To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences offers an undergraduate minor in Biological Sciences that is intended to enhance the programs of students whose major fields are outside the biological sciences.  The required courses (8 hours) provide an overview of the field of biology and students then select additional courses (at least 7 hours) within the biological sciences that best match their interests. It is possible to complete this minor entirely through distance education course offerings.

The minor in Biological Sciences is open to all baccalaureate students except those majoring in Animal Science; Biochemistry; Biological Sciences; Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology: Conservation Biology; Fisheries Science; Wildlife Science; Genetics; Microbiology; Nutrition; Plant Biology; Plant and Soil Sciences; Science Education – Biology Concentration; Turfgrass Science; or Zoology. Courses will count toward the minor only if they are completed with a grade of C- or better.

Admissions

Students who plan to minor in Biological Sciences can do so by using the online CODA system, available through MyPack Portal. Students can also go to Add a Minor to apply. 

Certification

When you are getting ready to graduate, you will submit a graduation application (online) that includes your major(s) and minor(s). The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which you expect to graduate from your degree program. Information about declaring a minor is available on the Student Services Center website.

Contact People

Biological Sciences Student Services Team
2727 Bostian Hall
919.515.3341
BioSciHelp@ncsu.edu

SIS Code: 17BLM

Plan Requirements

The Biological Sciences Minor requires a minimum of 17 credit hours and is open to all baccalaureate students except those majoring in Animal Science; Biochemistry; Biological Sciences; Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology: Conservation Biology; Fisheries Science; Wildlife Science; Genetics; Microbiology; Nutrition; Plant Biology; Plant and Soil Sciences; Science Education – Biology Concentration; Turfgrass Science; or Zoology.

• A grade of C- or better is required for all minor courses and a 2.0 GPA in the minor is required for graduation.
• No more than one course used in the minor can be taken for credit only (S/U).
• Courses taken for the minor can also be used toward major requirements, GEP Electives or Free Electives.
• At least 9 credit hours of the minor must be completed at NC State.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours	Counts towards
Required Courses		8
BIO 181	Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity
BIO 183	Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Select One		3-4
AEC 245	Global Conservation Ecology
AEC/PB 360	Ecology
BIO 240	Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems
BIO 245	Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems
BIO 227	Understanding Structural Diversity through Biological Illustration
BIO 230	The Science of Studying Dinosaurs
BIO 270	Introduction to Evolution
BIO 310	Quantitative Approaches to Biological Problems
BIO 323	Paleoecology
GN 301	Genetics in Human Affairs
MB 200	The Fourth Horseman: Plagues that Changed the World
TOX 201	Poisons, People and the Environment
Electives 1		6-7
Select any courses at the 200 level or higher from the following prefixes: AEC, BIO, BIT, BSC, GN, MB, PB, TOX, ZO
Total Hours		17-19

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Special topics and new course offerings that the student feels are appropriate to a Biological Sciences minor will be considered as possible Electives. Email BioSciHelp@ncsu.edu to make a request.