--- title: Biology Minor date: 2022-04-06T12:20:00-05:00 author: Click Rain Inc canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/biology-ba/biology-minor" section: Pages --- [ Back to Programs](/academics/programs)# Biology Minor If you are focused on majoring in another science area but want to be as well-rounded as possible, a biology major may be your best bet. [Request Info ](https://www.dordt.edu/admissions-and-aid/request-information) ![Female student in class](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-11-1_001209.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=43&f=webp&c=89e65997&v=2b3be164cfd8204bc9068adb7d1a71a36b4295c5baef32d7a6b069fb88445282) ![]() ![]()## On This Page - [Program Overview](#toc122322) - [Faculty](#toc122332) - [Science and Technology Center](#toc515564) - [Student Stories](#toc122333) ## Program Overview A minor in biology complements other science fields such as chemistry, physics, psychology, and others. It also partners well with a major like education, particularly if you have a passion for teaching science. Or you may want to combine a biology minor with a major in communication, business, or political science. Having knowledge of science can open unexpected doors in a number of career fields. ### What You'll Learn You’ll have a chance to take classes on human biology as well as nutrition, microbiology, molecular biology, and more. And you’ll be ready to put that knowledge to use with whatever major you choose. ### What You Can Do With A Biology Minor There are plenty of opportunities for those who minor in biology. Here are a few options: ##### Laboratory Receptionist A Laboratory Receptionist is responsible for performing a variety of different receptionist and clerical duties that assist lab personnel. ##### Health Educator Health Educators provide people with the knowledge pertaining to the availability of healthcare services. ##### Public Health Planner A Public Health Planner analyzes data that assists in program monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and improvement. ## Career Preparation Dordt University's 2025 Career Outcome Rate was 99.7%! “I believe it is also, in part, indicative of the type of graduates we are encouraging our students to become—that is, graduates who don’t just learn for the sake of learning, but graduates who continue to learn for the sake of serving," said Dr. Ethan Brue, dean for technology and applied sciences. "Dordt is not just about training students for competence, but it is more about inviting students to embrace the goodness of work out of a deep care for the world.” ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Career-Outcome-Rate-2025_2026-03-27-162722_rnim.png?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&c=34612c21&v=12a6de4bbeb0d287215dcff9b1c1d85f99eddadaef33078da0d2dc67c4d280c6) ### Degree requirements To earn a biology minor, students must take four biology courses plus two semesters of college chemistry, adding up to six credit hours of lab work. ### Courses - **General Zoology**: A study of the anatomy, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, and economic importance of the invertebrate and chordate animals. Three lectures and one laboratory period of three hours per week. - **Cell and Molecular Biology**: An introduction to molecular mechanisms in living organisms. Topics include structure and functions of cellular components, gene structure and expression, and recombinant DNA technology. Concepts of reductionism and evolutionary theory will be addressed. Three lectures and one laboratory period of three hours per week. - **Principles of Ecology and Field Biology**: An introduction to ecological studies including topics in ecosystem and community structure, nutrient cycling, energy flow, limiting factors, and population interrelationships. The laboratory will emphasize study of local flora and fauna via field work. Three lectures and one laboratory period of three hours per week, plus one or two Saturday field trips. Prerequisite: one year of college biology. - **General Botany**: An introductory study of the anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of the major plant groups. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. *\*Plus two semesters of college chemistry* [See the course catalog for more information](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/course-catalog). ### Ready to take the next step? [Request Info](https://www.dordt.edu/admissions-and-aid/request-information) [Visit](https://www.dordt.edu/admissions-and-aid/visit-dordt) [Apply](https://www.dordt.edu/admissions-and-aid/apply-now) ![biology table](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2022-10-21_002374.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=64&h=37&c=842de7ed&v=85ecd3cee60571d0dec122ba0bdc4b3ad55d39e1125a866a146d7c4ad65b50c0) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a81591a047106e68c.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=30&h=30&f=webp&c=103817a9&v=5138b549e67308c597807c563c45b401fa97f3080190c5fe5723b2328fc0efb7) ### Robert De Haan Professor of Environmental StudiesMore ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/robert-de-haan) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a81596a0c56312c18.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=30&h=30&f=webp&c=e674e3e2&v=3657a1ad9021e816b75f6257e40e58a74267db56bf7a5840ac2cc966e9107909) ### Robbin Eppinga Professor of BiologyMore ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/robbin-eppinga) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815a1b8183fd0ae1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=30&h=30&f=webp&c=6e2b90f8&v=6287dfd8aa5cc4ebac60556bdd2b542f9394cbccb0090314f274584c0a04cfb0) ### Tony Jelsma Professor of BiologyMore ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/tony-jelsma) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815b8161c942e809.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=30&h=30&f=webp&c=e5cdb8ef&v=988928b312c03fe762266969de6f322f90b58e67aafb3e829e2e8b3a4b92fa5d) ### Jeff Ploegstra Professor of Biology and Dean for Foundational and Health SciencesMore ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/jeff-ploegstra) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815926239e791087.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=30&h=30&f=webp&c=3fd564df&v=4d052a4be56a2282cababfa3a6eea3a248d8cd9b36d0292b3538c459c49d1a87) ### Brittany De Ruyter Biology & Chemistry Lab InstructorMore ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/brittany-de-ruyter) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a8158de3a9b2b9828.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=30&h=30&f=webp&c=ad27c56b&v=2ab87a2cb43e306926475f07730e124bf28f9ff00331e30017e7836ea13a3746) ### Henry Byl Assistant AdjunctMore ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/henry-byl) ## Science and Technology Center As a biology minor, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building," the Science and Technology Center is home to numerous laboratories of varying sizes that are used for teaching and for student research projects. These labs include a molecular biology laboratory with genomics equipment allows upperclassmen to do DNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting, and other types of genetic analysis and a dedicated cell culture laboratory allows students to do mammalian tissue culture experiments. [View the Center](https://www.dordt.edu/about-dordt/campus-map/rooms/science-and-technology-center) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![A front exterior view of the Science and Technology Center](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/science-building750x750.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&c=78cefd20&v=f8595c6df40523f5cbfb75230bdcb6ed7108aef884a1aa13ab1d343ac2b742ed) ![]() ## Related Programs Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the [programs page](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs) to keep exploring your options. [ Bachelor's ![Female student dissecting an egg](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2022-10-21_002378.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=b255885e&v=87b99e51e860115d4f9e51eb6b02af2a4bf5bcb59c15f7c4278ebf948418a4d1) ### Biology Major ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/biology-ba) [ Bachelor's ![Students playing basketball](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-02-27_000485.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=09a8717b&v=1712926f45e93c5e045fc13f3af029dd899b4d659f59de1ea43d3710168c488c) ### Kinesiology Major ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/kinesiology-ba) [ Bachelor's ![Students study species in the pond](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/IMG_1370-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=b025c24b&v=aecb5f71869bfceb82446f6370a732beea440ff3c33fe8bea48e74320f0b7b06) ### Environmental Studies Major ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/environmental-studies-ba)