Biological Sciences Minor

The science of biology spans an extraordinary range of subjects, from molecular biology through ecosystem ecology. Biology also underpins some of the most important challenges and opportunities in human society, such as understanding human health and disease, managing agriculture and developing technologies to feed the global population, and predicting responses of organisms to climatic changes and figuring out ways to protect biological diversity. A student seeking a biology minor at Fordham is offered a diverse and rigorous program that encompasses the breadth of this field and provides them the tools they need to address these challenges.

The broad learning goals of our biological sciences program are to:

• Cultivate a life-long curiosity about science and all aspects of biology,
• Provide an understanding of the use of the scientific method in biological investigations, and gain practical experience and technical skills using these methods, and
• Give students a deeper understanding of basic concepts, principles, ideas and theories in biology, so that students become knowledgeable and literate in their field.

We help our students develop an academic program that best fits their interests and career goals. Through this, our graduates pursue diverse careers in fields like healthcare, education, research, and work with government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private-sector research laboratories.

A grade of C- is the minimum accepted grade for all courses to count toward fulfilling requirements of the biology minor (note: medical schools often require at least a C).

For questions about the program, students can contact the associate chair at undergradbisc@fordham.edu.

The course requirements for the biological sciences minor depend on the student's major:

• Biochemistry and chemistry majors must select six biological sciences major core courses or courses with the BIEL (elective) attribute.
• Environmental science, general science, and integrative neuroscience majors must select eight biological sciences major core courses or courses with the BIEL (elective) attribute.

• All other majors must complete four biological sciences major core courses or courses with the BIEL (elective) attribute and two courses in chemistry (subject code CHEM) at or above CHEM 1300.

C- is the minimum grade credited toward the minor. No more than two external classes can be transferred toward the minor.

Note that online courses from other universities are not acceptable substitutes for required courses.

Elective Courses

Courses in this group have the BIEL attribute.

Availability

The minor in biological sciences is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may minor in biological sciences only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill campus.