Skip to Main Content
California State University, Chico
College of Natural Sciences

Biological Sciences BA

${image.alt}
  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

Request Information About This Program

Whether you want to treat disease, work in pharmacology, or be an environmental scientist, it all starts with a foundation in biological sciences. With a BA in this field, you’ll understand biology from the smallest cells to the biggest ecosystems and expand from there—exploring the ways those organisms interact with the world and the world with them.

With emphasis on real-world research and access to cutting-edge technology, you’ll reward your curiosity with a deep exploration of the topics that fascinate you most. There’s perhaps no better place to explore the natural world than the diverse habitats of Northern California. Whether bloodborne diseases in our on-campus labs or conducting wastewater surveys to test for viruses affecting our community, your academic experience will be enriched with an experience unlike any other and prepare you for the career of your dreams.

Faculty and student in a lab smiling and looking at a sample in front of a microscope.

Intensive Science Curriculum

Your classes will include a thorough introduction to the physical sciences, anatomy, and molecular biology through a lens of critical thinking and hands-on research. In addition to an overview of basic biological principles, you’ll have the opportunity to study topics ranging from genetics and disease to hematology and ethics.

From Classroom to Career

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department (CHEM) student works on bioluminescence

A BA in Biological Sciences expertly prepares students who plan to use biology as a foundation for healthcare careers, such as pre-physician’s assistant, pre-nursing, or pre-occupational therapist. Many of our graduates also go on to the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical product management, and health regulatory positions

Some of our top recruiters:

  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • North State hospitals and dental practices
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Proving It in the Field

Science isn’t a spectator sport. The best learning happens by doing, and at Chico State, you’ll study alongside faculty who have as much expertise outside the classroom as inside. By the time you graduate, you’ll have built the skills and confidence that only comes with experience.

  • Biology Student Research Symposium

    Every spring, students gather to present their independent research in a poster tournament. Tackling topics from scoliosis to invasive insects and COVID-19 in wastewater, the best presentations are brought forward to compete at the University and possibly CSU level.

  • CSC2 Natural Sciences

    Work alongside supportive faculty while taking your first steps in the lab in our CSC2 Natural Sciences program. Since 2016, this program has helped historically underserved students gain access to opportunities and support as they become adept at research. 

  • Searching for a Cure

    Our faculty extend their expertise far beyond the classroom. With professors like Kristen Gorman, students are using Medaka fish to unravel the mysteries of idiopathic scoliosis (IS), a common abnormal spinal curvature condition in humans.

Two students study the land.

Get Involved

The best way to make friends and jumpstart your career? Join a student group. Get started by choosing from organizations like the Pre-Med Association, Pre-Dental Society, Microbiology Club, the Biology Honors Society, or the American Society for Microbiology. Then, join in the College of Natural Sciences Softball Tournament to build camaraderie!

Hands-On Happens Here

What you learn in the classroom is just part of the story. Whether you’re working in labs stocked with $1 million in industry-standard equipment like scanning electron, confocal, and fluorescence microscopes, or exploring collections of insects and animal specimens assembled over decades, you’ll put what you learn into practice every day.

  • A staff doing tree work at the ecological reserve

    Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

    See conservation in action at this 7,835-acre reserve, which includes 4.5 miles of Big Chico Creek and a hundreds of animal and plant species. Research opportunities are as vast as your imagination.

  • A set of 6 photo frames containing plants and flowers.

    Chico State Herbarium

    The diversity of northeastern California’s plant life is here to explore at the herbarium, which contains more than 107,000 specimens—many of which are rare, threatened, or endangered.

  • A staff member is looking through the plants at the greenhouse.

    Greenhouses

    Explore the world of botany without leaving our greenhouses. The 6,000-square-foot research space contains over 1,500 plant species. Some are native to Chico, while others come from tropical or desert ecosystems across the globe.

  • A student leans over the side of a boat to perform water experiment.

    Aquatic Bioassessment Lab

    This lab monitors aquatic health by keeping tabs on the populations of water-based invertebrates in several areas around the state. Ongoing work includes data collection, research, and taxonomy. Bonus: Big Chico Creek is just 100 yards from your classroom!

Discover Stories and More

Chico State Today
/

Related Programs

Biological Sciences Department

Wondering whether a BA in Biological Sciences might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or even set up a conversation with one of our faculty members.

Phone: 530-898-5356