Cal Poly Humboldt is an incredible place to study biology. Our faculty are dedicated to teaching excellence and hands-on learning, instructing courses that utilize specialized equipment, impressive natural collections, laboratory facilities, and the ecologically diverse field sites of our region. Extensive opportunities for research prepare our students for a wide range of careers in biology. Come be inspired!
Choose from Four Majors
In the Biological Sciences Department, you can choose to major in Biology, Botany, Marine Biology, or Zoology.
Biology
Biology majors study organisms and how they function in the natural world. You can be a general biology major or focus your studies by choosing a concentration in one of five specialty areas: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Marine Biology, Microbiology, or Science Education.
Botany
You will learn and appreciate the biological processes unique to plant life with a dedicated learning community and the best botanical collections in the CSU system.
Zoology
You will take courses in physiology, ecology, anatomy, and classification of animal groups, with many opportunities for field research in our diverse local habitats, as well as laboratory study.
Marine Biology
Using the nearby Pacific Ocean and North Coast as a living lab, students gain real-world experience on and in the ocean, beaches, and other marine habitats to study marine organisms and ecosystems. Students take advantage of excellent facilities, such as Cal Poly Humboldt’s own marine lab and ocean-going research vessel to conduct research directly with faculty.
Graduate Program
Graduate students in the Master of Science program in the Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt can choose to pursue investigations with an emphasis in the laboratory, forests, marine habitats, or a variety of other settings.
Pre-Professional Health Programs
If you choose one of our pre-professional health programs, in either pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary, you will receive a core education based in biology, chemistry, physics, zoology, and mathematics.
Featured Alumni Profile
Samantha Shelton, 2014
Scientist, Virology, PureTech Health
My Ph.D. research focused on brain development, transcriptional differences between cells, and how Zika virus is able to infect certain cell types based on gene expression to cause microcephaly. I hope to use these skill sets in my new position as a scientist in the industry.
Career Options
Biological scientists are in high demand. Our graduates have gone onto careers in private and public sectors, and tribal and nonprofit conservation agencies. They have earned doctorate degrees, hold leadership positions at laboratories and institutes, have conducted research worldwide, and teach at major universities.
Here are a few possible career options:
Biology Careers
- Anatomist
- Physiologist
- Taxonomist
- Systematist
- Herpetologist
- Entomologist
- Mammalogist
- Developmental Biologist
- Museum Curator or Manager
- Naturalist
- Science Educator
- Veterinarian
- Veterinary Assistant
- Professor
- Scientific Writing
- Scientific Outreach
- Scientific Illustration
- Consulting
Botany Careers
- Herbarium Curator
- Naturalist
- Plant Physiologist
- Technical Writer
- Plant Ecologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Botanist
- Horticulturist
- Science Librarian
- Plant Pathologist
Zoology Careers
- Zoologist
- Technical Writer
- Laboratory Technician
- Museum Curator
- Entomologist
- Health Technician
- Ornithologist
- Animal Nutritionist
- Ichthyologist
- Anatomist
- Embryologist
- Pathology Technician
- Science Librarian
Achievements
Find out what our students, faculty, and staff are being recognized for.