<p>Caltech consistently ranks #1 in the nation for its bio program, which surprises me almost as I thought the school was really pure hard sciences. I'm debating between Caltech and UChicago right now, two VERY different schools with similar PhD placements (both very high). My question is, how good is Caltech's bio program in genetics?</p>
<p>really good!</p>
<p>Caltech’s Biology program is indeed a ‘hard core pure science’ program, and I don’t understand why you would classify it as otherwise. Our Bio program focuses strongly on molecular biology and genetics, as well as computational neuroscience. For theses bio programs, we are definitely top notch, though we lack much focus on organismal biology, evolution, and ecology.</p>
<p>If biology isn’t a hardcore pure science, what is? In some strange ways, I think physics gets intertwined with mathematics enough that I sometimes see the “science” part becoming shaky.</p>
<p>I didn’t say hard core pure science. lol. I said pure hard science. All I was wondering was whether it involved lots of mathematics. I don’t really know how bio programs work these days; perhaps any study in genetics involve lots of math. I’m just wondering whether I should pursue this degree at Caltech or UChicago (in other words, lots of math=caltech. less so=UChicago).</p>
<p>Pure hard science too…I sort of have the same concern 
– how could it NOT be?</p>
<p>And are you sure UChicago’s has less math? UChicago is a notoriously good math school, so I’m not sure if that would color their teaching style.</p>
<p>David Baltimore, the previous president of Caltech and current professor won a noble prize for his work on genetics</p>
<p>Baltimore, David
Robert Andrews Millikan Professor of Biology, Nobel Laureate</p>
<p>I hope that answers your question</p>
<p>Does anyone know how many bio undergrads are there at Caltech?</p>
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<p>That data can be found [url=<a href=“http://registrar.caltech.edu/Undergraduate%20Option%20Requirements%202009.pdf]here[/url”>http://registrar.caltech.edu/Undergraduate%20Option%20Requirements%202009.pdf]here[/url</a>], on page 7, after the degree requirements.</p>
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<p>Caltech may be the only school with about as many math majors as biology majors (51 and 52, respectively).</p>
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<p>Which ranking(s) are you talking about?</p>