Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Biology, B.S.: 120 units


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Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

The curriculum matrix for the degree program may be found here. The curriculum matrix is the alignment of courses (curriculum) with the desired goals and student learning outcomes of the program. It shows what is taught and how these outcomes are achieved through the completion of the degree program. 

Major Required: 59-61 units


Note(s):


* Any General Education A2: Writing Communication credit is an acceptable substitution for ENG 1101  or ENG 1103 .

** Any General Education A3: Critical Thinking credit is an acceptable substitution for ENG 2105  or PHL 2020 .

*** It is recommended that students interested in Zoology should take BIO 3120  or BIO 3040 .

Major Electives: 29-31 units


  • Students can choose any courses from one or more emphases to fulfill the total needed elective units. Emphases are listed to provide guidance for choosing courses of interest in any focus area, but there is no requirement to choose a specific emphasis for fulfilling major electives units.
  • At least 12 units must be at 4000-level or above, which can include up to 4 units of research/service/internship courses (see below).
  • Up to 4 units combined from research supervisory, service learning, and internship courses can also count as major electives. These courses include BIO 2000  or BIO 4000 , BIO 4410 , BIO 4590S /BIO 4590AS , BIO 4610 , BIO 4620 , and BIO 4910S /BIO 4910AS .
  • Up to 5 units from any 2000, 3000, or 4000-level courses from any department in College of Science or College of Engineering that are not listed under Major Required can also count as major electives units.
  • Up to 3 additional units of 3000-level GE Synthesis B5 area courses offered by the Biological Sciences Department can also count as major electives units, independent from the 3-unit requirement listed under Major Required.
  • All special topics courses listed as BIO 2990 /BIO 2990A /BIO 2990L  or BIO 4990 /BIO 4990A /BIO 4990L  are not included in any emphasis below but they can also count as major electives.
  • *Courses are recommended for students interested in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.
  • **Courses are required for admission to Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) programs.

Emphasis 1 - Integrative Biology


Emphasis 2 - Botany


*Emphasis 4 - Microbiology


*Emphasis 5 - Neuroscience and Physiology


Emphasis 6 - Zoology


General Education Requirements: 48 units


Students should view their Degree Progress Report (DPR) for information regarding their General Education requirements. Unless specific GE courses are required for their major, please refer to the list of approved courses in the General Education Program in the University Catalog, https://catalog.cpp.edu. When viewing the catalog, students should select the catalog year associated with the GE requirements listed in their Degree Progress Report.

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 (9 units)


At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. U.S. History and American Ideals
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government
4. Social Science Synthesis

Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)


Area F. Ethnic Studies (3 units)


American Institutions: 6 units


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

Graduation Writing Test


The Graduation Writing Test (GWT) is suspended until Fall 2025. Students entering Cal Poly Pomona before Fall 2025 are not required to take the Graduation Writing Test.

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