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Cal Poly Pomona

Welcome to the Biological Sciences Department

Prete Environmental Science Fellowships

Prete Environmental Science Fellowships have been awarded for the Department of Biological Sciences starting in September of 2010. They are valued at about $9,700 for each of five undergraduate fellows, and about $20,855 for each of three graduate fellows. The application deadline is August 4, 2010.

RISE - NIH student development program

The 2009-2012 RISE program is a student development program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for minority-serving institutions. The long-range goal of the Cal Poly Pomona RISE program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students (URM) who complete Ph.D. degrees in biomedical and related disciplines. Undergraduate and graduate, full-time minority students at Cal Poly seeking to pursue a PhD degree in the biomedical or related sciences, with a Science GPA of 3.0 or better, are invited to apply to the RISE program.

CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research Program

The 2009-2012 California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Bridges to Stem Cell Research program is a government funded program for broadening the participation in stem cell research by individuals representing the diversity of California's population. Cal Poly Pomona, in collaboration with CSULA , has developed a quality stem cell education program to achieve this goal. For the program application and more information visit our website at http://www.csupomona.edu/~stemcellbridges/ .

Program for Applied Biotechnology Studies: Master of Biotechnology

This innovative two-year program is designed to provide solid training in the science skills fundamental to the biotechnology industry and a sound background in essential business skills. Students with bachelor’s degrees in molecular or cellular biology, biochemistry, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science, physics or business and an interest in working in biotechnology, medical device, or bioanalytics companies involved in these areas are encouraged to apply to the program. Pre-application forms are being accepted for Fall 2009. (Applicants cannot be admitted to the new program until final approval of the proposal is given by the State through the Chancellor’s Office.) Visit the PABS-MBT web site for more information.

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Math and Science Help (MaSH)

MaSH (Building 8 Room 304) offers tutoring in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

Biotechnology

Overview and resources available in Biotechnology at Cal Poly Pomona.

Environmental Biology

Overview and resources available in Environmental Biology at Cal Poly Pomona.

The Biodiesel Project at Cal Poly Pomona.

General Information - The Biological Sciences Department

The Biological Sciences Department incorporates the university's "learn by doing" philosophy in all of its programs-creating curricula that infuse fieldwork, research and laboratory experiences into its teaching and learning environments. Student Learning Objectives emphasize the concepts, abilities, skills, and values demonstrated by graduates from the department.

The department offers an undergraduate major in biotechnology, which is one of the few available in California. The department also offers a bachelor's degree in biology, (with options in biology, botany, microbiology, and zoology), as well as a degree program in environmental biology. Minor degree programs are offered in botany, plant biotechnology, plant pathology, microbiology, and zoology. Interdisciplinary minors are offered in comparative system analysis, environmental health, physiology, and quantitative research. A graduate program is offered leading to a Master of Science degree in the Biological Sciences. The area of specialization is determined on an individual basis.

The Biological Sciences Department offers:

  • A wide range of modern facilities, laboratories and technology resources;
  • On-site learning centers such as BioTrek;
  • Innovative research opportunities in close-to-campus environments and field work abroad;
  • Unique laboratory experiences via an on-campus ecological reserve, a nearby desert-studies field station and a sea-going research vessel;
  • Versatile curricula combining theory and a broad knowledge base with practical experience;
  • Numerous industry internships and research projects; and
  • Faculty dedicated to teaching and mentoring.

Curriculum

Biological Sciences students participate in broad-ranging programs that reach across disciplines to prepare them for a variety of careers.

Biology Major (Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology options)

Biology Option - students may choose to focus on a specific field of study such as environmental health or physiology. Other students may choose to work toward graduate degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, or veterinary science.

Botany Option - prepares students for careers in field biology, mycology, pathology, and other specialties.

Microbiology Option - offers minors in environmental health, physiology and chemistry. The microbiology program prepares students for careers in food science, industry, medicine and other fields.

Zoology Option - provides studies in morphology, physiology, evolution, diversity, and classification. The zoology program provides strong pre-medical, pre-dental and pre-veterinary preparation as well as numerous laboratory and field-based research opportunities.

Biotechnology Major

Biotechnology students apply their degrees to careers ranging from education and applied research to environmental testing and toxicology.

Environmental Biology Major

Environmental BIology students apply their degrees to career involving the preservation and restoration of our planet's natural systems. This rapidly expanding field embraces technology from a variety of disciplines, and provides a wide variety of career opportunities. The Department has created a web site devoted to Environmental Biology at Cal Poly.

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

The Department offers the Master of Science in Biological Sciences degree. Areas of specialization, course work, and research are determined on an individual basis. Visit the graduate program web site for complete information for applicants.

Research Opportunities
Undergraduate research opportunities are available in conjunction with national programs such as the HHMI (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) Grant, McNair Scholars Program and MBRS/RISE (Minority Biomedical Research Support/Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement), which offers research experience in fields such as cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, nutrition and more. Students are also invited to participate in faculty research projects and are assisted in pursuing internships in industry. The department also offers the opportunity to take classes in the field. Previous classes have taken trips to South and Central America.

Biological Sciences Facilities And Learning Sites

  • Biodiversity Collections – Specimen collections are used for teaching and research. They include more than 2,400 amphibian and reptiles; more than 200 birds, a 10,000-plus specimen insect collection; as well as diverse collections of lichens, fishes, fungi, mammals, and vascular plants.
  • Biological Sciences Microscopy Facility – The facility includes a digital imaging center, a fluorescence microscopy lab, an ultramicrotomy room, a transmission electron microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and much more. The facility is supported in part by a recent W.M. Keck Foundation grant.
  • Biometrics Laboratory – Located in Building 3, this teaching lab of networked computers is used to introduce students to the statistical analysis of research data. Inquiries should be directed to David Moriarty.
  • Molecular Biology Core Facility – The Molecular Biology Core Facility serves professors and research students in cellular, molecular and developmental biology and microbiology. The facility houses shared state-of-the-art equipment, including a cell sorter, gel imager, gene expression imager, capillary electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography, fluorescence microscopes, ultracentrifuges, and incorporates a separate room for tissue culture.
  • Voorhis Ecological Reserve – Containing numerous varieties of coastal sage scrub and oak woodland plants and animals, the reserve is located in the northwest part of campus. Several amphibian species, numerous reptiles, dozens of mammals, about 100 birds species and nearly 200 kinds of plants live in the reserve.
  • BioTrek – A recent addition to Cal Poly Pomona, BioTrek offers an up-close educational experience for students and the public through its three Rain Bird Learning Centers. A two-story greenhouse is home to a tropical rainforest. An outdoor ethnobotany garden shows what the campus would have looked like when the Tongva were the main inhabitants. An aquatic biology center shows watery environments from mangroves to kelp forests. BioTrek's web site, www.csupomona.edu/biotrek, is sponsored in perpetuity by a gift from the Ernest Prete Jr. Foundation.
  • Unique Facilities – The department's membership in two consortia provide unique opportunities for students: