OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
King Hall D1051
Phone: (323) 343-2000
E-mail: nss@calstatela.edu
Website: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/nssd/
Administrators:
Dean: James P. Henderson, Dean
Associate Dean: Rennie B. Schoepflin (Acting)
Fiscal/Administration: Donny Hua
The College of Natural and Social Sciences (NSS) is the largest and most diverse in the University with over 200 outstanding and dedicated faculty who have won more Statewide Outstanding Professor Awards than faculty in any other academic unit at Cal State L.A. Composed of fourteen different departments offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, the College curriculum embraces a range of subjects from A to Z (anthropology to zoology).
At the undergraduate level, the College is strongly committed to liberal arts and sciences with courses offered in all six blocks of the present General Education program. All of the courses in the American Institutions, Natural Science, and Quantitative Reasoning sections are taught by faculty in NSS. In addition, the College offers courses in the Humanities, Social Science, Lifelong Learning and Critical Thinking blocks of the GE program.
Faculty in Chicano Studies, the Korean American and Korean Studies Center, Latin American Studies, Pan African Studies, and Religious Studies combine with their counterparts in Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology to significantly promote the university goals of multiculturalism and diversity through teaching, curriculum development and service.
Students taking classes in NSS can choose majors leading to a liberal arts degree as well as degrees aimed at preparing them for professions in law, medicine, teaching, and science. The Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology work together in the highly successful Minority Biomedical Research Support Program (MBRS). The Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geography and Urban Analysis, and Geological Sciences work together in the Center for Environmental Analysis (CEA-CREST) program that supports students pursuing careers in environmental sciences. The latter program represents a prime example of fruitful collaboration encouraged by the unique presence of both natural and social science disciplines in one college.
The Department of Political Science offers a Prelegal Option in its major and a Prelaw minor for students interested in a legal career.
The Department of Chicano Studies offers a multiple subject teaching option for students interested in a teaching career. The Biology, Chemistry, Geology, History, Math, Physics, and Natural Science programs offer students a program for a single subject credential.
The College of Natural and Social Sciences houses several programs designed to facilitate collaboration between Cal State L.A. and other institutions. Bridges to the Future is a partnership with the Pasadena, Los Angeles and East Los Angeles community colleges to increase the transfer of minority students in the biomedical sciences disciplines at Cal State L.A. Bridges to the Ph.D. is a collaborative effort by Cal State L.A., UCLA, USC, and UCI aimed at increasing the number of minority students in Ph.D. programs in the fields of biomedical sciences and the CSU, Los Angeles Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation is a partnership with East Los Angeles College and Pasadena City College to increase graduation rates of underrepresented minority students in science, engineering and mathematics disciplines, and to prepare them for graduate school. Several projects sponsored by the Environmental Biology Faculty Group, including the Cal State L.A. Marine Biology Research Project, facilitate collaboration with scientists from the National Marine Fisheries Service to provide internships and learning projects for Cal State L.A. students interested in the study of biological, oceanographic and global change.
NSS also has a variety of programs and projects that facilitate collaboration between faculty in the biological, health and environmental sciences. In addition to the MBRS and CEA-CREST programs mentioned above, these include the Environmental Sciences Office, Center for Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing (CSARS), the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC), and Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles is committed to programs of academic excellence in the fields of natural and social sciences that provide access and opportunity for our uniquely diverse student body. The College provides innovative degree programs leading to the baccalaureate and master's degrees in an environment that encourages research participation by students and faculty. The College is committed to providing a broad educational experience for all university students, thereby enhancing their ability to contribute to society. Interaction among the natural sciences, social sciences and the community is an essential component of our programs.
The diversity of the major programs, options, and minors in the College of Natural and Social Sciences permits students to pursue a variety of educational goals. All the programs permit students to pursue a liberal arts education, but special options and minors within these programs also permit students in NSS to focus on preparation for careers in education, science, law, medicine, government and industry. Students are encouraged to peruse the following list of programs, options, and minors to see the variety of options that are available to them. More detailed descriptions of these programs can be found in the alphabetical listing of programs in the Academic Programs: Department, Division and Interdisciplinary-based chapter of this catalog.
(Department of Pan African Studies)
B.A., African American Studies and Minor in Pan-African Studies
B.A., Minor
B.S., Single Subject Teaching Credential Biology and Microgbiology, Minor
(Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
B.A. , B.S., Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credential
B.A. in Geography, General Option, Geographic Information Systems Option, Urban Analysis Option, Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credential, Minor, Certificate Program in Geographic Information Systems, Certificate in Urban Land Use and Property Analysis
B.S., Minor, Single Subject Science Credential Option
B.A., General Option, Teacher Preparation Option, Minor, Single Subject Credential in Social Science, Minor in Labor and Working Class Studies, Minor in Religious Studies
(Department of Chicano Studies)
B.A., General Program Option I, Option II, Elementary Subject Matter Program Chcano Studies, Option II: Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option, Option III: Blended Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option Chicano Studies, Option IV: Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Directed Electives Option Blended Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option, Elementary Subject Matter Option, Multiple Subject Credential Option.
(Department of Biological Sciences)
B.S. Traditional Option, Biology Emphasis, Chemistry Emphasis, Geoscience Emphasis, Physics Emphasis; Blended Option, Biology Emphasis, Chemistry Emphasis, Geoscience Emphasis, Physics Emphasis, Single Subject Credential Subject Matter Preparation Option
B.A., B.S. in Physics, B.S. in Physics Option in Biophysics, The Credential Program in Physics, Minor in Physics,
B.A., General Option, Global Politics Option, Prelegal Option, Public Administration Option, General Minor, Prelegal Studies Minor, Public Administration Minor, Global Politics Minor
BA, General Option, Inequalities and Diversity Option, Law and Society Option, Minor in Law and Society, Minor, Minor in Social Gerontology
Graduate Dean's Office
King Hall D1051
Phone: (323) 343-2005
E-mail: nss@calstatela.edu
Website: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/nssd/1GRAD_2ca.php
The College of Natural and Social Sciences offers fourteen master's degree programs in the fields of natural and social sciences. These graduate programs prepare students for advanced study toward the Ph.D. degree and for careers as professionals in NSS disciplines, community college teaching, industry, and government. Please see below for listing of programs and visit our website for more information.
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Association for Behavior Analysis: International
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
provides training in five areas: culture theory, ethnography, archaeology, linguistics, and physical anthropology.
prepares students for biological research, doctoral study, and technical positions.>prepares students for biological research, doctoral study, and technical positions.
(also an option in Biochemistry) prepares students for employment in industry, teaching, or more advanced study toward the Ph.D. degree.
Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science
prepares students for environmental science research, doctoral study, community college teaching, and technical positions in universities, industry, or governmental agencies. The degree offers three options: Environmental Biology, Environmental Engineering Science, and Environmental Hydrology.
prepares students for teaching at secondary and community college level, employment in government and private industry.
prepares students for professional employment in industry and government, teaching positions in community colleges, or advanced study toward the PhD degree. Two options are available: Geology and Environmental Hydrogeology.
is designed for the attainment of a liberal education appropriate to careers in such professions as law, journalism, business, government service, and librarianship.
provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of one of the world’s major regions. The program prepares students to pursue careers in teaching, public service, nonprofit organizations, or commerce or to continue in Ph.D. programs in the social sciences.
prepares students for higher mathematical work in industry, business, government, and teaching.
Master of Arts Degree in Mexican American Studies
Department of Chicano Studies prepares students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. or teach in community colleges.
prepares students for community college teaching, employment in industry, or further graduate study toward the doctorate in Physics.
emphasizes advanced studies for those interested in community college teaching or preparing for doctoral studies in political science.
(Department of Political Science) provides present and future public service employees the administrative skills and knowledge for personnel, financial, and coordination functions in public agencies.
is a rigorous mentor-based graduate program designed to develop research and conceptual skills for students whose primary interest is in continuing their education in a doctoral program. A key feature of the program is a close mentoring relationship with a faculty member who oversees the student's progress toward his or her individual research goals.
Applied Behavior Analysis Option: Is designed to develop specialized professional competence in the application of behavior analysis to counseling, the education of normal children and the developmentally disabled.
Forensic Psychology Option: is designed for students whose primary interest is in working or studying in areas of psychology that intersect with the Criminal Justice system.
Marriage, Family Therapy Option: meets the educational requirements for state licensure as a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor as set forth by the State of California.
prepares students for doctoral studies, teaching, or working in a professional capacity in governmental or private agencies.
The individual applies via CSUMentor for admission to the university and to the major department if necessary. The Admissions Office evaluates the CSUMentor application for minimum Title 5 criteria and sends the results to the major department. The academic department makes the final decision to admit the student to the graduate program.
In addition to University regulations, the College of Natural and Social Sciences has specific graduate regulations governing the following:
· Special Action Admission
· Eligibility of courses on probationary program
· Graduate Writing Proficiency Examination requirement
· Transfer credit on a master’s degree program
· Procedures for the master’s thesis
· Procedures for the comprehensive examination
· Changing option from comprehensive examination to thesis and vice versa
· Validation of expired courses on a master’s degree program
Please check with your major adviser or the Graduate Studies Office of the College for more information.
NSS 101 Introduction to Higher Education: Living an Examined Life (4)
Orientation to thinking strategies applicable to lifelong problem solving in academic, social, and personal life. Introduces critical thinking, information literacy, university resources, and academic planning for student success. Graded ABC/NC
Freshmen IHE and Block E
NSS 301 Transition to Cal State L.A. for Natural and Social Science Majors (2)
Exploration of skills and resources that will help the transfer student attain degree objectives. This course fulfills the University requirement for an introduction to higher education course for transfer students. NIS account required. Graded ABC/NC.
NSS 354 Special Topics (1-4)
Prerequisite; varies with topic. Topics of special interest to wide university audience as announced in Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for credit as topic changes.
NSS 454 Special Topics in Natural and Social Sciences (1-4)
Prerequisites: As needed for specific topic. Current topics of special interest to students in Natural and Social Sciences, as announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 units for credit.