What kind of academics and research can you expect at Caltech?
Posted on Feb 03, 2026 / Travel
At Caltech, academics are rigorous but also deeply engaging, with a strong focus on the basic sciences and engineering. First-year students typically take a core curriculum that includes math, physics, chemistry, biology, and even writing and humanities courses. Small class sizes mean you often get to know your professors well and can ask questions easily during lectures or labs. Research isn’t just something you do at the end of your degree — many students start working in labs early, often collaborating with faculty on real projects. Programs like the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) let you design and carry out your own research. This hands-on approach makes learning practical and exciting, and it sets Caltech apart from many other universities. The focus is on really understanding how things work and using that knowledge to make new discoveries.
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