Biotechnology, B.S.: 180 units

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

Required Core Courses for Major
Elective Core Courses

Required Support Courses
General Education Requirements

The Biotechnology major is an interdisciplinary program which provides students with a strong background in both biology and chemistry. It provides the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to understand the numerous industrial applications of biological phenomena, while emphasizing the study of cell and molecular biology. Students can select their upper division electives from five emphases: (1) Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology; (2) Physiology; (3) Biochemistry and Molecular Separation Techniques; (4) Food, Agriculture and Environment; (5) Policy and Business. An important feature of this major is an internship in a biotechnology laboratory for practical experience in the field. This program also satisfies the admission requirements for various graduate and preprofessional schools. This major requires admission to the Biological Sciences Department and completion of the units indicated below. The Biological Sciences Department also offers a curriculum leading to the Master of Science in Biology with emphasis in Biotechnology.

Required Core Courses for Major: 75 units

Elective Core Courses: 24 units

Upper Division Course Emphases

Emphasis 2: Physiology

Emphasis 3: Biochemistry and Molecular Seperation Techniques

Emphasis 4: Food, Agriculture, and Environment

Emphasis 5: Policy and Business

In addition:

Up to 4 units of BIO 441 and/or BIO 461 and 2 units of BIO 462 may count towards core electives.

Note(s):

**500-level courses: No more than 13 units may be counted towards an undergraduate degree. Students must have senior standing and at least a 2.75 GPA. A special petition must be filed to receive undergraduate credit for graduate courses taken as a senior.

Required Support Courses: 41 units

The following major support courses should be used to satisfy the indicated GE requirements. If these courses are not used to satisfy GE, the total units to degree may be more than 180 units.

General Education Requirements: 68 units

Students should consult the Academic Programs website https://www.cpp.edu/~academic-programs/general-education-course-listings.shtml for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are stated under Support Courses, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

	Course	Term Taken	Grade
Area A. Communication and Critical Thinking (12 units)
1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Critical Thinking
Area B. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (16 units)
1. Physical Science
2. Biological Science
3. Laboratory Activity
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
5. Science and Technology Synthesis
Area C. Humanities (16 units)
1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. Philosophy and Civilization
3. Literature and Foreign Languages
4. Humanities Synthesis
Area D. Social Sciences (20 units)
1. U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals a. United States History b. Introduction to American Government
2. History, Economics, and Political Science
3. Sociology, Anthropology, Ethnic and Gender Studies
4. Social Science Synthesis
Area E. Lifelong Understanding and Self-development (4 units)

For an alternative and interdisciplinary way to complete some of their GE requirements, students may choose the Interdisciplinary General Education program, see below.

Interdisciplinary General Education: 32 units

An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, D, and E available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program. Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major. Students must be exempt from or score at least 147 on the EPT to qualify for IGE. Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.

How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:

Year	Completion of IGE Courses	Satisfies GE Requirements
Freshman	IGE 120 , IGE 121 , IGE 122	A2 as well as any 2 courses from C1-C3
Sophomore	IGE 220 , IGE 221 , IGE 222	D1 (8 units) and D3
Junior	IGE 223 , IGE 224	D2 and Area E

American Institutions: 8 units

Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Area D1.

American Cultural Perspectives Requirement: 4 units

Refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for a list of courses that satisfy this requirement. Course may also satisfy major, minor, GE, or unrestricted elective requirements.

Graduation Writing Test

All persons who receive undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT). The test must be taken by the quarter following completion of 120 units for undergraduates.