Program Description
The minor program in biological sciences provides students with a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to their interests.
Students will explore the study of all living things and examine basic organization of life, how organisms evolve, the role of organisms in the natural environment, how hereditary information is transferred and the development of biotechnology.
A new approach to teaching biology
As a biology student at Arizona State University, you are part of a new movement to reinvent science learning, designed to prioritize your needs and empower you to not only succeed but be transformed into a future leader and problem solver.
ASU’s adaptive and flexible teaching model levels the playing field for all learners, allowing anyone to understand complex concepts and gain the confidence to take on scientific challenges in a growing field.
Here, you will apply biological models through immersive exploration and hands-on discovery. Explore a 24,000-square-foot Natural History Collection, the only insectary of its kind in Arizona and several research opportunities for online students, which set our programs apart from other institutions across the globe. Together, we’ll learn how to visualize and build a better world.
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 must complete 8-9 credit hours in electives selected from the BIO, MBB or MIC subject codes, 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
A minor in biological sciences allows students to develop additional competencies that complement the knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors. Students will be prepared with critical thinking and valuable problem-solving skills, as well as an introduction to the processes of research and scientific discovery 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
Biological Technicians
- Growth: 4.7%
- Median Salary*: 49650
Biologists
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: 87300
Environmental Restoration Planners
- Growth: 6.1%
- Median Salary*: 76480
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
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
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.
For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
