Biology Minor
The minor in biology is a perfect fit for students interested in the biological sciences, but who do not wish to pursue a career in biology. A minor in biology gives a strong basic background in cell biology, genetics, and ecology that will enhance a career in other areas such as: chemistry, physics, psychology, social sciences, computational sciences, humanities, or business.
Curriculum
Students take the basic lecture and laboratory biology courses with the Biology majors, as well as a limited number of biology electives. Students may satisfy requirements for a minor concentration in biology by completing a minimum of 24 credit hours of biology with grades of “C-” or better with an overall minor GPA of 2.0 or higher. The minor in biology requires 24 credit hours including 17 credit hours of required biology courses and seven credit hours of biology electives.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 251 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 265 | Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| Select seven credit hours of Biology Electives | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Transferring students who seek a minor in biology must take a minimum of 12 credit hours in biology at Loyola.
Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| Any BIOL 200-Level Course 2 | ||
| Any BIOL 300-Level Course | ||
| BIOL 2TRN Biology 200-Level Transfer | ||
| BIOL 3TRN Biology 300-Level Transfer | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTH 246 / BIOL 246 | Ancient Human-Animal Interactions | 3 |
| ANTH 280 / BIOL 280 | Evolution of Human Disease | 3 |
| ANTH 281 / BIOL 281 | Evolution of the Human Diet | 3 |
| ANTH 325 / BIOL 325 | Primatology-Behavior & Ecology | 3 |
| ANTH 326 / BIOL 326 | Human Osteology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| ANTH 327 / BIOL 378 | Dental Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 346 / BIOL 346 | Biology of Women | 3 |
| ANTH 359 / BIOL 359 | Paleopathology | 3 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 361 / BIOL 366 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
| Computer Science | ||
| COMP 381 / BIOL 388 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| Environmental Science | ||
| ENVS 215 / BIOL 215 | Ornithology | 3 |
| ENVS 267 / BIOL 347 | Bird Conservation and Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 319 / BIOL 329 | Winter Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 340 / BIOL 340 | Natural History of Belize | 3 |
| ENVS 345 / BIOL 349 | Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | 3 |
| ENVS 369 / BIOL 348 | Field Ornithology | 3 |
| Neuroscience | ||
| NEUR 101 | Introduction to Neuroscience 3 | 3 |
| NEUR 300 / BIOL 303 | Seminar in Neuroscience | 1 |
| NEUR 301 / BIOL 373 | Laboratory in Neuroscience I | 4 |
| NEUR 302 | Laboratory in Neuroscience II | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 371 | Biophysics | 3 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 240 / BIOL 240 | Psychology-Biology of Perception 3 | 3 |
| PSYC 311 / BIOL 313 | Lab in Psychobiology | 3 |
| PSYC 382 / BIOL 284 | Behavorial and Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 388 / BIOL 373 | Laboratory in Neuroscience I | 4 |
| Statistics | ||
| STAT 310 / BIOL 310 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 335 / BIOL 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT 336 / BIOL 336 | Advanced Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT 337 / BIOL 337 | Quantitative Methods in Bioinformatics | 3 |
- 2
If not already taken as a 200-level required course.
- 3
Either BIOL 240/PSYC 240 Psychology-Biology of Perception OR NEUR 101 Introduction to Neuroscience (but NOT both) count as Biology Electives.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the minor. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| BIOL Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| BIOL Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Undergraduate Biology Minor:
- Students will demonstrate developing mastery of the following Vision and Change core concepts and their related principals: evolution (the diversity of life-forms that have evolved over time through mutations, selection and genetic change; structure and function (the basic units of biological structures that define the functions of all living things); information flow, exchange and storage (the influence of genetics on the control of the growth and behavior of organisms); pathways and transformations of energy and matter (the ways in which chemical transformation pathways and the laws of thermodynamics govern the growth and change of biological systems); and systems (the ways in which living things are interconnected and interact with one another).
- Students will be able to retrieve, synthesize, and critically evaluate scientific literature.
- Students will be able to communicate (orally and in writing) results and interpretation of scientific research.