Biological Sciences (Minor)


At a Glance: program details

Minor Map

Are you fascinated by the living world? Open up the secrets of that world in ways that satisfy your desire to know more while complementing your major in surprising ways.

Program Description

Biological science encompasses the study of all living things and includes the study of basic organization and function, how organisms evolve, their roles in the natural environment, how hereditary information is transferred, and the development of biotechnology.

The minor in biological sciences is a program designed to provide students with a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to their interests.


Program Requirements

The minor in biological sciences requires a minimum of 24 credit hours, of which at least 12 credit hours must be upper division. At least six of the upper-division credit hours must be from courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The remaining elective credit hours may be chosen from those courses in the life sciences that can be used toward the majors offered by the school. Three credits of undergraduate research or internship (BIO 390 OR BIO 484 or MBB 484 or MIC 484 OR BIO 495 or MBB 495 or MIC 495) may be allowed in the minor.
Core Minor Requirement (15-16 credits) -- 15 credit hours
Electives (8-9 credits) -- 9 credit hours
Students will complete 8-9 credit hours in electives selected from the BIO, MBB or MIC prefixes, all of which must be upper-division courses.
Lower-division biology courses, including but not limited to, BIO 100, BIO 201, BIO 202 and MIC 205, may not be used in the biological sciences minor.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.

Enrollment Requirements

GPA Requirement: None

Incompatible Majors: BS in biological sciences (all concentrations); BS in microbiology (all concentrations); BS in molecular biosciences and biotechnology; BS in medical studies; BS in neuroscience; BS in nutrition; BS in public health

Other Enrollment Requirements: None

Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.


Career Outlook

Minor programs allow students to develop additional competencies that complement the marketable knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors.

A minor in biological sciences can help students as they pursue a variety of careers, such as biologists, biological technicians, medical and clinical laboratory technologists, zoologists, geneticists, and educators.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Bioinformatics Scientists


  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 8.6%
  • Median Salary*: 81650
  Bright Outlook

Biological Technicians


  • Growth: 4.7%
  • Median Salary*: 49650
  Bright Outlook

Biologists


  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Environmental Restoration Planners


  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 4.2%
  • Median Salary*: 83040

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists


  • Growth: 3%
  • Median Salary*: 67430

Geneticists


  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists


  • Growth: 4.9%
  • Median Salary*: 57380
  Bright Outlook

Molecular and Cellular Biologists


  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.



Program Contact Information

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