Environmental Biology, B.S.: 120 units

Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

Major Required
Major Electives

Re stricted Electives
General Education Requirements

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 .

Major Electives: 32-34 units

Breadth Electives

Select a minimum of 6-7 units from the list below (see recommended courses in each Emphasis):
CHM 3150 - Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHM 3150L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
CHM 3210 - Elements of Biochemistry (3) or
CHM 3270 - Biochemistry I (3)
CHM 3270L - Biochemistry Laboratory I (1)
GEO 2400 - Geographic Information Systems (2)
GEO 2400L - Geographic Information Systems Laboratory (1)
GSC 1110 - Principles of Geology (3) [B1]
GSC 1100 - Water in a Changing World (3) [B1]
PLT 2310 - Basic Soil Science (2)
PLT 2310L - Basic Soil Science Laboratory (1)
Select two (8 units) of the following three sets of courses:
BIO 2050 - Form and Function in Plants (3) and
BIO 2050L - Form and Function in Plants Laboratory (1)
OR
BIO 2060 - Basic Microbiology (3) and
BIO 2060L - Basic Microbiology Laboratory (1)
OR
BIO 2070 - Animal Biology (3) and
BIO 2070L - Animal Biology Laboratory (1)
OR
BIO 2370 - Introduction to Invertebrate Zoology (3) and
BIO 2370L - Introduction to Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory (1)
OR
BIO 2380 - Introduction to Vertebrate Zoology (3) and
BIO 2380L - Introduction to Vertebrate Zoology Laboratory (1)

Ecology Conservation and Biodiversity (ECB) Emphasis

Recommended Major Required and Breadth Courses:

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

Recommended Major Required and Breadth Courses:

Upper Division (EM) Electives:

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.

Summer Sponsored Experience: 0 unit

CPU 3003 - Cal Poly Pomona Undergraduate Sponsored Summer Experience (0)