Biology, Minor

Program Code: BIOL_UMNR

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).

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
BIOL 110Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity Keystone/General Education Course4
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 Keystone/General Education Course
Physiology Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Lecture Keystone/General Education Course
Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Laboratory Keystone/General Education Course
Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Lecture Keystone/General Education Course
Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Laboratory Keystone/General Education Course
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 16-9
1

BIOL 400, BIOL 496, and SC 495 credits may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

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/contact-information

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

https://www.york.psu.edu/academics/baccalaureate/minors