Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 University Catalog (Revised 2012-10-02) 
    
2012-2013 University Catalog (Revised 2012-10-02) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Science


http://sci.csupomona.edu/

Brian Jersky, Dean
Kristine Hartney, Interim Associate Dean
Craig Rich, Interim Associate Dean

The curricula offered in the College of Science combine fundamental education in science or mathematics with a broad human outlook, aimed at developing the students’ mental horizons beyond the limits of their immediate vocational objectives.

Each curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for specific professional positions in industry, government, and teaching or for graduate and professional work in their disciplines. The four-year sequence covers the basic major courses and has sufficient free electives to allow the students to develop specializations within the major and closely-related fields.

General education courses are offered for all students. The need to understand the concepts of modern science and mathematics and their relationship to life in our present world is important. The College of Science also offers basic supporting courses for students enrolled in the professional and technological degree programs in other colleges of the university.

Majors in eight fields leading to the bachelor of science degree are offered by the College of Science. Information concerning the master’s curricula may be found in the graduate listings.

The standard teaching credential program is offered for both the elementary specialization and the secondary specialization in a number of majors and minors.

A pre-professional program is offered for students preparing for medical, dental, or veterinary or other health career schools.

The College of Science actively fosters dialogue and joint research among campus scientists through special institutes and symposia. The Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology (see catalog section on “Special University Centers”) and the Institute for Advanced Systems Studies are particularly active in these areas.

An active co-curricular program includes the Science Council; Beta Beta Beta Biological honor society; Biological Sciences Club; Microbiology Club; a chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon (mathematics); a chapter of student affiliates of the American Chemical Society; Society of Physics Students; Sigma Pi Sigma, national honor society in physics; Upsilon Pi Epsilon, national honor society in Computer Science; the Geology Club and other organizations.

The College of Science supports the concept of international education and encourages students to investigate opportunities for overseas study. Certain courses taken at CSU International Program study centers in foreign countries are equivalent to courses in the College of Science and may be used to fulfill some of the degree requirements offered by the College and/or certain general education requirements. Students should consult the International Programs Bulletin (which is available at the International Center), a department advisor, or the campus International Programs Coordinator for more information.

Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE)

Students majoring in the various programs in science are encouraged to take part of their General Education requirements through the Interdisciplinary General Education Program (IGE). This IGE program is specially designed to meet the needs of science students particularly in the areas of writing, critical thinking, humanities and the social sciences.

Comparative Systems Analysis Minor

The Minor is designed to complement a wide variety of major fields from the various schools in the University. The diverse specialties of Systems Analysis in Business, Management, Information Systems, Computer Systems, Environmental Design fields and Engineering constitute the fastest growing job category in the United States over the next decade according to government statistics. Students completing this Minor in conjunction with a major in their specialty fields will have developed skills in high demand for analyzing complex modern societal problems. Coursework in this Minor emphasizes the pure science aspects of systems; it focuses on what might be called the special theoretical knowledge of systems fundamental to the many practical applications mentioned above. Laboratory and field experiences in the Minor focus on application of transdisciplinary techniques and methodology and expose the student to ideas and faculty from a broad spectrum of specialties unified by general systems analytic approaches. According to our surveys, CSA graduates are sought after by high technology firms because they are adept at the critically-needed skills of large-scale, interdisciplinary team communications and production. The Minor and Certificate in Comparative Systems Analysis requires the completion of a minimum of 32 units. Admission to the Minor and Certificate Programs is required previous to enrollment in these courses.

Environmental Health Specialist Minor

The Environmental Health Specialist Minor is an interdisciplinary program which may be pursued by majors in any field. Its purpose is to prepare students for careers as environmental health specialists by meeting the standards for the state internship program. State-employed specialists enforce and administer laws governing water, food and air contamination, noise, land-use planning, occupational health hazards, and animal vectors of disease. The minor is particularly suitable for students majoring in Biology, Biotechnology, Environmental Biology, and Agricultural Biology.

A full description of the minor is in the “University Programs” section of this catalog.

Physiology Minor

The Physiology Minor is an interdisciplinary program which can be elected by students majoring in any field. Its purpose is to improve the training and advising of students in order to facilitate their pursuit of careers in biomedical fields utilizing a knowledge of Physiology. It is particularly appropriate for students majoring in Animal Science, Behavioral Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology, Environmental Biology, Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Biomedical Engineering), Foods and Nutrition, and Kinesiology.

A full description of the minor is located in the “University Programs” section of this catalog.

Science, Technology, and Society Major

The Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Major is an interdisciplinary program which integrates knowledge in the natural sciences and in technology as well as in history, philosophy, sociology, economics, political science, geography, and anthropology. Students are capable of earning a Bachelor of Arts in Science, Technology, and Society. The STS Major prepares students for jobs that require scientific and technological literacy as well as a broad perspective on science and technology and an ability to write and argue from this perspective. Such jobs include those in law or business which are engaged with aspects of science and technology, in science and technology public policy making or analysis, in science and technology public interest advocacy, and in science journalism.

A full description of the Major is in the “University Programs” section of this catalog.

Science, Technology, and Society Minor

The Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Minor is an interdisciplinary program which integrates knowledge in the natural sciences and in technology as well as in the humanities and social sciences. The STS Minor provides science and technology majors with a sense of how science and technology exists in a broader human context. (By contrast the Major opens opportunities for writing- and argument-intensive science- and technology-related careers (such as those in science-and technology-related law and public policy) which are alternative to careers as scientists and technologists.)

A full description of rthe Minor is in the “University Programs” section of this catalog.

Departments and Majors

Biological Sciences
Sepehr Eskandari, Chair

Biology major (BS); Subplan in Botany; Subplan in General Biology; Subplan in Microbiology; Subplan in Zoology; Biotechnology major (BS); Environmental Biology major (BS).

Minors in Botany, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Zoology, Environmental Health Specialist, Physiology, and Comparative Systems Analysis.

Master of Science in Biological Sciences.

Chemistry
Lisa Alex, Chair

Chemistry major (BS) Subplan in Chemistry; Subplan in Chemical Sciences; Subplan in Industrial Chemistry; Subplan in Molecular Modeling and Simulation

Minor in Chemistry
Master of Science in Chemistry

Computer Science
Robert Kerbs, Interim Chair

Computer Science major (BS)
Minor in Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science

Geological Sciences
Jonathan A. Nourse, Chair

Geology Major (BS) emphasis in Geology, Geophysics/Earth Exploration, Water Resources.

Minor in Geology

Kinesiology and Health Promotion
Perky Vetter, Chair

Kinesiology major (BS); Subplans in Pedagogy, Exercise Science and Health Promotion
Master of Science in Kinesiology (MS)

Mathematics and Statistics
Alan Krinik, Interim Chair

Mathematics Major (BS); Subplan in Pure Mathematics; Subplan in
Applied Mathematics/Statistics;
Minors in Statistics and Mathematics
Master of Science in Mathematics

Physics
Steven McCauley, Chair

Physics Major (BS)
Physics Minor

Teacher Education and Professional Development

The College of Science offers numerous programs for preparing teachers of mathematics and science. The details of the science preparation programs can be found under the listings of the individual science departments. The mathematics subject matter preparation program is described in that department’s’ section. In addition, the College sponsors numerous professional development programs for pre-K through grade 12 teachers.

Cooperative Education

This program combines classroom study with closely-related work experience. Its basic purpose is to provide a means whereby a student can combine study at Cal Poly Pomona with work experience. For information contact Dr. Francis X. Flores in Building 8, Room 333, contact the office at (909) 869-3434 or visit http://coopweb.sci.csupomona.edu/.

Science Educational Enhancement Services (SEES)

Faculty Director: Barbara Burke, Extension 3664

SEES is a program that reflects the university’s commitment to providing educational services for students enrolled in the College of Science who are first-generation college students, unfamiliar with a university environment, or who for other reasons can benefit from working with faculty and other students to strengthen their connection to the University and enhance their ability to succeed academically. Recognizing the significance of a supportive academic climate, SEES has been established in the College of Science. SEES has an academic focus that constructs a community-based model of education which encourages learning through collaboration and ties together all facets of students’ college experiences including personal development, academic achievement, social and civic responsibility, cultural enjoyment, and continued learning related to graduate school and careers.

In SEES, entering students join a community of scholars within the College of Science and engage in academic domain-specific activities with university faculty, staff, peers, and industry and community representatives. Student participants benefit from personalized attention of caring faculty who strive to create a healthy and connected learning environment. SEES promotes academic achievement, college persistence, and improves graduation rates of students members.

Academic Excellence Workshops

An Academic ExcellenceWorkshop is a supplement to certain beginning level chemistry, mathematics, computer science, physics and engineering courses. The Workshop program promotes technical excellence in the subject area while also developing student communication skills under the guidance of a trained facilitator.

Graduate Studies

Each curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for specific professional positions in industry, government, and teaching or for graduate and professional work in their disciplines. The standard teaching credential program is offered for both the elementary specialization and the secondary specialization in a number of majors and minors. A pre-professional program is offered for students preparing for medical, dental, or veterinary or other health career schools.

The College of Science actively fosters dialogue and joint research among campus scientists through special institutes and symposia. The Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology (see catalog section on “Special University Centers”) and the Institute for Advanced Systems Studies are particularly active in these areas.

Graduate Degree Programs

Biological Sciences
Sepehr Eskandari, Chair
Master of Science in Biological Sciences.

Chemistry
Lisa Alex, Chair
Master of Science in Chemistry

Computer Science
Robert Kerbs, Interim Chair
Master of Science in Computer Science

Kinesiology and Health Promotion
Perky Vetter, Chair; Master of Science in Kinesiology, Subplan in Sports
Nutrition

Mathematics and Statistics
Alan Krinik, Interim Chair

Teacher Education and Professional Development

The College of Science offers numerous programs for preparing teachers of mathematics and science. The details of the science preparation programs can be found under the listings of the individual science departments. The mathematics subject matter preparation program is described in that department’s’ section. In addition, the College sponsors numerous professional development programs for pre-K through grade 12 teachers.

Biological Sciences

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Chemistry

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Computer Science

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Geological Sciences

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Kinesiology and Health Promotion

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Mathematics and Statistics

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Physics and Astronomy

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Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

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