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


Note(s):


* Choice depends on Emphasis

** 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 .

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 from the BIO electives below 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: 0-6 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 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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