Areas of Study
A.S. Biology – General:
- Courses will prepare students with fundamental skills in critical thinking and analysis, data collection and management, and supporting laboratory and field technologies.
- Curriculum can be tailored to a student’s particular interest within the broad field of biology.
- Completion of the program is designed to result in an Associate of Science degree in Biology and meet the general education requirements to all Idaho public universities.
A.S. Biology – Human Biology:
- Prepare to enter professional programs in medicine, research, and biomedical engineering.
- Develop your abilities to think and reason like a scientist!
- Be amazed by you and the incredible processes happening with you.
A.S. Biology – Microbiological, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences:
- Get your hands dirty! In the first semester, students will begin designing their own experiments!
- Develop the ability to think and reason as a scientist
- Students will learn about the scientific method and critical analysis in the class and laboratory.
- Completion of the program results in an Associate of Science degree in Biology - Microbiological, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences and transfers to all Idaho public universities.
A.S. Biology – Natural Resources:
- Learn to think and reason like a scientist!
- Network with professionals working for state and federal agencies in Idaho
- Chase butterflies!
- Spend time outdoors. Our natural environment becomes your classroom.
- Completion of the program results in an Associate of Science degree in Biology - Natural Resources and meets the general education requirements to all Idaho public universities.
Mission
Our mission is to provide an outstanding and supportive educational environment that encourages student and faculty growth while promoting discovery and broad communication of knowledge about the field of biology to majors and non-majors. Graduates of our programs will have a robust foundation that will support the growth of their comprehensive knowledge of the biology and evolution of organisms as they continue with life-long learning.
What You Will Learn to Do
- How to design and run your own experiments! (Participate in Course-Based Research Experiments in most Biology classes)
- Understand how biology creates the world around us.
- Critically evaluate data and information to form your own conclusions.
- Participate in conversations about our world, environment and bodies and how these are interdependent.
Clubs
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Biology - General - Associate of Science Degree
2
YEARSAS
Biology - Human Biology - Associate of Science Degree
2
YEARSAS
Biology - Natural Resources - Associate of Science Degree
2
YEARSAS
Biology - Microbiological, Molecular, and Biomedical Science - Associate of Science Degree
2
YEARSAS
Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant - Academic Certificate
0.5
YEARAC
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | April 10 | Nov. 13, 2023 | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb. 27 | April 17 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | July 29 | Dec. 16, 2023 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug. 12 | Jan. 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 5 | Aug. 21 | Jan. 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
- BIOL 112 is best taken within a semester of completing BIOL 111 for greater success.
- Students interested in natural resources should consider taking ENVI 260, while students interested in pre-professional programs (Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, etc) should consider taking MMBS 250.
- MATH 153 and ENGL 202 are highly recommended program electives. Students may select from any program electives listed in the catalog. Students should consult transfer institutions when selecting electives for transfer.
- Remaining program electives may be selected from those listed in the catalog. Of those listed CHEM 298, CHEM 299, and MATH 160 are highly encouraged. Students should consult transfer institution programs as well.
- ANAT 111L, ANAT 112L, and BIOL 100L use the Flex Lab Model. For more information, click here.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- Nurse
- Physician's Assistant (PA)
- Radiological Technician
- Surgical Technician
- Physician (MD, DC, DO, DDS, etc.)
- Researcher (medical, biochemical, environmental, cancer, infectious diseases, etc.)
- Pharmacist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Coroner
- Mortician
- Patient Advocate
- Medical Lab Scientist (MLS)
- Laboratory Assistant
- Physical/Occupational Therapist
- Biologist Technician
- Wildlife Manager
- Conservation Biologist
- Beer and Wine Maker
- Factory Quality Control / Quality Assurance (QC/QA)
- Wildlife Biologist
- Environmental Scientist
- Forestry Biologist
- Environmental Engineer
- Rangeland Ecologist and Manager
- Food Quality and Safety Technician
- Forensic Scientist
- Water Quality and Safety Technician
- Soil Conservationist
- Animal Trainer
- Cadaver Lab Manager
- Climate Modeling Technician
- Ecologist
- Entomologist
- Environmental Educator
- Field Technician
- Fisheries Biologist
- Genetic Counselor
- Hydrologist
- Invasive Species Inspector
- Laboratory Technician
- Massage Therapist
- Nutritionist
- Ornithologist
- Park Attendant
- Park Ranger
- Pharmaceutical Sales
- Plant Scientist
- Physical Therapy (PT) Assistant
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant
- Quality Assurance (QA) Lead
- Quality Control (QC) Lead
- Research Technician
- Science Policy Analyst
- Science Teacher/Professor
- Waste Water Technician
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Professor of Biology, Dr. Steve Lysne, breaks down the different research opportunities and programs biology and science students can take advantage of while earning their degree.

The Southwestern Idaho Bridges to Baccalaureate program (SWID B2B) program is NOW accepting applications for the 2023 and 2024 cohorts of Bridges Undergraduate Student Researchers.

Join University of Idaho professor, Jason Barnes, April 13 to learn more about the Dragonfly space mission, a project to explore Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

The Pathways Program will provide appointed CWI students the opportunity to work with local and regional biologists on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s environmental review process.

CWI is excited to offer paid summer research opportunities for students through the Idaho INBRE Research Program. Apply by March 18.

Resources, training, and contests during CTL's Accessibility Week for faculty highlight how small changes can help students access and engage in courses.
Academic Transfer
- Agriculture Business, Leadership, and Education
- Animal Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Education, Elementary
- Education, Secondary
- Engineering
- English
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- Exercise Science
- General Education
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geography
- Geosciences
- Health Science and Public Health
- History
- Liberal Arts
- Mathematics
- Media Arts
- Military Science (Army ROTC)
- Nursing, Professional
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Sign Language Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Studio Art