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California State University, Chico
College of Natural Sciences

Biological Sciences BS

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Biological sciences is a topic as big as life itself—and opens as many doors to your future. By first understanding the cellular mechanisms behind plant and animal life, and then the ways those organisms interact with each other, you’ll build a platform from which you can explore your world.

You can choose to look deep inside the cell, studying microscopic structures or preparing for graduate work in medicine and healthcare. Or you can take a bigger-picture view, choosing to focus on entire ecosystems or evolutionary biology. At Chico State, you’ll have the opportunity to find the path that’s right for you.

A smiling student works in a science classroom.

Intensive Science Curriculum

Your classes will include a thorough introduction to the physical sciences through a lens of critical thinking and hands-on research with local flora and fauna. In addition to an overview of basic biological principles, you’ll complete coursework in chemistry, physics, and math.

Focus on Your Passion

Driven by your goals and personal interests, you’ll choose one of three options that will prepare you for a career or graduate school.

  • A student wearing gloves works in a lab.

    Cellular and Molecular Biology

    Study disease, pursue an advanced degree in medicine, or leverage the power of biotechnology to develop new treatments.

  • Purple and yellow wildflowers sit in the foreground on a hillside with a green landscape in the background.

    Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology

    In a world bracing for environmental change, you’ll be prepared to do what’s necessary to manage and preserve our resources.

  • A student works in the soil in the University Farm in a crop row.

    Plant Biology

    Learn to feed a growing planet, restore damaged habitats, sustainably manage our forests, or pursue graduate studies in plant biology.

From Classroom to Career

A biological sciences degree can lead to careers as wide-ranging as the subject itself. Our graduates go on to jobs as wildlife officers, physicians, teachers, and researchers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage in biology-oriented fields is $70,000.

Some of our top recruiters:

  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • North State hospitals and dental practices
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Horseshoe Lake at sunset shows off smooth reflections.
“
The reason I’ve stayed in this job is my love for our natural resources and my desire to effect change.
Jennifer Ikemoto (Biological Sciences, ’96)
Read More About Jennifer's Path

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.

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

    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.

  • Master's student retrieves predation event recorders (PERs) in the Sacramento River

    Saving the Salmon

    Over the past 40 years, winter-run salmon numbers have plummeted 93 percent along the Sacramento River. With numerous projects and studies in the river and on-campus labs, our students are working alongside aquatic ecology faculty to understand and reverse the trend.

  • Two students examine a poster while one points out a specific detail on the poster.

    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.

A group of student lounges on the grass in front of Kendall Hall.

Get Involved

The best way to explore your new field? Jump in. Join a student group, build your network, or dive into research. Get started by choosing from organizations like the Microbiology Club, the Biology Honors Society, the Pre-Med Association, Pre-Dental Society, or the American Society for Microbiology.

Hands-On Happens Here

What you learn in the classroom is just part of the story. At Chico State, you’ll find a wealth of additional resources and facilities.

  • Wildflowers sit on a hillside while the sun shines through a tree canopy.

    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 staff member works on pressed plant specimens inside the Herbarium on campus.

    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.

  • Two students work to water green plants inside a 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 holds a tray of biological material and examines it by the creek.

    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!

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