Caltech Undergraduate Degrees: A Comprehensive Guide to Options

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a prestigious research university, offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs focused on science and engineering. With a low student-faculty ratio and a strong emphasis on research, Caltech provides an environment where students can thrive and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries. This article outlines potential majors (referred to as "options" at Caltech) available to undergraduate students, drawing upon the unique aspects of each program and the overall academic environment at Caltech.

Caltech: An Overview

Founded in 1891, Caltech has evolved into a leading institution for scientific research and technological innovation. The university manages significant research grants and boasts a high number of Nobel laureates affiliated with the institution. Caltech's commitment to research is evident in its numerous research centers and institutes, which foster collaboration and innovation across disciplines. The university is organized into six academic divisions: Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Geological and Planetary Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. This structure encourages interdisciplinary studies and allows students to explore various fields.

The Core Curriculum: A Foundation for Excellence

Every first-year student at Caltech takes the same classes during their first two terms, and they won't even declare their major until the end of their first year. The core curriculum emphasizes learning across disciplines. A physics student will take biology classes, and a biology student will take a class in econ, poli sci, or literature. The core curriculum is the bedrock that lies beneath all of your upper-level courses. All of the incredibly challenging STEM work in core opens the door to everything that follows.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Caltech offers undergraduates 26 majors (called “options”) and 17 minors across the six academic divisions. Nine out of ten Caltech students conduct research while here, regardless of their major. You may work at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or participate in an exchange program in China or Iceland.

There are four principal avenues for undergraduate research: the senior thesis, the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program, research courses for academic credit, and research for pay under a faculty member’s grant or contract.

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Senior Thesis

The senior thesis involves original research under the mentorship of a faculty member, an effort that develops research, writing, and presentation skills that together provide an excellent preparation for future graduate studies and/or professional life.

SURF program

The SURF program provides continuing undergraduate students the opportunity to work on an individual research project in a tutorial relationship with a mentor, usually a member of the Caltech/JPL research community, but occasionally a faculty member at another college or university. The work is carried out during a 10-week period in the summer, after which SURF students submit a written report describing the project, methods, and results of their work.

Research Courses

Most options offer undergraduate research courses in order to encourage research participation during the academic year; students should consult listings and descriptions of opportunities.

Research for Pay

In some circumstances, faculty will hire students to conduct research. Students should discuss this option with a prospective mentor.

Popular Undergraduate Majors at Caltech

The student-faculty ratio at California Institute of Technology is 3:1, and the school has 70.6% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at California Institute of Technology include: Computer Science; Mechanical Engineering; Physics, General; Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Computational Mathematics; Mathematics, General; and Chemistry, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98%.

Caltech offers interdisciplinary programs in applied physics, biochemistry, bioengineering, computation and neural systems, control and dynamical systems, environmental science and engineering, geobiology and astrobiology, geochemistry, and planetary astronomy.

Applied Physics

The applied physics major is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on applying the theoretical concepts of pure physics to develop new technologies. Currently, you can choose to specialize in topics such as Photonics, holographic data processing and storage, hydrophysics, and optical approaches to quantum computation (among others)! Your typical course schedule will include classes such as “Waves, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics” and”Laboratory in Applied Physics”.

Astrophysics

The objective of the astrophysics course is to understand the physical processes that govern the universe and use the methodology of physics to gather and interpret data on the same. This course is unique as it emphasizes the skill-set required to have a successful research career, and all students are encouraged to take multiple research projects. Within the course, you can expect to take courses in subjects such as physics, mathematics and practical and computational astrophysics laboratory exercises. You can also tailor your elective courses based on your plans in mathematical methods, computational methods, engineering or planetary science! Note. If you’re interested in astronomy, you should also look at the courses in astrophysics as these 2 terms are used interchangeably!

Applied and Computational Mathematics

If you are interested in the application side of mathematics, this degree might be a solid option! The program aims to give you a strong foundation in computational and applied mathematics, which can be applied in areas such as fluid mechanics, materials science, mathematical biology, image processing and more! Similar to the Astrophysics course, this course provides training that is essential for careers in applied mathematics in academia, national laboratories or any other field in the industry! Your course material will include mathematical fundamentals such as linear algebra, probability, mathematical methods and numerical analysis, programming fundamentals, and elective courses that will give you an application area. These elective courses include learning & vision, graphics, robotics & engineering, environmental science, business & finance, or mechanics!

Bioengineering

In the bioengineering program, you will focus on applying engineering principles to understand biological design, and you will attempt to engineer new biological systems and functions. Your coursework includes physical cell biology, systems biology, biomolecular engineering, biodevice design and synthetic biology. Some interesting courses that you can take are “Mechanics and Signal Transduction in Morpho-genesis” or “Dynamics and Control of Chemical Systems''. An interesting part of this major is that the Donna and Benjamin M.Rosen Bioengineering Center offers research support through a variety of programs and funding opportunities across all disciplines!

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Computational and Neural Systems

If you are looking for an interdisciplinary degree that covers topics in math, physics, biology and computer science, you might want to consider choosing CNS as your major. The objective of this course is to prepare students for career paths that involve computational applications in biological systems, e.g. artificial intelligence and computer vision! Your coursework will include courses such as “Data Analysis in Biological Sciences”, “Neural Computation” and “Waves, Statistical Mechanics”!

Computer Science

The Computer Science major at Caltech focuses on creating a strong foundation in mathematical and algorithmic foundations of computing, and introducing research in the many subfields of Computer Science. Your elective coursework is based on the “track” you choose to specialize in. The different areas available include Physical Implementation of Computations, Robust Modeling of Physical Systems, Systematic Design, Theory, Networks & Distributed Systems, Machine Learning, and Interdisciplinary Research.

Electrical Engineering

The electrical engineering option at Caltech focuses on preparing students for careers in rapidly advancing tech areas related to telecommunications, solid-state, robotics, information, and computer and electrical systems. In your first year, you would typically take the introductory seminar EE 2 as your elective, and from your sophomore year, you can choose courses such as “Deterministic analysis of systems' ' or “Mathematics of electrical engineering' '! As you will have to do a project for this major, you can also opt for classes such as “Experimental Projects in Electronic Circuits''.

Environmental Science and Engineering

The Environmental Science and Engineering major has 2 tracks that you can opt for - environmental physics and environmental chemistry. While the courses have separate course requirements and emphases, you will be sharing the same core course training in mathematics and physics. Typical courses in this major include “Waves, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Physics” or “Earth’s Biogeochemical Cycles” which are mandatory as all ESE majors must take courses in both atmospheric and oceanic physics, and marine and terrestrial biogeochemistry!

Information and Data Sciences

The information and data science course draws upon traditional topics within computer science, applied mathematics and electrical engineering and combines it with contemporary topics in machine learning, network science and distributed systems! This course focuses on the foundations of information and data science, especially its roots in probability, statistics, linear algebra and signal processing. Typical courses include “Numerical Algorithms and their Implementation” or “Research in Control and Dynamical Systems''.

Geological and Planetary Sciences

This interdisciplinary degree integrates the study of geography and planetary studies within mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. You will further your research into this subject with a specialization track which could include geology, geobiology, geochemistry, geophysics or planetary science. Your courses can span between covering earthquakes and its prediction through a first year seminar, to marine geochemistry or challenges and opportunities in quantitative ecology for geochemistry and geobiology majors respectively. An added bonus of this degree is the fieldwork to improve your understanding of geological phenomena. Your field trips can either be in closer locations such as the Death Valley of the San Gabriel Mountains, or locations further away such as Hawaii or even Asia!

Campus Life and Resources

Caltech's primary campus is located in Pasadena, California. First-year students are required to live on campus, and a significant percentage of undergraduates remain in on-campus housing throughout their studies.

Library Resources

The Caltech Library advances the Institute’s mission to expand human knowledge by catalyzing information discovery and sharing. The Library maintains extensive research collections, a variety of study spaces, state-of-the-art knowledge-management platforms, and a user-focused program of instruction and outreach. The Sherman Fairchild Library (SFL) is the main library on campus. SFL is usually open 7 days a week late into the evening and offers a range of collaborative and private study spaces including five bookable group study rooms. All textbooks assigned for courses are available for short-term use through the Library’s Course Reserves service. The Library’s interlibrary loan service, DocuServe, is located on the first floor of SFL. Users can obtain books and articles not owned by Caltech Library at no charge. Most articles are fulfilled within 24 hours, and books are typically delivered within one week. SFL is complemented by three branch libraries: Dabney (Humanities and Social Sciences), Cahill (Astrophysics), and North Mudd (Geology and Planetary Sciences). Caltech Hall also houses additional collections, along with two specialized Library locations: the 9th floor, and the TechHub. The 9th floor classroom area is a flexible collaboration and study space with large displays. Room 907 is a bookable meeting or teaching space, and the north side of Caltech Hall provides ample study carrels and collaboration spaces. On the first floor, the TechHub provides 3D printing, large-format printing and scanning services, and loans of laptops and other electronics. The Caltech Archives and Special Collections facilitates understanding of Caltech’s role in the history of science and technology, and of the research and lives of its faculty, staff, and students. The Archives collects, organizes, preserves, exhibits, and makes available for research the papers and other materials that document this history, both tangible and virtual.

Hixon Writing Center

The Hixon Writing Center (HWC) promotes excellence in writing and communication. The HWC operates on the premise that writing is a mode of discovery and learning as well as a tool for communication, and thus strong writing skills are fundamental to inquiry, learning, and success across disciplines. The HWC works actively with Caltech students, faculty, and the Caltech community. The HWC offers students the opportunity to meet one-to-one with professional and peer tutors to discuss works-in-progress. These sessions help students accomplish short-term goals while they also promote the acquisition of skills that are valuable for long-term success. HWC staff members are available to consult with Caltech faculty and TAs about best practices for incorporating, designing, and responding to writing assignments in courses across all disciplines. Finally, the HWC sponsors events and creates resources that address varied aspects of academic writing, with a particular focus on academic STEM writing.

Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO)

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO) supports Caltech’s multifaceted educational efforts, including the design and instruction of undergraduate and graduate courses and curricula, formal and informal student learning, and educational outreach partnerships with K-12 teachers and students. The CTLO is committed to advancing evidence-based, inclusive practices through our programs and services, and to fostering innovation based on this foundation. CTLO focuses on: Instructor Support, Student Learning, and Educational Outreach.

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