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Biology Minor

A minor in biology can help you enhance your degree with an additional scientific focus, broadening your skills and better preparing you for career opportunities.

You should declare your intention to complete a biology minor when formally requesting admission to a major program. It is the your responsibility to obtain information about the minor and to complete the required courses. At the time of application for graduation, you must indicate that you wish to be certified for the minor.

The requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.

Why minor in biology?

Minoring in biology can be a great choice depending on your interests and career goals. Here are some reasons why it might be beneficial:

1. Complement Your Major

  • If you're majoring in psychology, chemistry, environmental science, or public health, a biology minor strengthens your understanding of life sciences and helps you connect concepts across disciplines.
  • For computer science or engineering majors, it can be useful for fields like bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, or artificial intelligence in healthcare.

2. Expand Career Opportunities

  • A biology minor can make you more competitive for jobs in healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and research.
  • If you're interested in science communication, policy, or business, understanding biology can be a great asset in roles like medical writing, biotech consulting, or healthcare management.

3. Pre-Health and Medical Fields

  • If you’re considering medical school, dental school, veterinary medicine, or PA school, a biology minor helps cover important prerequisite coursework.
  • Even if you're majoring in something like psychology or business, a biology minor keeps your options open for healthcare careers.

4. Enhance Scientific Literacy

  • Biology is relevant to many global challenges, like climate change, pandemics, and genetic engineering. Understanding biology helps you engage in informed discussions and decision-making.

5. Personal Interest and Curiosity

  • If you love learning about how living organisms work, evolution, genetics, or neuroscience, a biology minor allows you to explore these topics without committing to a full major.