Prospective Student FAQ
What colleges at Iowa State University offer the Genetics major?
Student may major in Genetics in either the College of Agriculture or in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Core coursework does not differ within the colleges, however students have different general education requirements.
See the Genetics Major Requirements List for more details. You will need Adobe Acrobat 7.0 to open this file.
What if I'd like to minor in Genetics?
A minor in Genetics is available. Genetics minors are completed by taking a total of 15 credit hours of specified coursework. Please see the Minor Requirements List below for details. Minors must have at least nine credits from those fifteen which do not count towards other requirements.
Students majoring in Biology may not minor in Genetics.
Minor Coursework You will need Adobe Acrobat 7.0 to open this file.
Minors must be declared the semester before graduation. See advisors for details.
Can I double major in Genetics?
A double major can be declared if student chooses to take all of the major requirements in Genetics. Students don't have to repeat General Education classes.
Students majoring in Biology may not double major in Genetics.
Double major Requirements You will need Adobe Acrobat 7.0 to open this file.
What kinds of courses will I take as a Genetics major?
Students majoring in Genetics will experience a challenging program that well-prepares them for careers or further study in any life science field.
Four Year plan, Agriculture College
Four Year plan, Liberal Arts and Sciences College
You will need Adobe Acrobat 7.0 to open these files.
I've heard a lot about Learning Communities.
Does Genetics have a learning community?
Yes! Genetic's new learning community was created in the Fall of 2006. It's called 'The Secret of Life', because scientists in genetics often think of DNA as holding the key to the many questions the world has about disease, behavior, heredity and more.
Students are welcome to be members of more than one learning community. Genetics students often choose the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) learning community, Multicultural learning community, Advancing Citizenship Together (ACT),
If you aren't sure what learning communities are all about, or you'd simply like to learn more, please visit Iowa State's Learning Community page.
Visit the Secret of Life's Learning Community Homepage
What if I'm a transfer student?
Iowa State admissions will carefully evaluate your transcripts and decide which courses are direct equivalents to Iowa State's coursework.
For many colleges in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota and Illinois, admissions has already evaluated many courses. The complete list of course equivalents can be found at admissions's course equivalency page.
In some cases, direct equivalents cannot be made: these courses do transfer as either a freshman level (100-) course or a sophomore level (200-) course in the department listed in front of the number (i.e. ACCT, BUS, CHEM) in the ISU Equivalent column.
Genetics has transfer plans for a few Iowa community colleges. More are currently under construction.
DMACC transfer plan for LAS (MS Word) (PDF)
DMACC transfer plan for CALS (MS Word) (PDF)
Can I use AP credit in the Genetics program?
Iowa State does accept AP credit. In some cases, a high score earns students credit for an actual Iowa State class (or two!).
There are certain requirements for Genetics students which can be replaced by AP credits. Please see the sheet below for details.
AP Credit for Genetics (MS Word) (PDF)
For a complete guide on AP credits, visit Iowa State admissions's Credit by Examination page.
What if I'd like more information?
We encourage students to visit the campus whenever possible. The Office of Admissions can set up a campus visit or students can visit with their families on a designated 'Experience Iowa State' Day. Campus visits cover a wide variety of topics including housing, financial aid and many other topics common to new or transfer students.
See the Office of Admissions website for more details.
Students may also contact the program coordinator, Jack Girton or the academic advisor for Genetics, Jennifer Clair-Toy.
