Houston Community College's Southwest College, which includes the Alief, West Loop and Stafford campuses, offers courses in Biology, Microbiology, and Anatomy & Physiology.

The Department serves a diverse group of students varying in age, career goals and life experiences. The faculty is also a diverse group, with instructors from backgrounds including medicine, research, and laboratory technology providing students with a broad range of knowledge and experience.

The Department prides itself in providing rigorous courses that ensure students are prepared to meet their specific goals, from fulfilling core curriculum science requirements, to pursuing careers in healthcare and science.

Courses consist of lecture and laboratory sessions, with labs reinforcing concepts introduced during lectures. Lab sessions provide students with opportunities to conduct various experiments, perform dissections, and gain experience in the use of laboratory instruments such as microscopes.