Nov 08, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Biological Sciences


www.cpp.edu/~sci/biological-sciences/

Erin Questad, Chair

Steve Alas
Peter Arensburger
Paul Beardsley
Rachel Blakey
Edward Bobich
Andrea Alquati Bonisoli
Nancy E. Buckley
Jeremy Claisse
Wendy Dixon
Douglas Durrant
Jason Ear
Juanita Jellyman
Glenn H. Kageyama
A. Kristopher Lappin
Joan Leong
Tatiana Lima
Wei-Jen Lin
Junjun Liu
Frances Mercer
Janel Ortiz
Elizabeth Scordato
Bharti Sharma
Jayson Smith
Jamie Snyder
Christos Stathopoulos
Andrew D. Steele
Robert J. Talmadge
Yuanxiang Zhao

The Biological Sciences Department offers bachelor’s degree programs in Biotechnology, Environmental Biology, and Biology. The department also offers minor programs in Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology, as well as participates in interdisciplinary minors in Environmental Health Specialist and Physiology. Concurrent enrollment in two of the majors offered by the Biological Sciences Department is not allowed.

For those planning a career as a secondary school teacher either middle school or high school, a Single Subject Credential in science is required. Before entering a single subject credential program, students must demonstrate subject matter competency by either passing the appropriate state-approved examination (CSET) or completing a state approved subject matter preparation program in Biology.  Prospective teachers are encouraged to contact the Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (CEMaST) early in their academic programs at cemast@cpp.edu or 909-869-4063.

Departmental facilities include molecular and organismal biology laboratories, greenhouses, controlled environmental units, a bioinformatics computing cluster, plant and animal collections, a confocal microscopy room, BioTrek Rainforest and Ethnobotany Learning Centers, and the Mesozoic Garden Learning Center. Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and education in computational and experimental techniques applied to molecular biology and biotechnology are supported by both our modern laboratory facilities and university-wide facilities. Ecological studies are facilitated by accessibility to natural habitats on campus and by the university’s proximity to desert, mountain, and seashore areas. Courses in terrestrial, marine and freshwater biology provide preparation for teaching, conservation, wildlife management, or graduate research in biology. Additional courses in the marine sciences are accessible through the CSU Ocean Studies Institute. A variety of field biology courses utilize the CSU Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx, near Baker, California. In addition, students can join student organizations such as the Biotechnology Club and various pre-professional student clubs, which can be found at https://mybar.cpp.edu/organizations. For pre-professional advising, please visit https://www.cpp.edu/preprofessional/index.shtml.  For additional information, please visit the department website https://www.cpp.edu/sci/biological-sciences/index.shtml.

A cumulative 2.0 GPA is required in core courses in all Biological Sciences majors in order to receive a degree in that major.

Programs

    BachelorMinorMasterRoadmap: 4-yearRoadmap: 2-year ADT

    Courses

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