Biotechnology, B.S.: 120 units

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Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

Major Required Core
Major Electives

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.

Major Required Core: 77 units

Major Electives: 16 units

Any combination of courses from the FIVE emphases of electives would satisfy this requirement. In addition, up to 2 units of BIO 4410 and/or BIO 4610 and one unit of BIO 4620 may count towards major electives.

Upper Division Course Emphases

Emphasis 1: Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology

Emphasis 2: Physiology

Emphasis 3: Biochemistry and Molecular Seperation Techniques

Emphasis 4: Food, Agriculture, and Environment

Emphasis 5: Policy and Business

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:

GE Area	Courses
A2	IGE 1100 and IGE 1200
C1	IGE 2100 or IGE 2200
C2	IGE 1100 , IGE 1200 , IGE 2100 , or IGE 2200
D1	IGE 2300 or IGE 2400
D3	IGE 2300 or IGE 2400
C3	IGE 3100
D4	IGE 3100

revised 07/17/2024

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.