Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
2018-2019 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, B.S.: 120 units


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Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

Major Required Core: 62-63 units


Major Electives: 30-31 units


Any combination of courses from the SIX emphases of electives would satisfy this requirement.  In consultation with an advisor, select and follow an emphasis that best fits your career goals. In addition, up to 2 units of BIO 4410  and/or BIO 4610  and one unit of BIO 4620  may count toward core electives.

Courses not listed may be acceptable following consultation with advisor.

*Emphases with asterisks are recommended for pre-professional students in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.  In addition, one year of organic chemistry with laboratories are required. One year of biochemistry with laboratories are also required for pharmacy and highly recommended for medicine and dentistry programs. For most updated and specific professional degree and school requirements, consult individual professional schools or the Pre-Professional advisor.

**Courses with double asterisks are required for the admission to the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) programs. In addition, CHM 2210 /2210L  is required for CLS and can be taken as an elective.

Biological Sciences Electives: 3-4 units


Approved electives include any 2000, 3000, or 4000-level courses in the Biological Sciences Department not specifically designed for non-majors.  Only 1-unit of BIO 2000  or BIO 4000  allowed.  Also included are any Chemistry or Math courses.  See advisor for approval of courses offered by other departments.

Emphasis Electives: 27 units


Emphasis 1 - Integrative Biology


Select from each of the three areas (A, B, and C) listed below, with at least one course from each area.

Emphasis 2 - Botany


*Emphasis 4 - Microbiology


**Required course for the admission to the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) programs.  In addition, CHM 2210 /2210L  is required and can be taken as an elective.

*Emphasis 5 - Neuroscience and Physiology


Emphasis 6 - Zoology


Unrestricted Electives: 0-1 units


Select a sufficient number of courses so that the total from “Major Required Core”, “Major Electives”, “GE, and “Unrestricted Electives” is at least 120 units.

General Education Requirements: 48 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 required, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

  Course Term Taken Grade
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)
1. Oral Communication      
2. Written Communication      
3. Critical Thinking      
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)
1. Physical Sciences      
2. Life Sciences      
3. Laboratory Activity      
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning      
5. Science and Technology Synthesis      
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units)
1. Visual and Performing Arts      
2a. Philosophy and Civilization      
2b. Literature and Language Other than English      
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis      
Area D. Social Sciences (12 units)
1. U.S. History and American Ideals      
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government      
3. Social Sciences: Principles, Methodologies, Value Systems, and Ethics      
4. Social Science Synthesis      
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 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: 21 units


An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program.  Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major.  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 1100 , IGE 1200   A2 and C2b
Sophomore IGE 2100 , IGE 2200   C1 and C2a
Junior IGE 2300 , IGE 2400   D1 and D3
Senior IGE 3100   C3 or D4

American Institutions: 6 units


Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Area D1 and D2.

American Cultural Perspectives Requirement: 3 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 semester following completion of 60 units for undergraduates.

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