College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
DEAN
Steven N. Murray
ASSOCIATE DEAN
Mark S. Filowitz
ASSISTANT DEAN, STUDENT AFFAIRS
Rochelle Woods
DEAN’S OFFICE
McCarthy Hall 166
657-278-2638
COLLEGE WEBSITE
http://nsm.fullerton.edu
“We provide a comprehensive educational experience to all students through student-centered, inquiry-based instruction
in the classroom and the laboratory. We view research experience for students as an essential and necessary component in the
learning of science.”
Dean Steven N. Murray
COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS
The curricula of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are designed to prepare students for careers in scientific, mathematical and other technical fields; for further study and specialization in advanced graduate work; and for entry into professional schools of medicine and other health-related disciplines. The faculty of the college is actively involved not only in instruction and research but also in the advisement of students in the college on topics relating to the planning of career and program goals. Cooperative education internship programs are available in each of the College’s Departments.
The College sponsors a variety of professional and educational programs at which students and faculty have an opportunity to meet with their counterparts. The College also has an external advisory council.
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Biological Science, Bachelor of Science
Biology, Master of Science
Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science
Biotechnology, Minor
Chemistry, Bachelor of Arts
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science
Chemistry, Minor
Chemistry, Master of Science
Geology, Bachelor of Science
Geology, Minor
Geology, Master of Science
Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts
Mathematics, Minor
Mathematics for Teacher Education, Minor
Mathematics, Master of Arts
Natural Sciences, Minor
Physics, Bachelor of Science
Physics, Minor
Physics, Master of Science
Pre-Health Professions Studies, Certificate
Science, M.A.T.S.
Recommended Preparation
For a career in mathematics or science, a sound foundation is essential. High school preparation should include:
At least three, preferably four, years of mathematics
Chemistry and/or physics, preferably both
Two or three years of foreign language
Community college preparation should include at the minimum:
College writing
Calculus
College chemistry
First course in the major
Qualifying Examinations
Enrollment in introductory courses is restricted to those who are adequately prepared, as shown by performance on qualifying examinations. In addition, the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination is required of all students unless exempt.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ADVISEMENT
Undergraduate students should call the department office of their major to arrange for advising and approval of their study plan. University policy requires students to see an adviser each of their first two semesters and every year thereafter. Most departments prefer to advise their majors more frequently. Students interested in programs in the College, but without a declared major should call the Office of the Dean for advisement.
ADVISEMENT FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS
It is important for any student interested in a career in the health professions to seek advisement at the Health Professions Office prior to registering for the first semester.
GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISEMENT
Graduate students should consult the graduate adviser in their major department before registering for the first semester. No more than nine units may be completed before an approved study plan is filed.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
General
Diefenderfer Award. Presented annually to an outstanding woman or
minority student
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Alumni Association
Scholarship for Scholastic Achievement
Jewel Plummer Cobb Scholarship for Scholastic Achievement.
Awarded to an outstanding, underrepresented science major
Wolfram Award in Computational Science. Award offers a lifetimecopy of Mathematica software to student who demonstrates
greatest potential in computational science.
Health Professions
Miles McCarthy Health Professions Award. Annually awarded to the
outstanding graduate from the program for the health professions
Kenneth Goodhue-McWilliams Award. For outstanding contributions
to community service by a health professions student
Chemistry and Biochemistry
American Chemical Society Award. Recognizes a graduating senior
chemistry-biochemistry major for exemplary academic achievement
American Institute of Chemists Award. Presented to a graduating
senior who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and
undergraduate research
James Sternberg Scholarship. Awarded to an outstanding first-year
graduate student
Glorya Welch Scholarship. Presented to an outstanding transfer
student (from a local community college)
Glenn Nakaya Scholarship. Given to an outstanding, deserving
undergraduate chemistry student based on academic achievement
The Lyle Wallace Award. For service to the Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Hypercube Scholar Award recognizes a graduating senior for
accomplishments in molecular modeling/computational
chemistry
Other awards made by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are the:
Freshman Chemistry Award and the Undergraduate Awards for Achievement in Organic Chemistry and in Analytical Chemistry
CSUF Institute of Gerontology Outstanding Student in Biochemistry
Award. Given to an outstanding biochemistry student engaged in studies on aging
Mark Lackey Award. For graduate student teaching
Glenn Nagel Scholarship. To provide support for summer undergraduate research
Robert C. Belloli Future Chemistry Teacher Scholarship. To provide support for future junior high school or high school chemistryteachers.
Biology
Rachel Carson Award. A commemoration of the ideals of Rachel Carson
Biology Chair’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship for biology majors
Friends of the Arboretum, David L. Walkington Scholarship. For an outstanding biology student who has chosen botany for a career
Donald Gardner Memorial Scholarship to recognize individuals whohave demonstrated a love of teaching biology
Dr. and Mrs. Donald B. Bright Environmental Scholarship. For students interested in careers in environmental biology
Stanley Hillman and Lon McClanahan Scholarship in plant or animal physiological ecology. For graduate students engaged in
research in these subjects
Coppel Graduate Science Award. Awarded to biology graduate students
L. Jack Bradshaw Scholarship. Awarded to upper-division undergraduate
or graduate students planning a career in immunology
Jerome Wilson Memorial scholarship. Awarded to biology students
with an interest in genetics
Kenneth Goodhue-McWilliams First Instar Award for Teaching
Excellence. Awarded to promising new graduate student-teaching associate
Kenneth Goodhue-McWilliams Metamorphosis Award in
Teaching Excellence. Awarded to a continuing graduate student teaching assistant
Dharm Vireo Pellegrini Memorial Research Grant. Awarded to biology students engaged in ornithological field research
Dr. and Mrs. Marvin J. Rosenberg Scholarship. Awarded to students
in cell or molecular biology
Judith A. Presch Endowment Desert Research Scholarship. For students pursuing research in the Mojave Desert
David L. Walkington Memorial Scholarship. For upper-division or graduate biology students
Geology
Outstanding Service Award for graduating senior students in recognition
of extraordinary service to the department community
Outstanding Major Award for academic achievement and collegiality
Outstanding Academic Achievement for academic achievement
in geology coursework
John D. Cooper Field Camp Award. For outstanding field
research performance
Prem K. Saint Hydrology Award. For research and study of hydrology
Marilyn A. Brown Scholarship
Margaret T. Skillman Woyski Scholarship. For geology majors
Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics recognizes excellent academicachievement and service by undergraduate and graduate
students in a number of awards, including the Outstanding Teaching Award, the Outstanding Math Scholar, the Math
Club Scholarship, the Lila B. Hromadka and Major Theodore Hromadka Award, and a Service Award.
Actuarial Studies Scholarship. Recognizes academic achievement for students in actuarial science
The Brandon Nghi Tran Memorial Scholarship
Santa Ana/CSUF Mathematics Scholarship. For Santa Ana High School students enrolling at CSUF
School students enrolling at CSUF
The Stiehl Prize for Excellent in Mathematics.
For exceptional honor students
Rose Klein Award in Algebra and Probability for the Secondary Teacher
Physics
The Dan Black Scholarship provides support to a junior Physics major based on need and promise, and is renewable for the
senior year.
The Dan Black Physics/Business Scholarship assists students enrolledin the business emphasis of the physics major and promotes entrepreneurship with physics majors.
The Department of Physics honors the memory of Edward Lee Cooperman, and a scholarship in his name goes to an
outstanding student.
The Constance Beech Eiker-Raymond V. Adams Creativity Award is given to a student who developed an outstanding set of instructional laboratory experiments.
The Dr. Robert W. Kedzie Award recognizes the most improved Physics major.
Norman Nitzberg Awards in Experimental Physics.
FUNDED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers)
This NIH-supported program develops six exceptional underrepresented scholars in the biomedical sciences and prepares them for success in PhD programs.
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM IN GENERAL EDUCATION
Majors in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics should take mathematics and other courses in related fields early in their academic careers. General education courses normally should be scheduled throughout the study sequence.
Because of high unit requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, this program has modified requirements for general education. Students should consult the department for particulars.
CERTIFICATE IN PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDIES
This certificate program provides the required and appropriate coursework for post-baccalaureate students who wish to change career direction and prepare for medical, dental or pharmacy professional schools. The program includes the facilities of an advising center with support for many issues related to the health professions. It is not for science majors wishing to improve their academic records or test scores in anticipation of application to professional schools.
Application Deadlines
Students are encouraged to apply for admission as soon as possible by submitting an online application starting on Oct. for fall admission and Aug. for spring admission (see http://www.csumentor.edu). Because of the limited number of students that can be accepted into this program, application deadlines may be changed based on enrollment projections.
Admission
Admission is competitive. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:
1. Acceptable bachelor’s degree in a non-science-based discipline from an appropriately accredited institution;
2. Minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units attempted, and applicant must be in good standing at last college attended;
3. A well-written, one-page statement of purpose.
Students with deficiencies in mathematics or who require additional science background in order to take the required courses are encouraged to complete the necessary coursework prior to enrolling in the certificate program. Under no circumstances will such coursework be credited towards the Pre-Health Professions Studies certificate program requirements.
Study Plan
The Certificate in Pre-Health Professions Studies requires a minimum of 50 units of approved coursework, most of which will be required by the professional schools. Other courses required for this program are either highly recommended by professional schools or important for standardized test preparation. Each student, in consultation with the Health Professions Coordinator or his or her representative, will develop a program for the student that will include the following courses or their equivalents:
Biology 172 Cellular Basis of Life (5)
Biology 273 Genetics and Molecular Biology (5)
Chemistry 120A General Chemistry (5)
Chemistry 120B General Chemistry (5)
Chemistry 301A Organic Chemistry (3)
Chemistry 301B Organic Chemistry (3)
Chemistry 302 Organic Chemistry Lab (2)
Chemistry 421 Biological Chemistry (3)
Physics 211 Elementary Physics (3)
Physics 211L Elementary Physics Lab (1)
Physics 212 Elementary Physics (3)
Physics 212L Elementary Physics Lab (1)
Math 130 or 150A A Short Course in Calculus or Calculus (4)
In addition, seven to 11 units of appropriate coursework determined in consultation with the Health Professions Coordinator shall be taken from the following list of courses or their equivalents:
Biology 302 General Microbiology (4)
Biology 303 Intermediate Cell Biology (3)
Biology 309 Intermediate Molecular Biology (3)
Biology 361 Human Anatomy (4)
Biology 362 Mammalian Physiology (4)
Philosophy 314 Medical Ethics (3)
OR Philosophy 316 Research Ethics (3)
For more detailed information or advisement, students should contact the Health Professions Advising Office.
