Genetics Minor

Academic Requirements

The Department of Genetics offers an undergraduate Minor in Genetics to provide students with strong preparation in the principles of Genetics and Molecular Biology, as well as preparation in ancillary fields such as Statistics and Biochemistry. This Minor is appropriate for (but not limited to) students with majors in Plant and Soil Sciences, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Crop Science, Environmental Technology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Natural Resources, Nutrition Science, Plant Biology, Poultry Science, and Zoology.

The Genetics Minor requires 17 credit hours: 8 hours of required courses and 9 hours of electives

 Required Core Courses

  • GN 311 Principles of Genetics 4 cr.
  • GN 312 Elementary Genetics Laboratory 1 cr.
  • GN 421 Molecular Genetics or BCH 453 Biochemistry of Gene Expression 3 cr.

Elective Courses Category A

Select 3 credit hours from the following courses

  • GN 423 Population, Quantitative and Evolutionary Genetics 3 cr.
  • GN 427 Introductory Bioinformatics 3 cr.
  • GN 428 Introduction to Machine Learning in Biology 3 cr.
  • GN 434 Genes and Development 3 cr.
  • GN 441 Human and Biomedical Genetics 3 cr.
  • GN 450 Conservation Genetics 3 cr.
  • GN 451 Genome Science 3 cr.
  • GN 456 Epigenetics, Development, and Disease 3 cr.
  • GN 496/GN497 Genetics Research/Teaching Experience1 3 cr.

Elective Courses Category B

Select 6 credit hours from the following courses with at least 3 credit hours at the 300 level or higher  

  • ANS 2152 Agricultural Genetics 3 cr.
  • ANS 440 Animal Genetic Improvement 3 cr.
  • BIO 270 Introduction to Evolution 3 cr.
  • BIO 310 Quantitative Approaches to Biological Problems 3 cr.
  • BIO 330 Evolutionary Biology 3 cr.
  • BIO 361 Developmental Biology 3 cr.
  • BIO 432 Evolutionary Medicine 3 cr.
  • BIT 471 RNA Interference and Model Organisms 2 cr.
  • BIT 474 Plant Genetic Engineering 2 cr.
  • BIT 477 Metagenomics 2 cr.
  • BIT 479 High-Throughput Discovery 2 cr.
  • BIT 480 Yeast Metabolic Engineering 2 cr.
  • CS 2112 Plant Genetics 3 cr.
  • CS 413 Plant Breeding 3 cr.
  • ES 433 Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for Conservation and Society
  • FOR 411 Forest Tree Genetics and Biology 3 cr.
  • GN 301 Genetics in Human Affairs 3 cr.
  • HS 2152 Agricultural Genetics 3 cr.
  • HS 403 Plant Micropropagation and Tissue Culture
  • MB 455 Microbial Biotechnology 3 cr.
  • MEA 452 Genetics in Marine Science
  • PB 422/522 Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Physiology
  • PB 480 Introduction to Plant Biotechnology 3 cr.

 

1 Course options include GN 496 Genetics Research Experience, GN 497 Genetics Teaching Experience, and BSC 498 Biological Sciences Honors Project Part 2. Project must involve a genetics topic and must be approved in writing by the Director of the Undergraduate Genetics Program prior to beginning the project. These courses can be taken for credit only. 

2 Course must be taken prior to GN 311 in order to count for the Genetics minor.

  • A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all Genetics Minor courses.
  • No course used in the minor can be taken for credit only (S/U) with the exception of the Research/Teaching Experience courses.
  • Courses taken for the minor can also be used toward major requirements, GEP electives, or free electives.
  • At least 9 credit hours used toward the minor must be completed at NC State University.

Declaring the Genetics Undergraduate Minor

To apply for the minor, students need 12 hours of credit at NCSU, a 2.0 cumulative GPA and C or better in GN 311. Students are strongly encouraged to declare the minor early in their programs so they receive information on Genetics courses and activities from the Undergraduate Coordinator.

Certification

The advisor will certify the minor prior to graduation. The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her degree program.

Genetics Minor Coordinator:

Dr Whitney M Jones

wmjones4@ncsu.edu

Associate Teaching Professor

Director Undergraduate Genetics Program