Biological Sciences, Minor


Are you captivated by the variety and complexity of life around us? Are you curious about how organisms grow, interact and affect each other? Build a strong foundation of knowledge, critical thinking skills and laboratory experience that will complement your major area of study and help launch your career.

Program Description

The minor program in biological sciences offers you a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to your interests.

You explore the study of all living things and examine the basic organization of life, how organisms evolve, the role of organisms in the natural environment, how hereditary information is transferred, and the development of biotechnology.


At a Glance: program details

Minor Map

  • Location: or
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Program Requirements

Enrollment Requirements

GPA Requirement: None

Incompatible Majors: BS in biological sciences (all concentrations); BS in microbiology (all concentrations); BS in molecular biosciences and biotechnology; BS in medical studies; BS in neuroscience; BS in nutrition; BS in public health; BS in applied biological sciences (pre-dental), BS in applied biological sciences (preveterinary medicine); BS in data science; BS in biomedical informatics; BS in forensic science (death investigation); BS in forensic science

Other Enrollment Requirements: None

Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.


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Career Outlook

A minor in biological sciences enables students to develop additional competencies that complement the knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors. Graduates are prepared with critical thinking and valuable problem-solving skills, and the introduction to the processes of research and scientific discovery they have received in the program helps them as they pursue a variety of positions, such as biologist, biological technician, medical and clinical laboratory technologist, zoologist, geneticist and educator.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Bioinformatics Scientists


  • Growth: 1.2%
  • Median Salary*: 98920

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 7.3%
  • Median Salary*: 84620
  Bright Outlook

Biological Technicians


  • Growth: 3.5%
  • Median Salary*: 57510

Biologists


  • Growth: 1.2%
  • Median Salary*: 98920

Environmental Restoration Planners


  • Growth: 4.4%
  • Median Salary*: 82220

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 2.9%
  • Median Salary*: 94980

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists


  • Growth: 1.6%
  • Median Salary*: 76780

Geneticists


  • Growth: 1.2%
  • Median Salary*: 98920

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists


  • Growth: 1.7%
  • Median Salary*: 62930

Molecular and Cellular Biologists


  • Growth: 1.2%
  • Median Salary*: 98920

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information.

Program Contact Information

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