Direct Paths to Science
Build the analytical skills and curiosity to turn scientific reasoning into real-world impact in research, healthcare, or technology. Explore Direct Paths below, search Indirect Paths, or view the full Career Paths directory.
Key
M = Minor available, which is an optional specialization alongside your major
✦ = Accelerated program available
* = A career path that often requires extra schooling or certification beyond a Bachelor's degree (e.g., law, medicine, education)
Biochemistry
Biochemistry builds skills to drive innovation in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.
Career Paths: Biotech industry specialist, biomedical researcher*, clinical laboratory scientist, dentist*, forensic scientist, geneticist*, healthcare consultant*, medical science liaison*, pharmaceutical scientist*, physician*, quality control analyst, toxicologist*, veterinarian*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Biology
Biology is a foundation for careers in health, environment, and research.
Career Paths: Biomedical engineer*, dental professional*, environmental consultant, epidemiologist*, genetic counselor*, marine biologist*, microbiologist*, pharmaceutical sales representative, physician*, public health analyst*, veterinarian*, wildlife biologist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology
Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology advances genetics, disease, and developmental knowledge.
Career Paths: Bioinformatics specialist*, biomedical researcher*, biotech scientist*, cell biologist*, developmental biologist*, dentist*, laboratory technician, medical laboratory scientist*, molecular biologist*, physician*, research scientist*, veterinarian*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Chemistry (M)
Chemistry helps to solve problems in health, industry, energy, and the environment.
Career Paths: Analytical chemist, chemical engineer*, chemical technician, dentist*, forensic scientist, formulation chemist, inorganic chemist*, materials scientist*, organic chemist*, patent examiner, pharmaceutical chemist, pharmacist*, physical chemist*, physician*, toxicologist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Data Science (Science Track)
Data Science (Science Track) is relevant to careers in biotech, healthcare, environment, and technology.
Option: UCR also offers Data Science (Engineering Track).
Career Paths: AI researcher*, bioinformatics analyst, computational biologist*, data engineer, data scientist, environmental data analyst, epidemiologist*, health data analyst, machine learning engineer, quantitative researcher, research scientist*, science communicator, statistician
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Earth and Planetary Sciences (M)
Earth and Planetary Sciences opens doors in government like NASA and the United States Geological Survey, as well as careers in energy, environmental science, and consulting.
Career Paths: Climate scientist*, energy industry analyst*, environmental consultant, geophysicist*, hydrologist*, natural resource manager, petroleum geologist, planetary scientist*, remote sensing specialist*, research scientist*, seismologist*, space mission analyst*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Environmental Sciences (M)
Environmental Sciences can lead to public sector, nonprofit, or private industry careers.
Career Paths: Climate change analyst*, conservation scientist, ecologist, environmental consultant, environmental policy analyst*, environmental scientist, GIS analyst, hydrologist*, natural resource manager, research scientist*, soil conservationist, sustainability specialist, wildlife biologist
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Entomology (M ✦)
Entomology prepares for careers in agriculture, public health, conservation, and biodiversity.
Option: Choose a 4-year Bachelor's degree or get your Bachelor's and Master's degrees through a 5-year plan of study.
Career Paths: Agricultural entomologist, biological technician, conservation biologist, environmental consultant, forensic entomologist*, insect taxonomist*, museum collections manager*, public health entomologist*, research entomologist*, USDA scientist*, vector control specialist
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology
Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology leads to careers in scientific research, healthcare innovation, and pharmaceutical development.
Career Paths: Biotechnology research and development scientist*, clinical genetics researcher*, genetic counseling specialist*, genetic engineering specialist, genomic data analyst*, molecular diagnostics developer, pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratory analyst, public health genomics researcher*, science policy analyst*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Geology (M)
Geology leads to environmental work, energy or mining, and a range of public sector careers.
Career Paths: Earthquake analyst, engineering geologist, environmental geologist, geological technician, GIS analyst, hazard analyst, hydrogeologist*, mining geologist, natural resource manager, petroleum geologist*, seismologist*, volcanologist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Geophysics
Geophysics is valuable for industries like energy, government, or natural hazards.
Career Paths: Earthquake hazard analyst*, environmental geophysicist, exploration geophysicist, geophysical data analyst, geophysical surveyor, GIS analyst, government scientist*, hydrogeophysicist*, mining geophysicist, petroleum geophysicist*, planetary geophysicist*, remote sensing specialist, research scientist*, seismologist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Mathematics (M)
Mathematics is tailored to business, education, finance, tech, or data-driven careers.
Career Paths: Algorithm engineer, AI researcher*, biostatistician*, cryptographer*, data scientist, economist*, financial analyst, machine learning engineer*, mathematician*, operations research analyst*, quantitative analyst*, research scientist*, risk analyst, software developer, statistician*
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Microbiology
Microbiology can lead to careers in healthcare, research, or biotechnology.
Career Paths: Biotech scientist, clinical laboratory scientist, environmental microbiologist, epidemiologist*, food safety specialist, immunologist*, medical laboratory scientist, pharmaceutical scientist, public health microbiologist*, quality control analyst, research scientist*, virologist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Neuroscience (Science)
Neuroscience (Science) lays a foundation for pre-med, biotechnology, and research careers.
Option: UCR also offers Neuroscience (Social Sciences) (M T).
Career Paths: Biomedical scientist*, biotech research associate, clinical research coordinator, cognitive scientist*, medical communicator, medical scientist*, neuroimaging specialist, neurologist*, neuropsychologist*, neuroscientist*, physician*, psychiatrist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Physics (M)
Physics is well suited for applied physics, engineering, science, and technology careers.
Career Paths: Accelerator operator, aerospace scientist, atmospheric scientist*, climate scientist*, computational physicist*, data scientist, engineer, medical physicist*, nuclear physicist*, optical physicist*, patent examiner, quantitative analyst, research scientist*, scientific consultant, software developer
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Plant Biology (M)
Plant Biology prepares you for careers in agriculture, sustainability, biotechnology, and conservation.
Career Paths: Agricultural scientist, botanist, biotech researcher, conservation scientist, forest ecologist, government scientist*, greenhouse manager, horticulturist, pharmaceutical researcher, plant biologist*, plant breeder*, plant geneticist*, plant pathologist*, research scientist*, USDA scientist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Statistics (M ✦)
Statistics leads to careers in business, healthcare, government, science, and technology.
Option: Choose a 4-year Bachelor's degree or get your Bachelor's and Master's degrees through a 5-year plan of study.
Career Paths: Actuary, biostatistician*, data analyst, data scientist, epidemiologist*, machine learning engineer*, market research analyst, operations research analyst, policy analyst, quantitative analyst*, research scientist*, statistical programmer, statistician*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Indirect Paths to Science
While some of these majors aren’t direct science programs, they could be paired with a double major, minor, or internship to shape your career path. An academic advisor can help you create a plan that aligns with your goals. If you’re looking for something different, visit Career Paths for more possibilities.
Key
M = Minor available, which is an optional specialization alongside your major
✦ = Accelerated program available
* = A career path that often requires extra schooling or certification beyond a Bachelor's degree (e.g., law, medicine, education)
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Anthropology (M)
Anthropology (M)
Anthropology explores human culture, behavior, and biology through research, policy, and applied science.
Career Paths: Archaeologist*, cultural resource manager, forensic anthropologist*, museum curator*, policy analyst, professor*, public health researcher*, research associate, social science researcher*, sociocultural anthropologist*, urban planner*
Discover all majors in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
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Art (Studio)
Art (Studio)
Art (Studio) translates scientific ideas into design, illustration, and data visualization.
Career Paths: 3D modeling specialist, animator, data visualization specialist, educational media developer, medical and scientific illustrator*, museum exhibit designer, research designer, scientific illustrator*, UX/UI designer
Discover all majors in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
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Bioengineering (✦)
Bioengineering (✦)
Bioengineering creates solutions combining biology, engineering, and technology.
Option: Choose a 4-year Bachelor's degree or get your Bachelor's and Master's degrees through a 5-year plan of study.
Career Paths: Biomedical engineer*, clinical engineer, design engineer, medical device developer, patent examiner*, process engineer, product development engineer, quality assurance engineer, regulatory affairs specialist*, research scientist*, tissue engineer
Explore all majors in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.
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Computer Science (M ✦)
Computer Science (M ✦)
Computer Science applies computing technology to solve complex problems in science.
Option: Choose a 4-year Bachelor's degree or get your Bachelor's and Master's degrees through a 5-year plan of study.
Career Paths: AI engineer*, cybersecurity analyst, data scientist*, database administrator, mobile app developer, product manager*, software developer, systems analyst, technical project manager, UX/UI designer, web developer
Explore all majors in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.
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Computer Science with Applications
Computer Science with Applications
Computer Science Applications builds the foundation for science and engineering careers in business, finance, healthcare, and technology industries.
Option: Choose from Business, Health, and Psychology tracks.
Career Paths: Bioinformatics analyst*, biomedical data analyst*, climate data analyst*, computational scientist*, cybersecurity analyst, data engineer, health informatics specialist*, machine learning engineer*, research software engineer, scientific computing engineer*, technical solutions architect*, user experience software developer
Explore all majors in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.
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Education, Society, and Human Development (✦)
Education, Society, and Human Development (✦)
Education, Society, and Human Development is well suited for careers in research, healthcare, and technology-driven fields.
Options: Choose the 4-year Bachelor's degree or the 4-year accelerated program to earn both a Bachelor's degree and a Teaching Credential (the state-issued license required to teach in public schools). Once admitted, customize your major with one of two concentrations:
- Education for Social Justice Concentration
- Learning and Behavioral Studies Concentration
Career Paths: Biotechnology project manager, data scientist*, environmental program manager, health services manager*, life sciences consultant, medical device product manager, pharmaceutical sales manager, research compliance officer, technical product manager, technical sales engineer*
See success resources in the School of Education.
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Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering advances sustainable infrastructure and develops solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
Career Paths: Air quality engineer, environmental consultant, environmental engineer, environmental health and safety specialist, environmental project manager, environmental scientist, hydrologist*, sustainability engineer, waste management engineer, water resources engineer
Explore all majors in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.
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Philosophy (M)
Philosophy (M)
Philosophy is tailored to roles in cognitive science, logic, ethics, and philosophy of science and tech.
Career Paths: Bioethicist*, cognitive science researcher*, data analyst, environmental ethicist*, ethics and compliance officer, law and public policy analyst*, logic and reasoning specialist, philosophy professor*, science writer, scientific ethicist*, UX researcher
Discover all majors in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
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Psychology (M)
Psychology (M)
Psychology is a strong foundation for careers in behavioral science, cognitive research, and brain studies.
Career Paths: Behavioral data analyst, behavioral neuroscientist*, clinical psychologist*, cognitive psychologist*, human factors specialist, mental health research assistant, neuropsychologist*, school psychologist*, social psychologist*, UX researcher
Discover all majors in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
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Public Policy (M ✦)
Public Policy (M ✦)
Public Policy focuses on science policy, regulation, and industry advisory roles.
Option: Choose a 4-year Bachelor's degree or get your Bachelor's and Master's degrees through a 5-year plan of study.
Career Paths: City planner*, government affairs specialist, legislative assistant, manager (nonprofit program, public affairs), policy analyst, policy researcher*, political scientist*, public administrator, think tank researcher*, urban planner*
View success resources in the School of Policy.
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Sociology (M)
Sociology (M)
Sociology applies social science to health, policy, data, and behavior.
Career Paths: Community health worker, data analyst, demographer*, human factors specialist, policy analyst, professor*, public health researcher*, social science researcher*, sociologist*, survey researcher*, urban planner*
Discover all majors in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
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Sustainability Studies
Sustainability Studies
Sustainability Studies uses science and policy to address environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Career Paths: Climate change analyst, environmental consultant, environmental policy analyst, environmental scientist*, natural resource manager, renewable energy specialist, sustainability coordinator, sustainability manager, urban planner*, wildlife biologist*
Check out other majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.