Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Cal Poly's Biological Sciences program is strongly built around Learn by Doing, with more than three-fourths of biological sciences courses including a laboratory component. Students collect and analyze data, conduct experiments using modern equipment, participate in faculty-directed research and undertake fieldwork across the diverse ecosystems of California's Central Coast. Students preparing for healthcare careers can also gain specialized experience through human anatomy and cadaver-based laboratory work.

Students also have opportunities to work on real research projects funded by organizations including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, while the required senior project gives them experience taking a research question through to a completed scientific project.

Specific opportunities include:

• Human Anatomy Laboratory (HAL): Provides access to human cadaver specimens for teaching and research, including opportunities connected with Advanced Human Gross Anatomy and senior research.

• Environmental Proteomics Laboratory: Students can encounter research using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to investigate protein expression and environmental stress.

• Physiological Ecology of Reptiles Lab (PERL): Provides opportunities to investigate reptile ecology, physiology, behavior, immune function and parasites through laboratory and field settings.

• Biological Sciences Computer Lab: Provides a dedicated computing and study space for Biological Sciences students.

• Center for Applications in Biotechnology (CAB): Supports applied biotechnology research at the intersection of biology, medicine, science and engineering, with research involving areas such as bioremediation, functional genomics, microbial diversity and other biological applications.

• Bioinformatics and Applied Data Science Core: Provides a cloud-based computational research laboratory with pipelines supporting genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics.

• Center for Coastal Marine Sciences and Cal Poly Pier: Students can participate in marine research at the Avila Beach pier, where research covers fisheries, ocean currents, marine organisms, ecosystems and invasive species. Around 1,500 students use the pier each year through classes or research activities.

• Field research sites: Students have access to Central Coast ecosystems and sites such as the Ragged Point property for field botany and plant ecology, as well as the Hi Mountain Condor Lookout for conservation and field ecology research.

• Synthetic-cell research: A 2026 Cal Poly course in Engineering Synthetic Cells has students working with cell-free protein-expression systems and using Napari software in research involving green fluorescent protein.

• Faculty-directed research and senior project: Biological Sciences undergraduates are required to participate in research and complete a senior project, with opportunities spanning field ecology, natural-resource management, molecular biology and biotechnology.

The Biological Sciences B.S. gives graduates several directions after graduation, from laboratory and biotechnology work to public health, environmental consulting, wildlife management and teaching. It also provides a strong foundation for students who want to continue into M.D., Ph.D., master's or other professional programs in health and life sciences.

Typical career directions: Laboratory Technician, Biotechnology Researcher, Public Health Specialist, Wildlife Biologist

Key opportunities and graduate advantages include:

• Career Services: Cal Poly Career Services provides career counseling, career exploration, resume and cover-letter support, interview preparation, employer networking, career fairs and access to internships, co-ops, fellowships and jobs through MustangJOBS.

• Employment and graduate-school outcomes: Cal Poly's Graduate Status Report tracks employment, graduate-school admission, job titles, employers and starting salaries. The university's published College of Science and Mathematics 2020–21 report recorded 93% positively engaged, including 58% working full time, 4% working part time and 29% attending graduate school, with a 98% major-related-job rate and a $58,200 starting median salary for the college. This is college-level rather than Biological Sciences-specific data, so it should not be treated as the program's individual salary figure.

• Industry and research partnerships: The Center for Applications in Biotechnology has worked with organizations including Chevron, Xoma, Danisco and MoBio, while its research and training activities connect biology with biotechnology, medicine, science and engineering.

• Industry-supported projects: Cal Poly's Industry Supported Student Projects connect student teams with external sponsors. The university reports more than $2.3 million in ISSP funding since 2011 and more than 1,500 students participating, with some projects resulting in job offers.

• Long-term professional preparation: The degree can support progression toward medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and other health professions, as well as advanced study in fields such as ecology, evolution, conservation, genetics, genomics, marine sciences, microbiology, molecular biology and physiology.

• Graduate outcomes: Cal Poly Biological Sciences graduates have progressed to M.D. and Ph.D. programs and careers in teaching, laboratory technology, public health, biotechnology research and manufacturing, wildlife management, consulting, agriculture, and park and forest services.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue Cal Poly's M.S. in Biological Sciences, which offers advanced preparation for industry, civil service, teaching, environmental consulting, laboratory research and biotechnology. Students can also progress to doctoral and professional programs in areas such as biology, medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, microbiology, conservation, ecology, genetics, genomics and other health and life sciences.