Biology, Minor
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The undergraduate minor in biology requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in biology coursework, including 12 s.h. in courses numbered 2000 or above offered by the Department of Biology at the University of Iowa or in approved Iowa Lakeside Laboratory courses. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Students may not use transfer coursework to count as courses numbered 2000 or above. CLAS minors may only be earned concurrent with or subsequent to earning a University of Iowa bachelor's degree. They cannot be granted as standalone credentials or as the sole program of study completed at the University of Iowa.
BIOL:2120 Good Genes Gone Bad: Genetic Disorders of Notable Celebrities, BIOL:3999 Independent Research in Neuroscience, BIOL:4995 Honors Research in Neuroscience, and BIOL:4999 Honors Research in Biology do not count toward the minor.
Students may count BIOL:3994 Introduction to Research (maximum of 3 s.h.) and BIOL:4897 Teaching Internship in Biology (maximum of 3 s.h.) only once toward the minor.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Biology, Minor
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I a, b | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II a | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology c | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL:1412 | Diversity of Form and Function c | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Minor: biology course (prefix BIOL) d | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Minor: biology course (prefix BIOL) d | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Minor: biology course (prefix BIOL) d | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Minor: biology course (prefix BIOL) d | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 28 | |
- a
- Chemistry does not count toward the biology minor, but CHEM:1110 is a prerequisite to the first biology course and is required for most other biology courses. CHEM:1120 will be required for some but not all upper-level biology courses.
- b
- Enrollment in chemistry courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- c
- BIOL:1411 and BIOL:1412 are both required before taking upper-level biology courses.
- d
- Any biology course numbered 2000 and above except BIOL:2120, BIOL:3999, BIOL:4995 and BIOL:4999. Students may count BIOL:3994 (maximum of 3 s.h.) and BIOL:4897 (maximum of 3 s.h.) only once toward the minor. Consult an advisor for approved Lakeside laboratory courses toward the minor.