At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This minor is designed for students in non-Life Science majors, who desire to obtain an in-depth and well-rounded knowledge of Biology -- the science of life and living organisms. This minor is not intended for "Life Science" oriented majors, including Biological Anthropology, Premedicine, and Science, Life Science option. After taking an introductory survey course which exposes students to the basics of Biology, including the chemistry of life, cell structure, genetics, mechanisms of evolution and evolutionary history of biological diversity, plant and animal form and function, and ecology, students select additional courses based on their biological emphasis to account for a total of 18-20 credits. In conjunction with the student's major, the minor prepares students for entry to graduate school or professional school programs, as well as for technical or research careers with governmental agencies or industry. Majors complemented by this minor would include but not be limited to other life and physical sciences, engineering, and business.
What is Biology?
Biology is the scientific study of life: the diversity and organization of organisms, from single-celled bacteria to multi-cellular plants and animals, including humans. These different levels of biological organization range from the molecules and cells that compose an organism, to the interacting organisms that make up an ecosystem.
You Might Like this Program If...
- You want to complement your major by acquiring additional knowledge and skills in biology.
- You have an interest in learning more about biology, but do not have enough time to complete the major.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18-20 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| BIOL 110 | Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity  | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 7-8 credits of the following: | 7-8 | |
| Mammalian Anatomy | ||
| Introduction to Human Physiology | ||
| Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Lecture | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Lecture | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Laboratory | ||
| Biology: Populations and Communities | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Biology: Molecules and Cells | ||
| Biology: Function and Development of Organisms | ||
| Genetic Analysis | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6-9 credits from 400-level Biology courses 1 | 6-9 | |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Barbara DeHart
Director, Undergraduate Biology Advising
227 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2329
psubioadvising@psu.edu
Abington
Eric Ingersoll
Program Chair
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7492
epi1@psu.edu
Altoona
Laura Palmer
Associate Professor of Biology
Hawthorn Building 109
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5205
lkp3@psu.edu
Berks
Maureen Dunbar
Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
Luerssen 101H
Reading, PA 19610
640-396-6328
BKBiology@psu.edu
Brandywine
Mick Yoder
Assistant Professor of Biology
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1462
mdy103@psu.edu
Erie
Adam Simpson, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology
180 Benson
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6544
ams1122@psu.edu
Mont Alto
Lauraine Hawkins
Assistant Professor of Biology
208 Science and Technology Building
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6237
lkh1@psu.edu
Scranton
Dale Holen
Associate Professor
Dawson 207
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2579
dah13@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Lucas Redmond
Program Coordinator, Biology
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6167
ljr5322@psu.edu
York
Anne Vardo-Zalik
Associate Professor of Biology
1 Elias Science Building
York, PA 17403
717-718-6705
amv12@psu.edu
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
228 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2329
https://science.psu.edu/bio/contact-us
Abington
DIVISION OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7300
epi1@psu.edu
https://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/majors-at-abington/biology
Altoona
DIVISION OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES
Hawthorn Building 109
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5205
lkp3@psu.edu
https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/biology
Berks
DIVISION OF SCIENCE
Luerssen Science Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6328
BKBiology@psu.edu
Brandywine
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1459
mdy103@psu.edu
https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/minors/biology
Erie
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
1 Prischak
4205 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6105
behrend-science@psu.edu
https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-science
Mont Alto
BIOLOGY
208 Science and Technology Building
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6237
lkh1@psu.edu
https://montalto.psu.edu/academics/bachelors/minors
Scranton
Dawson 211
120 Ridge View Drive
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2529
mih10@psu.edu
https://scranton.psu.edu/academics/minors-programs/biology
Schuylkill
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6167
ljr5322@psu.edu
https://schuylkill.psu.edu/academics/degrees/minors
York
1 Elias Science Building
York, PA 17403
717-718-6705
amv12@psu.edu