2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
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Dean: Curtis Bennett
Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Evaluation, and Advising: Krzysztof Slowinski
Associate Dean for Research: Barbara Taylor
Director of Development: Maryanne Horton
Administrative Services Manager: Henry Wu
Assistant to the Dean: Lane Olsen-Cooper
College Office: Hall of Science (HSCI), Room 160
Telephone / FAX: (562) 985‑4707 / (562) 985-2315
Website: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Departments
Biological Sciences
Jesse G. Dillon, Chair (562) 985-4806
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Lijuan Li, Chair (562) 985-4941
Earth Science
Lora Stevens, Chair (562) 985-4809
Mathematics and Statistics
Will Murray, Chair (562) 985-4721
Physics and Astronomy
Prashanth Jaikumar, Chair (562) 985-8616
Science Education
James Kisiel, Chair (562) 985-4801
CNSM Academic Advising Center
Coordinator: Shannon Durbin
Office: HSCI 164
Telephone: (562) 985-4334
Jensen Student Access to Science and Mathematics Center
Coordinator: Vacant
Office: HSCI 164
Telephone: (562) 985-4682
CNSM Science Learning Center
Director, James Kisiel
Office: HSCI-208
Telephone (562) 985-1325
Courses: NSCI
Introduction
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) provides quality educational opportunities in the life, physical sciences, and mathematics. Alumni of the College demonstrate that science and mathematics graduates are well‑prepared to enter graduate and professional schools or to assume responsible positions in industry or government.
The College takes its responsibilities in teacher preparation in the sciences and mathematics very seriously. It participates in projects that provide a stronger, more rigorous, and more engaging set of teacher preparation programs at CSULB. There is funding from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Knight Foundation, and in collaboration with Colleges of Education and Liberal Arts, Long Beach Unified School District, and Long Beach City College.
Departments
Biological Sciences
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Earth Science
Mathematics and Statistics
Physics and Astronomy
Science Education
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Academic Advising Center
The CNSM Academic Advising Center located in the Hall of Science, Room 164 (HSCI-164) collaborates with the College’s undergraduate advisors to provide its majors with academic advising and support services so students can achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. Some of the services provided to CNSM majors include information and resources about academic programs; selection and sequence of courses; assistance with enrollment for courses; helping majors develop short- and long-term goals; assistance in navigating academic requirements, policies, and procedures; and providing appropriate referrals and career planning. The Academic Advising Center staff is available for appointments and some walk-in assistance. Please contact the Academic Advising Center for more information at cnsm-advising@csulb.edu.
Jensen Student Access to Science and Mathematics (SAS) Center and Programs Offered
The Center (HSCI 167) is dedicated to promoting success for students who pursue majors in the College and those who take courses in its departments. It also facilitates several externally funded programs. The Center provides space for studying, tutoring, mentoring, computer access, and meeting sites for student-centered activities. The Center serves as the resource center for health profession advising, graduate school opportunities, and summer research opportunities and fellowships. For additional information please contact sascenter@csulb.edu.
There are a host of activities and programs that strive to involve students and promote their success in science and mathematics. Several federally funded programs-the Center is dependent on external funding-focus on underserved students and address the diversity of our campus. In addition to fostering involvement of students in science and mathematics, they feature an ethnic identity that provides a unique encouragement for our science majors.
Research Institute for Scientific Enhancement (RISE): The College hosts this program, funded by The National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. The goal of this program is to increase the number and quality of students from specifically targeted groups/populations who pursue careers in scientific research. Students supported by this program carry out state-of-the-art biomedical research projects in conjunction with a member of the faculty. RISE supports students as early as the freshman year and also upper division transfer students. As a result of their research activities, most students present papers at scientific conferences and often co-author publications appearing in leading scientific journals. RISE students are active in various outreach and mentoring activities.
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP): The LSAMP program at CSULB is part of a larger grant encompassing all campuses within the CSU System. This program is federally funded by the National Science Foundation and aims to enhance the math and science skills of students who have faced or face social, educational, or economic barriers and are majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) Program: This is a collaborative project hosted by CNSM between the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Science Education, and the Teacher-in-Residence program recruited from local high schools. The purpose is to increase the number of physics students who earn teaching credentials. More information is under Physics in this catalog.
Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO)
This office (HSCI-164) provides a wide range of advising and support services for students pursuing preparation and application to professional schools. The HPAO offers individual counseling, academic planning, application assistance, and many other resources designed specialty for students interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, physician assistant, physical therapy, and graduate nursing.
CNSM Outreach and Community Engagement
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) is dedicated to providing access to STEM for all through community outreach, campus events, and College-sponsored programming. CNSM engages with the community through events such as Day at The Beach, a university-wide event for admitted students and their families in which CNSM hosts a college showcase. The CNSM Showcase provides admitted students the opportunity to preview academic programs, learn about research and field work opportunities, connect with academic advising and support services; explore health professions resources, and ultimately learn about the CNSM student experience. The College also hosts the annual CNSM Open House event, which provides community members access to a wealth of knowledge and research conducted by our gifted faculty and students with the hopes of inspiring future generations of scientists and mathematicians. In addition, CNSM connects with community college partners to ensure greater access to STEM pathways by hosting prospective students on the CSULB campus, as well as conducting visits to local schools.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Science Learning Center
The CNSM Science Learning Center is located in Hall of Science, Room 110 (HSCI-110). The Science Learning Center, under the direction of the Science Education Department, is phasing into utilizing evidence-based best practices in science education and community outreach. SLC operations are under new development and direction. For further information and updates, contact science.center@csulb.edu.
Student Research Opportunities
Faculty members in the College involve more than 200 students annually, both undergraduate and graduate, in a variety of research activities. Many of these students are supported by research grants, especially during the summer months. Each year many of these students present the results of their research at scientific conferences. It is not unusual for a student to be an author on an article appearing in a major scientific journal. Early each fall semester, the College, in collaboration with the Jensen Student Access to Sciences and Mathematics Center, hosts an Annual Research Symposium for students to present their findings of the research conducted in laboratories of CNSM faculty. The Symposium is open to members of the University and the greater Southern California community.
The Electron Microscopy Facility
The study of the natural sciences requires observation of the macroscopic, microscopic, and sub-microscopic character of our universe. The College has a modern Electron Microscope (EM) Facility, utilizing a Joel-1200EXII transmission electron microscope (TEM), which is used by several undergraduate courses in addition to undergraduate and graduate research projects. The EM Facility also houses additional TEMs and an AMR 1000 scanning electron microscope has analytical capabilities.
Student Organizations
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Student Council sponsors annual events including the Nobel Laureate series and student-faculty-staff mixer. There are various social and academic-related programs that offer peer support, as well as opportunities for students and faculty to interact outside of the classroom.
Other student-led groups offer activities for students who are planning careers in one of the health professions (medicine, dentistry, etc.). The Organization of PreProfessional Students (T.O.P.P.S.) and Association of Pre-Dental Students (A.P.D.S.) have speaker series with representatives from professional schools; the group also holds social functions and provides a peer advising network. Chicanos/Latinos for Community Medicine (CCM) sponsors community outreach activities, an annual workshop on interviewing techniques, and an annual conference on applying to medical/professional schools.
Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI)
The Institute operates a number of research vessels, and provides the mechanism whereby students from CSU Ocean Studies Consortium campuses at Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona, San Diego, and San Marcos, as well as Occidental College and the University of Southern California can share courses and degree programs. In addition, Institute staff conduct research and facilitate the research of CSU faculty. The major focus is on harbors and coastal areas, with emphasis on environmental issues.
California Desert Studies Consortium
CSULB participates in the California Desert Studies Consortium, which has a Desert Studies Center in the heart of the Mojave Desert at Soda Springs near the town of Baker. The surrounding area consists of typical Mojave Desert with dry lakes, sand dunes, and mountain ranges; it is the gateway to Death Valley and the Kelso Dunes. The Center has facilities for teaching field classes and for research. California State Universities at Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona, and San Bernardino are the Consortia members.
Institute for Integrated Research in Materials, Environment, and Society (IIRMES)
IIRMES promotes and enhances educational and research opportunities for faculty, graduate and undergraduate students and the greater community at large. The major goals and accompanying benefits include research and scholarly activity; development of instructional programs to provide student training and research; and contribution to community service. IIRMES promotes cross-application of analytical techniques; facilitates access to state-of-the-art instrumentation for researchers; sponsors colloquia, lectures, and conferences; promotes interdisciplinary workshops and collaborations with other universities to create research possibilities for faculty and students; promotes educational programs and research opportunities for CSULB undergraduate and graduate students; provides analytical services for scientific community; and serves as a core CSU facility for elemental microanalysis.
CSUPERB Core Facility for Micro-Chemical Elemental Analysis (FEMCA)
California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) has created a core facility for elemental micro-chemical analysis (FEMCA). FEMCA’s principal goal is to enhance the educational and research opportunities of students and faculty members in the CSU system who wish to pursue novel research in biotechnology. The facility builds on strong interdisciplinary ties between the biological, chemical, and physical sciences. FEMCA is housed within IIRMES for molecular and elemental analysis; scanning, transmission and atomic force microscopy; as well as purpose-built clean-room facilities for organic and inorganic extractions and sample preparation.
Center for Education in Proteomics Analysis (CEPA)
A grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation and supplemental funds provided by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at CSULB enabled purchase of an Applied Biosystems 4800 Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization, tandem Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer for protein and polypeptide analysis and identification. CEPA is part of IIRMES’ Facility for Elemental Micro Chemical Analysis (FEMCA), and is the only one of its kind in the USA that focuses on the use of this technology for undergraduate training and research.
ProgramsUndergraduate DegreesMinorCoursesNatural SciencesUniversity Research
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