Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 University Catalog 
    
2019-2020 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Biology, B.S.: 120 units


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Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

The Environmental Biology major is designed for students who want to help solve the environmental problems threatening the organisms and life support systems of our planet. Students are able to specialize by selecting most of their upper-division courses from one of two emphases: 1) Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity and 2) Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology. The Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity emphasis prepares students to identify and protect critical habitat, manage rare and endangered species, and design ecological preserves. The Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology emphasis emphasizes laboratory research to assess water and air quality, transport and fate of pollutants, and environmental health in general. All students conduct an independent research project or complete an internship with a participating agency or private organization. This provides practical problem-solving experience to complement classroom, laboratory, and field studies.

Major Required: 58-59 units


Ecology Conservation and Biodiversity (ECB) Emphasis


Upper Division ECB Electives:


Select 17-19 units from the list of approved emphasis elective courses. At least 10 units must be taken at the 4000 or 5000 level. Up to 2 units of BIO 4410  and/or BIO 4610  may count towards upper division emphasis electives. Only one B5 course may count towards upper division emphasis electives.

Environmental Microbiology (EM) Emphasis


Restricted Electives: 0-3 units


Select a sufficient number of 2000, 3000, or 4000 level courses so that the total from “Major Required”, Major Electives”, “GE”, and “Restricted Electives” is at least 120 units. BIO 2000 , BIO 4000 , BIO 4590S /BIO 4590AS , and BIO 4910S /BIO 4910AS  may count towards restricted electives.

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)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Oral Communication      
2. Written Communication      
3. Critical Thinking      
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
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)
At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-areas 1 and/or 2
1. Visual and Performing Arts      
2. Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization      
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis      
Area D. Social Sciences (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
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 C2
Sophomore IGE 2100 , IGE 2200   C1 and C2
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 Areas 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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