Overview

Offered by the Department of Biology, the Minor in Biology is meant for students who wish to enhance their knowledge of the life sciences. After completion of the introductory courses, students may choose upper-level courses in their particular area of interest.

Students whose majors are within the Department of Biology or whose programs have a significant biology component may not declare a Biology minor. This includes:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Biology with Teaching
  • Biophysics
  • Data Science with Genomics and Bioinformatics Concentration
  • Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity
  • Genomic Medicine
  • Genomic Medicine with Pre-Medicine Concentration
  • Integrative Genetics and Genomics
  • Natural Sciences with Biology Concentration
  • Neuroscience: Cellular and Molecular

Campus Location: Main

Undergraduate Contact Information

Robert Sanders, Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 255
215-204-8851

Erik Cordes, Vice Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 447
215-204-4067
erik.cordes@temple.edu

Angela Bricker, Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - junior and senior
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248C
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Jay Lunden, Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - first and second year
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248M
215-204-8524
jlunden@temple.edu

Brent Sewall, Faculty Advisor for Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Majors
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 203
215-204-6115
bjsewall@temple.edu

Caryn Babaian, Faculty Advisor for Genomic Medicine Majors
Science Education and Research Center, Room 602
215-204-1814
caryn.babaian@temple.edu

Eleni Anni, Faculty Advisor for Neuroscience: Cellular and Molecular Majors
Biology-Life Science Building, Room 352B
215-204-5764
eleni.anni@temple.edu

Susan Varnum, Faculty Advisor for Natural Sciences Majors
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education​
College of Science and Technology​
Gladfelter Hall, Room 629
215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu

Minor Requirements

Students interested in acquiring basic knowledge in biology but not wishing to major in the subject may pursue a minor by successful completion of the following courses:

BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
Select one of the following:4
Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
Three additional upper-level Biology electives numbered 2200 or higher (see course descriptions for exceptions); at least one of these electives must have a laboratory component10
Total Credit Hours18

Note: Grades of C- or higher are required unless otherwise specified in all courses for the minor, including course prerequisites. The College of Science and Technology requires that students have a GPA of at least 2.00 overall and at least 2.00 in the courses applicable to their major and/or minor GPA to graduate. Please consult a Biology departmental advisor when choosing the three additional courses to ensure that prerequisites have been satisfied.

A minimum of 18 credits in Biology is required for the minor.

Residency Requirements: At least 3 Biology courses required for the minor must be completed at Temple.