This program is available at the following locations:

• Corvallis
• Ecampus
• OSU-Cascades

Administered by the Department of Integrative Biology under the School of Life Sciences.

The Biology Minor explores the breadth of contemporary biological knowledge and the essential role it plays in our lives and contemporary issues.

Minor Code: 509

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Explain and apply the fundamental concepts of the biological sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and genetics; physiology and organismal biology; and ecology and evolution.
• Identify and access information (from primary literature and other relevant works) for a particular topic and evaluate the scientific content and context of these sources.
• Generate relevant and testable scientific questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and identify measurable predictions based on observations or previous research.
• Design and implement observational or experimental investigations to collect relevant data, and employ appropriate analytical methods to analyze that data.
• Interpret data and/or observations to support or refute hypotheses, draw conclusions, put findings in the context of current scientific knowledge and literature, and/or suggest future avenues of research.
• Use effective formal and informal communication (i.e., written, oral, graphical, multimedia) to convey scientific information in ways that are appropriate for scientific and non-scientific audiences for a particular topic and evaluating the scientific content and context of these sources.
• Integrate and analyze information within and across spatial and temporal scales as well as levels of biological organization.
• Identify, reflect upon, and evaluate assumptions, biases, and alternative hypotheses or interpretations for their own scientific claims or those of others.
• Justify the importance of science and science literacy for individuals and society.
• Integrate biology with other disciplines to make evidence-based decisions on socio-scientific issues.
• Explain how biases and societal factors affect the processes of science (and vice versa), access to participation in science, and the differential outcomes and impacts (both positive and negative) of science on individuals.
• Explain and justify the ethical standards of their discipline, evaluate the ethics of published science, and articulate their personal code of ethics.
• Use effective and appropriate forms of collaboration.
• Produce a self-assessment of interpersonal and academic behaviors needed to achieve their individual career goals.

Students majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioHealth Sciences, Biology, Botany, Microbiology and Zoology cannot declare the Biology minor. The courses below may be shared with other majors outside of those listed above.

The Biology minor includes a required introductory biology sequence with chemistry prerequisite or corequisite. A C- or better in the Principles of Biology or Introductory Biology series is required to complete the minor. A series of general chemistry, through CH 123 or (CH 223Z and CH 229Z), is required for some of the listed courses.

*

Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025

+

Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond

Minor Code: 509