The School of Integrative Biology offers minors in Integrative Biology, Ecology, and Sustainability. These minors allow students to explore their interests in biology and environmental studies while gaining valuable skills and knowledge to apply in their future careers.
As a student in the Integrative Biology Minor program, you will have the opportunity to study the fundamental principles of biology and how they apply to a wide range of organisms and ecosystems. You will take courses in genetics, ecology, evolution, and organismal biology, giving you a broad understanding of the field.
The Ecology Minor is designed for students who want to focus on the interrelationships between organisms and their environment. You will learn about ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, conservation biology, and more. This minor is perfect for students who want to pursue careers in environmental science, wildlife management, or ecology research.
The Sustainability Minor is ideal for students who are interested in finding solutions to environmental challenges facing our planet. You will explore topics such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and resource management. This minor prepares students for careers in sustainability consulting, corporate sustainability, or policy advocacy.
For more information, please contact our Advising Team.
Minor in Integrative Biology
A minor in Integrative Biology is ideal for students intending to have a career in a field other than biology, but for whom a background in biology is nevertheless complementary, e.g. law, technology, bioinformatics, business, scientific writing, and engineering.
Interested students should see an IB advisor to complete the minor declaration form.
| Hours | Course Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | IB 150 - Organismal and Evolutionary Biology (4 hours) or IB 103 - Introduction to Plant Biology (4 hours) or IB 104 - Animal Biology (4 hours) |
| 6-8 | Two of the following: IB 202 - Physiology (3 hours, lecture only; 4 hours, with lab) IB 203 - Ecology (4 hours) IB 204 - Genetics (3 hours, lecture only; 4 hours, with lab) IB 302 - Evolution (4 hours) |
| 6-8 | Two additional courses at the 300 or 400 level selected from List of Area Courses [LINK] for the IB Major*. |
| TOTAL HOURS: 16-20 |
*Please note: all prerequisite courses must be taken if specified, and students must complete 6 advanced hours of coursework that are distinct from advanced hours required for their major.
Minor in Ecology & Conservation Biology
A minor in Ecology and Conservation Biology points students toward getting strength in this sub-discipline of biology. Preparation for many careers is advanced by coursework in ecology and conservation, e.g. environmental lawyer, environmental consultant, conservation technician, and environmental educator.
Interested students should see an IB advisor to complete the minor declaration form.
| Hours | Course Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | IB 150 - Organismal and Evolutionary Biology |
| 4 | IB 203 - Ecology |
| 3-4 | IB 204 - Genetics |
| 6-8 | Select two courses from the following list*: NRES/IB 348 - Fish and Wildlife Ecology IB 362 - Marine Biology IB 431 - Behavioral Ecology CPSC 431/IB 440 - Plants and Global Change IB 443 - Evolutionary Ecology IB 444 - Insect Ecology IB 451 - Conservation Biology IB 452 - Ecosystem Ecology IB 453 - Community Ecology |
| TOTAL HOURS: 17-20 |
*Please note: all prerequisite courses must be taken if specified, and students must complete 6 advanced hours of coursework that are distinct from advanced hours required for their major.
Minor in Sustainability
Sustainability, Energy and Environment Fellows Program (SEE FP)
The Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Fellows Program (SEE FP) is a campuswide undergraduate minor that prepares students for pursuing careers in the corporate sector, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and environmental advocacy groups. Students are encouraged to apply in the spring semester of their freshman year and start the coursework for the SEE FP in the fall of their sophomore year.
Why is true sustainability so hard to achieve? Behind every environmentally friendly practice is a web of consequences, trade-offs, feedbacks, and barriers — and this undergraduate minor administered by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) will help you develop a systems-level perspective of the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability to help you navigate them.
To find out more about the minor and the enrollment process, email Professor Madhu Khanna, iSEE Associate Director for Education & Outreach, at see-fellows@illinois.edu.
Requirements
Students eligible for enrollment in this undergraduate minor should have:
- An overall grade-point average of 3.0
- Enrolled in at least the second semester of instruction at the University of Illinois
How to Apply
- Step 1: Go to http://bit.ly/SEE-fp and navigate to Apply Now.
- Step 2: Download and fill in application form.
- Step 3: Write a personal essay, no more than two pages, on how your participation in SEE FP will help you fulfill educational, personal, and/or professional goals.
- Step 4: Acquire a digital copy of your official or unofficial transcript.
- Step 5: Email application form, personal essay, and transcript as attachments to see-fellows@illinois.edu.
| Hours | Courses |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Sustainability |
|
| 3 | Choose one from the following:
|
| 3 | ENVS 301: Tools for Sustainability |
|
Economic/Policy/Social Dimensions |
|
| 3-4 | Choose one from the following:
|
| Environmental/Natural Systems | |
| 3-4 | Choose one from the following:
|
| 4 | ENVS: Capstone Course |
| TOTAL HOURS: 16-18 |
NOTE: The SEE FP is being offered in partnership with six academic units — the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE), the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), the School of Integrative Biology (SIB), the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), the School of Earth, Society and Environment (SESE), and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) — which are also contributing teaching faculty.