Oct 30, 2025  
2012-2013 University Catalog (Revised 2012-10-02) 
    
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2012-2013 University Catalog (Revised 2012-10-02) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biotechnology, B.S.

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Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

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 six clusters: (1) Physiology; (2) Molecular Biology and Genetics; (3) Microbiology and Pathology; (4) Biochemistry and Molecular Separation Techniques; (5) Agriculture; and, (6) Business. Twenty units must be chosen from one of these clusters (referred to as the student’s primary cluster) and an additional 7 units from the other five clusters. This will allow the individual to specialize in a particular area. 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: 27 units

At least 20 units from one “Primary” cluster and 7 units from any of the other five clusters, to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor. See Upper Division Course Clusters”.

Upper Division Course Clusters

 

Cluster 1 - Physiology

 

Cluster 2 - Molecular Biology and Genetics

 

Cluster 3 - Microbiology and Pathology

 

Cluster 4 - Biochemistry and Molecular Separation Techniques

 

Cluster 5 - Agriculture

 

Cluster 6 - 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. Conditions which must be met to use these for undergraduate units are: a total of no more than 13 units may be used for undergraduate credit, the student must have senior standing and at least a 2.75 upper-division GPA. A special petition must be filed to receive undergraduate credit for graduate courses.

Required Support Courses: 37 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 catalog website www.csupomona.edu/~academic/catalog/ for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are stated under Support Courses, see the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

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
  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)

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