Environmental Biology Minor
Coordinator: Katie Costanzo, PhD
The Environmental Biology minor is designed for students who want to focus on organismal biology, natural history, ecology and environmental science. It provides a broad preparation for entry into BS level positions in the environmental sciences and advanced study at the graduate level.
Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum. If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner. Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.
To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.
Requirements for the Environmental Biology Minor
The environmental biology minor requires BIO 320 (field ecology with its lab), at least one diversity class with its lab, and four additional upper-level biology classes, at least two of which must include the associated laboratory. Students may choose from the following classes:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BIO 320 | Field Ecology | 4 |
Diversity Course (must include its associated laboratory; see electives with footnote 1) | 4 | |
4 electives (two must include the associated laboratory) | 14 | |
Total Credits | 22 |
Environmental Biology Electives
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BIO 305 | Medical Microbiology and its Ecological Basis 1 | 3 |
BIO 320 | Field Ecology (required of all students) | 4 |
BIO 322 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
BIO 335 | Plant Biology 1 | 3 |
BIO 343 | Entomology 1 | 4 |
BIO 360 | Environmental Health | 3 |
BIO 366 | Ornithology 1 | 4 |
BIO 370 | Plant Morphology 1 | 3 |
BIO 375 | Community Ecology | 3 |
BIO 377 | Freshwater Biology | 4 |
BIO 378 | Wetlands | 3 |
1 | Fulfills the diversity requirement for this minor. |