Options of Study
Techers declare an academic major (called an “option” at Caltech) at the end of their freshman year. Listed below are the options you can choose from. (Specialized concentrations within each option are in italics.) For details on the requirements for each option, see the Caltech Catalog.
Biology
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Chemical EngineeringEngineering & Applied Science(*Chemical Engineering majors select one of four tracks: biomolecular, environmental, process systems, or materials.)Chemistry
Biochemistry
Chemical Physics
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Applied and Computational Mathematics
Applied Physics
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Communications and Signal ProcessingEngineering & Applied Science
Control
Electronic Circuits
Microwave and Radio Engineering
Optoelectronics
Solid-State Electronics
Computation and Neural Systems Environmental Science
Materials Science
Structural Mechanics
Mechanical Engineering
Geological & Planetary Sciences
Geobiology
Geochemistry
Geology
Geophysics
Planetary Science
Business Economics &
Management
Economics
English
History
History and Philosophy of Science
Philosophy
Political Science
Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy
Astrophysics
Mathematics
Physics
Minors
Aerospace
English
History
History of Philosophy and Science
Philosophy
Structural Mechanics
Independent Studies Program
The independent studies program allows students to design, with faculty advice, a customized course of study to investigate topics not covered by any of the traditional options.