Organismal Biology, minor

Program Overview

Are you fascinated by the natural world and have always wondered why things are made the way they are? Would you describe yourself as inquisitive or strategic? Do you have a desire to study life and all its physical properties, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals? If so, a minor in organismal biology could be an excellent complement to your major.

A minor in organismal biology from PLNU offers a specialized route to investigate the role organisms play in biological systems. You will take ecology and biology classes that provide hands-on learning opportunities to study structure and function at the level of the entire organism. Electives like plant biology, vertebrate biology, animal behavior, marine ecology, and more offer you unique options to explore different roles in the diversity of life.

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Spotlight

Dawne Page, Ph.D.

Dr. Dawne Page, chair of the Department of Biology, holds a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of California, San Francisco, and teaches courses in genetics and immunology. Her research involves exploring B cell development and maturation in zebrafish.

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You will also be able to work side-by-side with passionate and knowledgeable professors within classroom labs and field experiences. Other unique hands-on learning opportunities can be found in student-led science clubs, faculty-assisted research projects, and internships with local organizations. You'll also have access to sophisticated instrumentation and computational resources for use in courses and labs, all housed within our new state-of-the-art science center.

Individuals in Lab Coats

Seeking the Unseen

Dr. Kris Koudelka, assistant professor of biology, spends his days working in the realm of the invisible.

Read More in the Viewpoint Online Magazine

Course List

For information about the courses required for the Organismal Biology, minor program, view the PLNU Catalog.

Course Information

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Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

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Student Profile

Tanner Matthews

PLNU doesn’t just give you the tools you need to get a job once you graduate; it teaches you how to be human, to ask questions, to never stop learning, to find comfort in your doubts, to seek truth, and to be a follower of Christ.

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Career Opportunities

A minor in organismal biology is a natural complement to any science-related major. Employers like zoos, aquariums, museums, laboratories, and veterinary hospitals are looking for individuals armed with a specialized understanding of living things and their role within the environment. PLNU alumni are also sought after for the ways they are able to confidently integrate and apply their faith, knowledge, and skill set into their work.

People with a passion for organismal biology tend to pursue careers as:

  • Laboratory Technicians
  • Science Educators
  • Ecologists
  • Veterinary Technicians
  • Marine Biologists
  • Botanists
Lane Votapka headshot

Student Profile

Lane Votapka

Lane Votapka is a postdoctoral researcher at the Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology at Stony Brook University in Long Island, New York. He conducts research examining the molecular mechanisms underlying biology, particularly the molecules that cause disease.

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Department Faculty

Get Involved

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Science and Religion Club

Join PLNU students and faculty to engage with each other and the community about the connections between the studies of modern science and Christian faith.
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The Biology Club (TriBeta)

TriBeta is the national biology honors society comprised of biology, biology-chemistry, and environmental science majors and faculty from PLNU.