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California State University, Chico
College of Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences BS

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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At Chico State, you are surrounded by living laboratory of wonders, from the rich soil underfoot to our babbling creek, and our beautify treetop canopy. Our natural sciences program allows you to explore the forces of nature and use scientific solutions to understand them and our surrounding ecosystems. 

Designed to inspire curiosity, our program equips you to work in museums, nature centers, state parks, and national forests, and is also ideal for future middle school or introductory high school science teachers who want to help shape the next generation of learners and make a positive impact.

A faculty member presenting in the middle of their group of students.

Think Critically and Learn Actively

Your classes are designed specifically for future educators by faculty with expertise in both a specific science discipline and science education. Your coursework includes an introduction to the physical and life sciences, cellular and molecular biology, and chemistry through a lens of critical thinking and hands-on research.

Specializations and Options

  • Math and science demonstration to grade school students.

    Science Education

    Our option in science education prepares you to become part of the next generation of science teachers and educators to advance excellence and equity in STEM education.

  • A group of students walking with their binoculars

    A High-Reward, In-Demand Career

    There’s a nationwide shortage of science teachers. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, middle school teaching employment is projected to grow eight percent from 2016 to 2026.

Active Learning in Science

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 the skills and confidence that only comes with experience.

  • Student conducting an experiment.

    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.

  • Two students on a speed boat during a research outing.

    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 conducting experiments in the science lab

    Summer Research Institute

    The College of Natural Sciences’ Summer Research Institutes provide students with hands-on experience with a research topic in their field of study.

Natural Science on Display

  • Outside signage for the Science Building

    Science Building

    Science is woven into our building’s design. Opened in 2021, our state-of-the-art facility puts science on display. It features collaborative spaces, research opportunities inside and outside, and interdisciplinary labs.

    Tour our space
  • Student looking through a microscope.

    NMR Room and Instrument Room

    Our two instrument rooms are equipped with over $1 million worth of modern analytical equipment, so you can get direct experience using industry-standard technology in your labs and research projects.

  • Three students preparing to conduct salmon count research on a body of water.

    Shared Research Lab Space

    We have three fully stocked research labs. Nearly all seniors do independent research projects with one or more faculty in organic chemistry, physical sciences, materials chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and biochemistry.

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