 The university Cal Sci is modeled on the California Institute of  Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, developing characters loosely  based on a Caltech professor and students. Portions of the series  have been filmed on the Caltech campus. Gary Lorden, the chairman of  the math department at Caltech, consults for the show. The pilot  episode was screened at Caltech as well, receiving a standing  ovation at the end.