Degree programs within the fields of science and technology encompass diverse academic approaches and student profiles, which may significantly influence academic performance, particularly in disciplines such as Biology. Students entering university programs such as Food Science and Technology (CYTA), Health Engineering (GIS), and Agri-Food and Rural Environment Engineering (GIAMIR) typically come from two main academic backgrounds: Technological or Health Sciences. Moreover, the structure of the High School program, combined with pedagogical methodologies primarily focused on preparing students for the University entrance exam (PAU), tends to promote rote learning and superficial understanding, often at the expense of deep conceptual learning and applied reasoning. Within this context, it becomes essential to assess the extent to which students’ prior academic preparation influences their university performance, particularly in content-heavy courses, and whether such disparities should be addressed through curriculum design and targeted support strategies during the first year of higher education. This study aims to evaluate the impact of students’ academic profile on their performance in first-year university courses of CYTA, GIS and GIAMIR. To achieve this, a diagnostic assessment of students’ initial knowledge was conducted through surveys at the beginning of the course and compared with their academic outcomes upon course completion. Results showed that students with a technological profile demonstrated lower basic knowledge in Biology compared to those from a health sciences profile (mean scores of 4.3 vs 5.9, respectively). However, performance outcomes in the Biology course did not appear to be strongly influenced by academic profile in programs such as CYTA and GIS.These findings suggest that while a solid foundation in Biology may be associated with better academic results, other factors—such as adaptation to the university environment, individual student profiles, and personal motivation—also play a critical role. Regarding degree choice, students from a Technological background may exhibit a more adaptable academic profile, as their performance appears less dependent on prior content knowledge compared to their counterparts from Health Sciences.

Keywords: Student profile, Technological background, Health sciences, Higher education.