Biology supports health, environmental, engineering and chemistry majors and covers prerequisites for many health professional programs.
Skills a Biology minor adds
- Laboratory skills
- Scientific method
- Anatomy and physiology basics
Majors that pair well with Biology
| Major | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Public Health | Deepens your understanding of disease, infection and the human body. |
| Respiratory Therapy | Deepens your knowledge of the body systems you treat. |
| Surgical Technology | Strengthens your anatomy and microbiology knowledge. |
| Medical Laboratory Science | Deepens your knowledge of disease and the human body. |
| Biomedical Engineering | Deepens the life science side of the field. |
| Chemistry | Fits biochemistry, pharmaceutical and health careers. |
| Animal Science and Veterinary Technology | Strengthens science for veterinary school. |
Want to study it in depth? See the Biology major.
Careers where a Biology minor helps
Biological Technician
Run experiments and lab work that power biology and biotech research.
- Typical training: 4 years
Medical Laboratory Technician
Run the lab tests doctors use to diagnose and treat patients.
- Typical training: 2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist)
Environmental Technician
Collect and test air, water and soil samples to monitor pollution and protect health.
- Typical training: About 2 years
Related career training
A self-paced online course on what biological technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: cell culture, PCR and molecular biology, and microscopy
Why it fits: Builds practical knowledge for careers a Biology minor points toward.
Biology minor FAQ
What is a Biology minor?
A Biology minor adds a foundation in living systems, cells, genetics and ecology. Biology supports health, environmental, engineering and chemistry majors and covers prerequisites for many health professional programs.
What does a Biology minor include?
A Biology minor covers skills such as laboratory skills, scientific method, and anatomy and physiology basics. Most minors require about 15 to 24 credit hours, often five to eight courses; each college sets its own requirements.
What majors go well with a Biology minor?
It pairs well with Public Health, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Animal Science and Veterinary Technology.
Is Biology a good minor for Public Health majors?
It can be. Deepens your understanding of disease, infection and the human body.
Is Biology a good minor for Respiratory Therapy majors?
It can be. Deepens your knowledge of the body systems you treat.
Is Biology a good minor for Surgical Technology majors?
It can be. Strengthens your anatomy and microbiology knowledge.
What skills does a Biology minor add?
Skills such as laboratory skills, scientific method, and anatomy and physiology basics.
What careers can a Biology minor help with?
It can support careers such as biological technician, medical laboratory technician, and environmental technician, especially combined with a related major.
Is a Biology minor worth it?
It is worth it if it fills a gap in your major or supports the career you want. Biology supports health, environmental, engineering and chemistry majors and covers prerequisites for many health professional programs.
What is the difference between a Biology major and a Biology minor?
A Biology major is your main field of study (associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees) and prepares you for careers such as biological technician, microbiologist, and medical laboratory technician. A minor is a smaller set of courses that adds biology knowledge to a different major.
Can any major add a Biology minor?
At most colleges, students in many majors can add a minor if they meet its prerequisites and can fit the courses. Check your college’s requirements.