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Biology Minor

College of Sciences
Undergraduate minor

Two students in white lab coats in lab with microscope and faculty

The biology minor offers students a strong foundation in modern biological science to complement their major. The minor includes coursework in biology, chemistry and mathematics, with one semester of advanced study in an area of student interest.

Student outcomes

Students will be able to:

  •  Read, analyze, present and interpret quantitative data.  More specifically, students will be able to:
    • Read and interpret a graph
    • Construct a graph from quantitative data
    • Evaluate the results of a statistical test presented in terms of sample size and p-value
  • Demonstrate competence in general chemistry.  More specifically, students will be able to:
    • Identify ionic and covalent compounds utilizing the periodic table.
    • Summarize system energy before, during, and after a given system perturbation.
    • Analyze common reaction types for a given system.
  • Demonstrate competence in general biology.  More specifically, students will be able to:
    • Apply the principles of Hardy-Weinberg analysis to population genetics data
    • Apply the principles of exponential growth to population data
    • Apply the principle of structure-function to organismal traits
    • Create a phylogenetic diagram given a set of character data

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Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further admission requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

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Program eligibility requirements

To be eligible for acceptance to the Biology minor, students must submit a College of Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form when the following is completed:

  • Prerequisite math course and Foundation courses of BIOL 111, BIOL 112, CHEM 111, CHEM 112

All prerequisite and required courses must be completed with grades of C- or above. Transfer coursework equivalency is determined by the Natural Sciences Department.

Each foundation science course must include at least one semester credit of professionally supervised on-ground laboratory experience with standard undergraduate laboratory equipment and materials. Lower-division (100- and 200-level) courses cannot be used to fulfill upper division core or elective requirements in the minor.

Each student must complete 25 credits in the major including at least 5 upper division credits and at least 10 credits from Metropolitan State University.  A student must include at least 5-credits of coursework in the biology minor that is not counted as part of their major or other minor.  Work with your academic advisor to assure both major and minor requirements are met when planning out your course load every semester toward graduation. All prerequisite and required courses must be completed with grades of C- or above.

Course requirements

Prerequisites

Choose one

MATH 115 College Algebra

4 credits

This course develops the fundamental concepts of algebra with an emphasis on the classification and analysis of linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions. Applications to the natural and social sciences are given throughout. It aims to provide insights into the nature and utility of mathematics, and helps students develop mathematical reasoning skills.

Full course description for College Algebra

MATH 120 Precalculus

4 credits

This course is designed to prepare students for calculus. Topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; the algebra of functions; multiple function representations; and an introduction to analytic geometry.

Full course description for Precalculus

Requirements (25 credits)

Minor requires five courses (4 credits each) plus one upper-division biology elective course (5 credits)

Foundation (20 credits)

BIOL 111 General Biology I

4 credits

The first semester of the comprehensive first year course in biology. Covers the biochemistry and inner workings of cells, energy metabolism, genetics, cellular physiology, population genetics and evolutionary pattern and process. Laboratory topics include use of the microscope, biochemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, and evolution. Intended for students who are pursuing, or considering, the major in biology or life sciences teaching.

Full course description for General Biology I

BIOL 112 General Biology II

4 credits

The second semester of the comprehensive first year course in biology. Covers the evolution and diversity of life, plant biology, animal biology and ecology. Lab activities include use of the microscope, examination of organisms, and experiments in plant physiology and ecology; may include animal dissection. Intended for biology and life sciences teaching majors.

Full course description for General Biology II

BIOL 211 Principles of Genetics

4 credits

This course provides a thorough major's level introduction to genetics and heredity. It will cover the fundamentals of genetic information, its transmission from parents to offspring [heredity], its phenotypic and molecular expression in cells and organisms, replication and repair of genetic material within a cell, and its population impacts. Also included are the modern techniques of genetics including: gene mapping, cloning, genome manipulation and mutation. Knowledge of species' genomes, their genes, their inheritance, and how genes impact individuals and/or populations has rapidly become an integral part of almost every aspect of biology. From public health to ecology - genetics touches all.

Full course description for Principles of Genetics

CHEM 111 General Chemistry I

4 credits

The first semester of the comprehensive first year course in chemistry. Covers measurement, stoichiometry, solution chemistry, atomic structure, bonding, molecular structure, molecular visualization, and problem solving. Lab includes basic laboratory techniques, instrumentation, methodology, chemical analysis, and laboratory notebook procedures. The labs are also designed to engage students in critical thinking and concept building and are directly coordinated with the lecture part of the course. Intended for students who are pursuing, or considering, the biology or life sciences teaching major and/or chemistry minor, and qualified students seeking a general education science course with lab.

Full course description for General Chemistry I

CHEM 112 General Chemistry II

4 credits

The second semester of the comprehensive algebra-based first year course in chemistry. Covers acid/base theory, chemical equilibria, nuclear and electrochemistry, redox reactions, terminology, functional groups, reactivity of organic compounds and an introduction to biochemistry. Includes lab. Intended for students pursuing the biology or life sciences teaching major and/or chemistry minor.

Full course description for General Chemistry II

Elective Upper Division Courses (5 credits)

At least 5 credits of 300-level or higher course work in biology, as needed to reach the total of 25 credits