2026-2028 Catalog

Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus

The purpose of the minor is to help students from other disciplines acquire 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 in various jobs. Biological issues are important throughout modern life and particularly relevant in many careers, including those in health-related businesses, agriculture, several engineering disciplines, city planning, teaching K-12 students, journalism, political science, psychology, and statistics. Students in more closely related majors such as biochemistry or kinesiology may also be interested in strengthening their biology background. In addition, an enhanced biology background helps students become better educated citizens regarding a variety of controversial issues in modern society (e.g., genetically-modified organisms in agriculture, human cloning, genetic discrimination, the pressures of population growth). The minor is open to any major except Biological Sciences, Marine Science, and Microbiology.

See the Biological Sciences department Undergraduate Minors website for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions. Suggested combinations of courses in particular areas of biology are available in the Biological Sciences department.

Program Learning Objectives

  1. Explain fundamental concepts of biology.
  2. Develop experience in lab or field techniques in an area of Biology.
  3. Relate ethical, social justice or global perspectives to the study and practice of biology.

Minor Requirements and Curriculum

The minor must be completed prior to, or at the same time as, the requirements for the bachelor's degree. A major and a minor may not be taken in the same degree program, and a minor is not required for a degree. Requirements for the minor include:
  • At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level).
  • At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly (in residence).
  • No more than one-third of the units will be taken with credit-no credit grading (CR/NC), not counting courses with mandatory CR/NC. Departments may further limit CR/NC grading if desired.
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the minor.
REQUIRED COURSES
Introductory Courses
Select from the following with a minimum of one course from List A: 17
List A
BIO 1111
& BIO 1112
General Biology
and Biology Laboratory for Non-Majors
or BIO 1151
 Life: Molecules and Cells
BIO 1114
Plant Diversity and Ecology
or BOT 1121
 General Botany
BIO 1150
Life: History and Diversity
or BIO 3210
 Biology of Plants and Animals for Future Teachers
BIO 2231
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
or BIO 2232
 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
MCRO 2221
Introduction to Microbiology
or MCRO 2224
 General Microbiology I
List B
BIO 1113
Biology of Sex
BIO 2213
Life Science for Engineers
BIO 2215
Biodiversity of California
BIO 2217
Wildlife Conservation Biology
Upper-Division Electives
Select from the following: 1,213
Select any 3000-4000 level BIO, BOT, MCRO, or MSCI courses, with the exception of BIO 4450, BIO 4485, BIO 4495 and MSCI 4401.
Total Units20
1

Check prerequisites; upper-division courses designed for the Biological Sciences majors usually require BIO 1150 and/or BIO 1151 and possibly additional courses.

2

A maximum of 1 unit of BIO 3300 or BIO 4400 may be applied to the Biology minor.