Biotechnology, B.S.: 120 units

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Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

Major Required
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. Students interested in bioengineering or bioinformatics are encouraged to take a minor in Biophysics, Computer Sciences, or any engineering minor programs. This major requires admission to the Biological Sciences Department and completion of the units indicated below.

Major Required: 74-75 units

Major Electives: 15-16 units

Any combination of courses from the FIVE emphases of electives would satisfy this requirement. Emphases are listed to provide guidance for selecting courses that best fit to your career goals. There is no requirement to declare a specific emphasis. In addition, up to 3 units combined from BIO 4000 , BIO 4410 , BIO 4610 , and BIO 4620 may count towards major electives. Students who take MAT 1200 will need 16 units of Major Electives. Students who take MAT 1140 will need 15 units of Major Electives.

*Some courses may require 1000- or 2000-level prerequisites. These prerequisites cannot count towards degree.

Upper Division Course Emphases

Emphasis 1: Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology

Emphasis 2: Physiology

Emphasis 3: Biochemistry and Molecular Separation 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) 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.