Change/Declare Major or Minor FAQs

To switch to any major within the Biological Sciences Department students must fully meet all of the conditions below before applying for the change of major. 

1. Student must have successfully completed 2 full semesters at Cal Poly Pomona. The student can apply to declare or change their major after grades are posted for their second semester.
2. Student must complete BIO 1210/L and BIO 1220/L (or BIO 121/L, BIO 122/L and BIO 123/L), with a grade of C or higher in every component.
3. Student must have a 3.25 minimum CPP GPA.
4. Student must have a 3.25 minimum overall GPA.
5. Student must be in Good Standing with the University.

Step One: Complete a Department Advising Worksheet: MSWord format; pdf format

Step Two: Email evidence that you have met the conditions to declare/ change your major (e.g. copy of unofficial transcript) and the completed Department Advising Worksheet to Dr. Jellyman for approval and signature.

Step Three: Dr. Jellyman will review your documents and provide next steps by email.

• Double majors are not allowed within Biological Sciences majors
• A student may have one of the majors in Biological Sciences and another major outside of Biological Sciences
• Please read the University Double Majors Policy. Basically, you are allowed to request a second major if you could complete both majors within 48 units above the units required for your primary major.

• Please read the University Double Majors or Minors Policy. Basically, you are allowed to request up to two minors if you could complete all within 36 units above the units required for your major.

• Students in the Biological Sciences Department cannot take minors offered by the same department.  Students can only declare minors offered by the other departments or the University.  You can find the minor programs by searching the University Catalog. Here is a list of some popular minor programs for the students in Biological Sciences Department. Please consult the faculty in charge of the minor program for questions and the procedure to add the minor.
  • Physiology Minor
  • Environmental Specialist Minor
  • Chemistry Minor
  • Biophysics Minor
  • Food Safety Minor, Food and Nutrition Minor, Food Science Technology Minor
  • Material Engineering Minor

• A list of minors offered by the Biological Sciences Department. To declare a minor, make an appointment with the designated faculty advisor for the minor program to discuss your plan and how you could complete the requirements without delaying graduation.  After approval, the advisor will send a request through BroncoDirect.  The minor should show up in your BroncoDirect within a week as a “plan” under your major

• To delete a minor, you will also need to schedule an appointment with the faculty advisor designated for the minor program and request a deletion through BroncoDirect Advisor Request.

• Minor Program Course Approval Form is used ONLY when there is a deviation from the course requirement after you’ve declared a minor. Please make an appointment with the minor faculty advisor to obtain approval using the Biology Advising Form (MS Word). Once approved by the faculty advisor, the Department Chair will be able to sign your Course Approval Form.