Degrees

Undergraduate Minors

Minor in Biology

 Cal Poly students from other majors can minor in biology through the department.  A minor in biology offers increased factual and conceptual knowledge in biology, an increased understanding of scientific methods and techniques used to study biology, and an increased ability to analyze biological topics in the news or on the job.  

Biological issues are relevant in many careers, including those in health-related businesses, agriculture, engineering, city planning, teaching K-12 students, journalism, political science, psychology, and statistics. In addition, an enhanced biology background will help students become better-educated citizens able to evaluate a variety of controversial issues, including genetically-modified organisms in agriculture, human cloning, genetic discrimination, the pressures of population growth.

Students in more closely related majors, such as Biochemistry or Kinesiology, can strengthen their biology background through the minor. Students may choose courses in environmental biology or in human biology and biotechnology, or may choose to take courses in several areas

Thank you for your interest in declaring a Biology Minor in the Biological Sciences Department.

Please review the Biology Minor Course Requirements - Catalog.

If you have any questions please see the Frequently Asked Questions for Biology Minor requirement.

Or, feel free to email one of the Biology Minor coordinators:

Biology Minor Worksheets - for information only and to use as a worksheet.

 

TO DECLARE A BIOLOGY MINOR

Once you have identified the courses you would like to take, and made sure you plan to take all the appropriate pre-requisites, then you can Declare a Biology Minor.  Please fill out the following form and select "Declare". 

BIOLOGY MINOR DECLARATION FORM - Catalog year 2015- Current

Before you fill out the form make sure you plan for the following:

  1. You plan to complete 12-14 units of introductory courses (100- or 200-level)
  2. You plan to complete 16 units for the Minor are from upper-division courses (300- or 400-level)
  3. You plan to have the proper prerequisites to get into your proposed upper-division courses 
  4. You plan to take at least half of the units for the Minor are taken at Cal Poly (in residence) 
  5. You do not plan to take any course Credit/No Credit (CR/NC)* 
  6. You accept that a minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for the Minor. 

TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTION ON A BIOLOGY MINOR

Occasionally, students are able to make a course substitution.  For example, a Study Abroad course.  If this applies to you, please fill out the following form Biology Minor Inquiry Form and we will send the request to one of our Biology Minor Coordinators.

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If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Biology Front Office at biosci@calpoly.edu or fill out the Biology Minor Inquiry Form.  If you have questions about planning and courses, please contact the appropriate Biology Minor Coordinator above.  

 

Go to the Cal Poly Catalog for course and application details

Tentative Course Offerings - Biological Sciences Department

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Minor in Microbiology

A minor in microbiology is offered through the College of Science and Mathematics. This minor is designed to give students from majors in which microbiology may be an important component increased exposure to factual information,  concepts, and skills in order to provide those students a more complete understanding of the roles of microorganisms as they pertain to studies in their chosen major. The minor gives students in the allied health and related fields the opportunity to expand their breadth of knowledge in microbial diseases, transmission and prevention, and immunologic responses.

Through the minor, students in applied fields of agriculture study such as Food and Dairy Sciences can gain additional training in pertinent topics such as microbial involvement in water and wastewater treatment; the role of microorganisms in recycling of nutrients and soil fertility; microbial roles in food processing, spoilage, production; and disease transmission.

Please review the Microbiology Minor Course Requirements.

If you have any questions regarding planning and courses, please contact the Microbiology Minor Coordinator, Dr. Candace Winstead - cwinstea@calpoly.edu

Microbiology Minor Worksheets - provided for information only and to use as a worksheet.

 

Once you have identified the courses you would like to take, and made sure you plan to take all the appropriate pre-requisites, then you should fill out the:

MICROBIOLOGY MINOR DECLARATION FORM - Catalog Year 17-19 

MICROBIOLOGY MINOR DECLARATION FORM - Catalog Year 19-Current

 

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Biology Front Office at biosci@calpoly.edu. 

Go to the Cal Poly Catalog for course and application details

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Minor in Environmental Studies

Students who complete a minor in Environmental Studies will be able to:

  • Analyze, explain, and evaluate environmental issues from both scientific/technical and social/political/economic perspectives.
  • Integrate and synthesize knowledge from multiple disciplines.
  • Explain and apply the methodologies and approaches that different disciplines bring to bear on complex problems.
  • Work productively and effectively with students from other disciplines and with other points of view.
  • Confront and grapple with real issues of contemporary significance.
  • Gain employment or pursue further study that emphasizes interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.

Subject Area Electives

Subject Area Electives must be approved in advance by the coordinator for the minor.  The Biological Science's Department Environmental Studies Coordinator is Dr. Dena Grossenbacher dgrossen@calpoly.edu

Environmental Studies Minor Worksheet - provided for information only and to use as a worksheet.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MINOR WORKSHEET - CATALOG  17-19

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MINOR WORKSHEET - CATALOG  19 - Current 

Once you have identified the courses you would like to take, and made sure you plan to take all the appropriate pre-requisites, then you should fill out the:

Environmental Studies Minor Declaration Form - 17-19 Catalog

Environmental Studies Minor Declaration Form - 19-21 Catalog

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Biology Front Office at biosci@calpoly.edu. 

Go to the Cal Poly Catalog for course and application details

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Minor in Biotechnology

Students who minor in biotechnology take a core of required courses and restricted elective courses focusing on biotechnology. The minor is open to all undergraduate majors except those majoring in Biochemistry or Microbiology. Biological Sciences majors in the General Curriculum, Anatomy and Physiology or Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentrations are also not eligible.

 

To begin the process of declaring a Biology Minor, please fill out this inquiry form.  Biotechnology Minor Information Request Form

Go to the Cal Poly Catalog for course details

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Frequently Asked Questions for Biology Minor Requirement

  1. As a Biology minor will I get priority to register for BIO classes over students that are not Biology majors or minors?
    • No, but the courses used by minors have enrollment capacity calculated with them in mind.
  2. Can I substitute a lower division (100-200 level) course for an upper-division (300-400 level) course?
    • No. The only exception is if the course was taken at another institution. In which case it might have a 100-200 level number, but could count if it is equivalent to a 300-400 level course at Poly.
  3. Can a BIO course that is required for my non-Biology major count toward my Biology minor?
    • Yes
  4. Is there an advantage to filing my Biology minor form early in my academic career at Cal Poly?
    • Generally, no. Some exceptions:
      • Yes, if it will motivate you to take the courses.
      • Yes for NR major students, because for those students courses taken for one’s minor contribute to the student’s degree progress report.
      • Yes for ENVM major students, because for that major BIO minor courses count toward your degree progress report (if and only if you are officially in the minor), thereby affecting your ability to sign up for classes. 
    • Typically, I advise you to file your Bio minor form on or slightly before the Fall term of your final year. 
  5. What if I change my plan of courses for my Bio minor?
    • Refer back to the Biology Minor Course Requirements.  If you have any questions, please contact one of the Biology Minor Coordinators.  As long as you are staying within the Biology Minor requirements, no action is needed.
  6. Can I substitute a non-BIO course for a BIO course and use it for my BIO minor?
    • Possibly, if the non-BIO course is equivalent to the BIO course (i.e., it is a legitimate substitution). However, doing reduces the benefits one gets from doing the BIO minor. Ask yourself, why am I doing a BIO minor and does this help my educational goal?
  7. Can I use a course that is cross-listed with BIO for my minor?
    • Yes. For example, if you took CHEM 475, which is cross-listed with BIO 475, then you can use that course for the BIO 300/400 requirement for the BIO minor.
  8. What if I have a D grade in one of my courses counted for my BIO minor?
    • That is okay, as long as you maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all the units counting toward your BIO minor. 
  9. Can I apply for course credit from an AP exam toward my BIO minor?
    • If on your Degree Progress Report it lists you had credit for a course based on an AP exam you took, and that course is listed on the BIO minor form, then yes you may apply that course toward your minor. It is okay that you do not have a grade for the course (it is listed as CR only).
  10. Can I take similar courses and have them both count toward my BIO minor?
    • If allowed by the Biology catalog, then typically yes. For example:
      • BIO 406 and BIO 407 are both Advanced Anatomy and Physiology courses, but with different foci (Neuroscience and Endocrinology). The Biology catalog allows you to get credit for both courses, thus you can also have both apply toward your BIO minor. 
      • You can not get credit for BIO 351 (genetics) if you already have credit for BIO 302 or 302 (intro to genetics or human genetics). These are rules in the catalog. 
  11. Can I do a BIO minor if I am already doing a BIO Concentration?
    • If you are a Liberal Studies student, no. You can do one or the other.
    • Not sure about other majors. This rule is in the process of changing. 

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