Common Minors for Biology Majors

Non-Science Minors: e.g., Philosophy, Fine Arts, Media Studies; don’t be afraid to explore!
Some Science Minors: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Science
Some Interdisciplinary Minors: STEM Education, Neuroscience, Gerontology, Health Studies

*The Natural Science minor is restricted to non-STEM majors and cannot be declared by BIOL majors.

Minor in STEM Education (24 Units)
  • INTD 320 - Exploring the Life Sciences 
  • INTD 321 - Exploring the Physical Sciences
  • Any 3 courses outside of the BIOL department and outside of the courses required for the BIOL major
  • (8 units of the BIOL major can apply to the STEM Education minor)
Minor in Chemistry (21 Units)
  • CHEM 111/112 and CHEM 113/114 – General Chemistry I and II
  • CHEM 230/231/232/234 – Organic Chemistry I and II & Organic Chemistry Lab I
  • Elective: A minimum of five (5) units chosen from a specific list of electives
Minor in Biochemistry (20-23 Units) 
  • CHEM 111/112 and CHEM 113/114 – General Chemistry I and II
  • CHEM 350/351 – Biochemistry I and II
  • CHEM 230/231/232 - Organic Chemistry I and II & Organic Chemistry Lab I – OR – 
  • CHEM 236/232 – Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry & Organic Chemistry Lab I

Students may not minor in both Chemistry and Biochemistry | Biochemistry courses will not count towards both the Biology major and a Chemistry or Biochemistry minor

Minor in Environmental Science (20 Units)
  • 4 units: Introductory Course (ENVS 1XX)
  • 4 units: Foundational Course (ENVS 2XX)
  • 8 units: In-depth Courses (ENVS 3XX or ENVS 4XX)
  • 4 units: Elective Course (ENVS 1XX, ENVS 2XX, ENVS 3XX, or ENVS 4XX)
Interdisciplinary Minor in Neuroscience (20 Units)

(Only courses for Biology majors listed below, requirements for other majors will differ.) 

  • BIOL 105 – General Biology - Molecules of Life
  • PSYC 270 – Biological Psychology
  • BIOL 368 – Neurobiology 
  • One of the following courses 
    • BIOL 333/334 – Endocrinology
    • BIOL 340 – Animal Toxicology
    • BIOL 350/351 – Comparative Animal Physiology
    • BIOL 352/353 – Comparative Anatomy
    • BIOL 355/356 – Developmental Biology
  • One of the following courses 
    • PSYC 319 - Cognitive Psychology
    • PSYC 326 – Learning and Memory
    • PSYC 351 – Neuropsychology 
Interdisciplinary Minor in Gerontology (20 Units) 

(Only courses for Biology majors listed below, requirements for other majors will differ.)

  • BIOL 414 – Evolution
  • Two of the following courses:
    • HS 301 – Death/Dying: Exploring New Paradigms
    • KIN 335 – Physical Activity and Aging
    • PSYC 339 – Adulthood and Aging
    • COMS 368 – Communication & Aging
  • Two courses chosen from a specific list of electives (note: courses on the elective list may also fulfill core requirements)

See more information and resources on the Gerontology myUSF page

Interdisciplinary Minor in Health Studies (20 Units) 

(Only courses for Biology majors listed below, requirements for other majors will differ)

  • BIOL 105 – General Biology - Molecules of Life
  • BIOL 106 – General Biology - Diversity of Life 
  • Two courses from Group A below and one from Group B, or one from Group A and two from Group B
    • Group A: COMS 352, HS 301, PSYC 322, PSYC 270, RHET 111
    • Group B: KIN 315, KIN 325, KIN 330, KIN 360