Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences / Biotechnology
Cutting-Edge Careers in the Biological Sciences
From the origins of life to the origination of the latest treatments for disease, there is no other field that connects you to the mysteries of life quite like the life sciences. If you’re looking for a cutting-edge career that is as challenging as it is fulfilling, the Biological Sciences department at Irvine Valley College might be for you.
Students who obtain a degree or certification from the Biological Sciences department are well-prepared to enter a number of industry sectors where demand is high, and salaries even higher. Across the country, the need for nurses is growing at a rate double that of other professions. And for those who would rather wear a lab coat than a stethoscope, the Los Angeles/Orange County metro area comprises the sixth largest life sciences hub in the nation, employing more than 100,000 people!
For students interested in entering the workforce as quickly as possible, IVC’s Biological Sciences department offers the Biotechnology – Lab Assistant Certificate of Achievement (COA), which prepares students for entry-level employment in the biotechnology industry.
Similarly, the Biotechnology – Biomanufacturing Technician Certificate of Proficiency (COP) gives students the practical skills they need to become entry-level biomanufacturing operators, media preparation assistants, purification assistants, and manufacturing technicians in the field of biomanufacturing.
More traditional, two-year Associate in Arts (AA) degrees in Biology and the Health Sciences are available for students interested in pursuing more advanced careers in the health professions, or who wish to transfer to a four-year university.
No matter what pathway students choose, successful IVC graduates will have the practical and theoretical knowledge they need to pursue challenging and future-proof careers in biotechnology, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dental hygiene, physician assisting, the health sciences and more!
High-Quality Test Prep
Students who take BIOT 278 will learn the basics of quality assurance in industry. This course prepares students to take and pass the Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) examination given by the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
Ready to launch a Future BUILT career in the Biological Sciences? It all starts at Irvine Valley College!
What You Need to Know
What Degrees and Certificates Are Available to Me?
IVC offers a variety of program types to help build your future-proof career!
Associate in Arts Degrees
These two-year college degrees are designed for students who want to gain in-depth understanding of a particular field in order to enter a specific profession or to prepare for further education at a technical or trade school, or a 4-year college or university.
IVC Offers AA Degrees in:
Biology
Health Sciences
Associate in Arts for Transfer Degrees
Like the AA, these degrees give students an in-depth understanding of a particular field but differ in that they are specifically designed to help students transfer seamlessly to a 4-year, California State University where they can complete a bachelor’s degree.
IVC Offers an AA-T in:
Biology
Certificates of Achievement
Certificates of Achievement are state-approved certificates that acknowledge workplace competencies and job readiness in a particular field. In many cases, the courses that comprise a certificate of achievement are the same as those required for an associate degree, minus the General Education courses.
IVC Offers a COA in:
Biotechnology – Lab Assistant
Certificates of Proficiency
Certificates of Proficiency acknowledge basic workplace abilities and are designed for students who want to enter the workforce quickly or upgrade their job skills. These certificates have a total credit requirement of less than 18 units and are designed and approved by local business leaders in order to make them as practical as possible.
IVC Offers a COP in:
Biotechnology – Biomanufacturing Technician
Make sure your class schedule is built for success. Visit the course catalog to see what classes you need to earn your degree or certificate in Biological Sciences.
Irvine Valley College is proud to provide our communities with affordable, accessible Career Education opportunities. For information on how financial aid, scholarships and grants can make college more affordable, visit IVC’s Financial Aid Office.
School of Life Sciences and Technologies
Department Offices: 949-451-5215
Lianna Zhao, MD
Dean
949-451-5238
Emalee Mackenzie
Instructor, Biology,
949-451-5211
IVC Biological Sciences graduates are building successful futures in careers like these, and more! Here are some in-demand job titles and their average yearly salaries.
Biological Technicians = $45,197
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists = $50,765
Nursing Assistants = $28,493
Biologists = $69,197
Registered Nurses = $92,986
Licensed Vocational Nurses = $49,478
Health Information Technicians = $41,606
Quality Control Analysts = $46,330
Average Salary In This Field
$41,606 to
$92,986 Per Year
Potential Careers
Biological Technician
Nursing Assistant
Biologist
Registered Nurse
Have Questions? Talk To A Counselor!
You’ve made an independent choice to boost your life and career through Career Education at IVC… but you’re not alone! Talk to a counselor for information on getting started, planning your career pathway, and more!