Program Description
The Dyson business minor for life sciences (DBMLS) prepares you for a successful career at the intersection of science and business. The minor's curriculum focuses on basic business fundamentals and courses that complement life science topics. You will learn not only about entrepreneurship, marketing, management, finance, and economics, but also how these subjects are applied to life sciences career paths.
This minor is popular among pre-med, pre-dental, and pre-vet students. The coursework provides a grounding in business principles that can help you understand the economic environment in which you'll eventually practice.
The DBMLS was established by way of a generous gift from Dr. Jonathan Levine '76 and Stacey Levine, and Dr. David Levine '88 and Davena Levine '88.
Eligibility
The DBMLS is open to students majoring in certain life sciences subjects within Cornell's colleges/schools listed below. Students are eligible to sign up for the minor as early as their first year and no later than their sixth semester.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Animal Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Biological Engineering
- Biological Sciences
- Biology and Society
- Biometry and Statistics
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Entomology
- Environment and Sustainability
- Food Science
- Global and Public Health Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- International Agriculture and Rural Development
- Nutritional Sciences
- Plant Sciences
- Viticulture and Enology
College of Arts and Sciences
- Biology and Society
- Biological Sciences
- Environment and Sustainability
College of Engineering
College of Human Ecology
- Global and Public Health Sciences
- Human Biology, Health, and Society
- Human Development
- Nutritional Sciences
School of Public Policy
Academic Policies
A minimum of 12 unique credits (outside of major's core requirements) must be taken to complete any/all minors. Some majors may be required to take an additional course to satisfy this requirement. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C or better is required.
Minor Requirements
Required Credits
This minor requires a total of 16.5 credits to complete, which includes 3 foundation credits and 13.5 core credits. From the total credits, 9 must be taken at Cornell University, and 7.5 must be Johnson College of Business (JCB) courses, which include any course code of AEM, HADM, NBA, or NCC. *Note - in many cases, the Cornell and JCB requirements will overlap (e.g. AEM 2241 Finance is a JCB course and a Cornell course, so it will satisfy 3 credits for each requirement).
Foundation Courses
This minor requires 3 credits in microeconomics. We recommend taking this course before taking the minor's core courses and require it to be completed by your sixth semester. A letter grade of C or better is required.
Introductory Microeconomics (3 Credits)
One of the following courses is required:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ECON 1110 | Introductory Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 3030 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| PUBPOL 2000 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 4 |
Core Requirements
The remaining 13.5 credits must be fulfilled by taking courses in the five areas listed below, which includes 3 credits that are related to your career goals. A letter grade of C or better is required. Please note that 7.5 credits must be Johnson College of Business (JCB) courses.
Management/Marketing (3 Credits)
Financial Accounting (3 Credits)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 2210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| HADM 2230 | Financial Accounting Principles | 3 |
| NCC 5500 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
Finance (3 Credits)
Capstone Course (1.5 Credits)
The following course is required:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 4661 | Business Simulation Capstone for Business Minors in Life Sciences | 1.5 |
Career Goals (3 Credits)
3 credits from the following list of courses is required. You may find the categories below helpful in selecting your courses to align with your post-graduation plans.
Entrepreneurship
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 2220 | Dilemmas in Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| AEM 3110 | Design and Innovation | 3 |
| AEM 3249 | Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy | 3 |
| AEM 3251 | The Business Laboratory and New Venture Management | 3 |
| AEM 4355 | Healthcare Entrepreneurship: Perspectives and Controversies | 1.5 |
| NBA 5070 | Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers | 3 |
| NBA 6650 | The Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation | 3 |
Life Sciences Business and Human/Veterinary Medicine
Management, Marketing, Accounting, and Finance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 3120 | | 1 |
| AEM 3205 | Ethics in Business and Organizations | 3 |
| AEM 3230 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| NBA 6720 | Family Enterprise Management and Governance | 1.5 |
| NCC 5540 | Managing and Leading in Organizations | 3 |
Tools and Frameworks for Entrepreneurs and Practitioners
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 2011 | Spreadsheet Modeling for Non-Dyson Majors | 3 |
| AEM 3310 | Introduction to Business Regulation | 3 |
| AEM 4190 | Strategic Thinking | 3 |
| AEM 4655 | | 3 |
