Biology Transfer Program
Biologists are employed in a wide variety of fieldsincluding: research, teaching, industry, governmentalagencies, consulting firms in environmental work,health, and wildlife. Some positions are open to holdersof the bachelor’s degree, but most opportunities exist atthe master’s and doctoral levels of preparation. Most biologistsneed a broad background in the natural sciences,mathematics, and communication skills.
Students may prepare themselves for transfer fornearly any biology-related bachelor’s degree, and theyshould be aware of the options in Montana. The biologydepartment at The University of Montana - Missoulaoffers the following options: Biology Education (see Educationin this catalog), Cellular and Molecular Biology,Ecology and Organismal Biology (listed as Botanical orZoological Sciences in previous catalogs), Field Ecology,Ecology for Teacher Preparation in General Science (seeEducation Section in this catalog), Human Biological Sciences,and Natural History. The Ecology and OrganismalBiology and the Human Biological Sciences curriculumseach have options of one or two years of Chemistry.The biology department at Montana State University- Bozeman offers: Ecology and Evolution, BiomedicalSciences, Biology Teaching (see Education in this catalog),and Fish and Wildlife Management (See WildlifeBiology in this catalog.)
The intent of this program is togenerally prepare students for biology-related programsfor Montana universities, including The University of Montana - Missoula, Montana Tech, and Montana StateUniversity - Bozeman, and most other four-year institutions.
Students should choose from among the recommendedcourses below with the close assistance of their advisor.Those with inadequate preparation to begin these coursescan expect more than two years to ready themselves fortransfer to the junior level. Close attention should be paidto specific program requirements at your desired fouryearcollege or university.
Advisor:
Dr. Ruth Wrightsman
RH/SAT 132
(406) 756-3878
rwrights@fvcc.edu
Transfer Notes for Associate of Science Degree Students
The Associate of Science (AS) degree requires 60 credits at FVCC,and the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree at Montana UniversitySystem (MUS) colleges and universities requires 120 credits. FVCCstudents can usefully earn as many as 75-85 credits in preparationfor many transfer majors, thus reducing the number of creditsrequired for the BS degree at MUS schools. Also, by earning the ASdegree from FVCC, students will have satisfied the lower divisionGeneral Education Core (see page 54 for requirements) for allMUS institutions and will not be required to meet additionallower division general education core requirements upon transfer.The suggested course load in AS programs is rigorous and isrecommended for only the most prepared students. A moremoderate semester credit load can be achieved by taking generaleducation core courses during summer terms or completing one ortwo additional semesters at FVCC before transfer.