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The College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics (NSM) is dedicated to the principle that teaching and research are intricately mixed and that undergraduate research, when properly approached, is an integral part of teaching. This fine balance between teaching and research is NSM's greatest strength. Through the combination of quality instruction, student involvement in research and strong academic advisement, NSM provides its students with the best education possible. NSM is one of seven colleges at CSUF and contains five departments. The college offers through its departments and programs, baccalaureate degrees in all disciplines and master's degrees in biological science, chemistry, biochemistry, geology, physics and mathematics. 
NSM currently has 91 full-time faculty members. In 2010, there were over 2000 students majoring in the programs
offered by NSM. Each year the college graduates an average of about 260 students with baccalaureate
degrees and 65 students with master's degrees. Many of our graduates, either immediately following graduation
or after receiving postgraduate degrees, find employment in the neighboring communities, providing a tremendous
resource for the economic development of the area.
Mission StatementVision Through creating knowledge and learning by discovery, CNSM changes the lives of students while preparing them for advanced degrees and successful careers in science and mathematics. Mission The College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics is dedicated to the principle that teaching and research are intricately mixed and that undergraduate research is an integral part of education. Through the combination of quality instruction, student involvement in research, and strong academic advisement, we transform the student experience. Tagline Exploration by Inquiry and Learning Through Discovery. Strategic Goals (2011/12 – 2015/16)Goal 1: Maintain the infrastructure required for high-quality research and preparation of students for future graduate school and career pursuits Goal 2: Establish transdisciplinary research and degree programs Goal 3: Upgrade and advance CNSM undergraduate and graduate programs Goal 4: Prepare students for careers Goal 5: Increase CNSM graduation rates Goal 6: Increase CNSM funding base Goal 7: Increase efficiency of current resource management Goal 8: Maintain an appropriate number of high-quality staff members Goal 9: Establish a 21st century learning environment Download full text of CNSM 2011/12 – 2015/16 Strategic Plan (pdf) Download CNSM 2011 Convocation (pdf) Strategic Priorities (AY 2011/12)Priority 1: Upgrade Infrastructure. The College will respond to the long-term need for appropriate space and equipment for instruction and faculty-student collaborative research. This priority is consistent with CNSM 2011/12-2015/16 Strategic Plan Goal 1. Priority 2: Responsive Fiscal Management. The coming year promises to offer the greatest resistance to fiscal health of any in the life of the University. Nevertheless, the College must meet the expectations of CSUF and CSU while advancing new priorities and maintaining the quality of existing programs. This priority is consistent with CNSM 2011/12-2015/16 Strategic Plan Goals 6 and 7. Priority 3: Enhance Programs to the Benefit of Graduate and Undergraduate Students. The development of more scholarship, learning community, research and degree program opportunities will directly affect the quality of both graduate and undergraduate student experiences. Additionally, now that many careers in the U.S. require the use of complex, transdisciplinary approaches, the College needs to shift some of its attention to transdisciplinary degree programs that prepare students for the growing sectors of the workplace that offer careers that require math, science, business, and technology. This priority is consistent with CNSM 2011/12-2015/16 Strategic Plan Goals 2 and 3. Priority 4: Engage Students in Activities to Improve Graduation Rates. The CSU goal to increase graduation rates is in keeping with the College strategies to improve efficiency of resource management—this action will result in fewer sections offered for repeating students, increased availability of courses that have been traditionally impacted, and improved retention rates. This priority is consistent with CNSM 2011/12-2015/16 Strategic Plan Goal 5. Priority 5: Enhance Activities that Prepare Students for Careers. Traditionally, higher education has viewed its role to be the educating of students in broad and deep discipline-focused materials that prepare them to succeed in a variety of careers from which they might choose in the future. As noted above, many careers in the U.S. require the use of complex, transdisciplinary approaches, so it is even more important for students to learn about career options and the academic background they require for long-term success. Thus, we will add a focus on broadening student awareness of career options and the value of participating in internship programs when possible. This priority is consistent with CNSM 2011/12-2015/16 Strategic Plan Goal 4. Priority 6: Establish high-quality online courses. To meet the growing student demand for courses offered outside the traditional time and location framework of the University, we will take advantage of the experts in OASIS to help the CNSM faculty develop online courses that incorporate the best practices for building online courses that not only offer non-traditional time-and-place options but that also provide a unique approach to pedagogy not possible in a traditional setting. This priority is consistent with CNSM 2011/12-2015/16 Strategic Plan Goal 9. Download full text of Strategic Priorities AY 2011/12 (pdf) |
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Biological Science