Overview

A CNAS Learning Community (LC) is a small group of CNAS first-years with similar majors and interest, who take their math and science courses together throughout their entire first-year at UC Riverside. Our program reserves these courses for our participants, setting them on the right track for a 4-year graduation. Our learning communities offer incoming students more than just guaranteed classes. Their LC is a built-in support network for their entire first-year at UC Riverside.

• What is a Learning Community?
  An Overview of UCR Learning Communities

  presented by UCR Faculty & Students

  View Video on Youtube

  • A small cohort of up to 24 students who navigate their first year in college together. These groups of students will have their core science and math classes reserved for them to help ease the pressure of registration.

  • Meaningfully connect with professors early on

  • Learn more about UCR’s resources

  • Make friends, form study groups, and participate in campus activities

  • Explore potential career opportunities

• How do I join?

  All CNAS students are automatically enrolled in a learning community (LC) for their first year. However, Honors students are not in a CNAS learning community as they have their own honors LC.

• What does being in an LC entail?

  Our first-year learning communities compose the flagship program for CNAS Scholars. This year-long program promotes academic success and retention for incoming CNAS students.  Each learning community includes up to 24 students grouped by major and math placement.

  As part of our program, each LC has reserved seating in their science and math courses. They will take these courses together throughout their first year.

  Participating students receive additional support for CNAS's rigorous courses. Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides academic support while the CNAS First-Year Advising Seminar (NASC091) aids students in time management, getting involved, registration, etc.

  Upon program completion, students have the opportunity to apply for a paid, full-time research position with a UCR CNAS faculty member for the summer. 

• Core Math and Science Courses: Fall, Winter, and Spring

  Students will receive reserved seating in the appropriate math, chemistry, biology, and physics courses in fall, winter, and spring depending on their placement on UCR's Mathematics Advisory Exam (MAE) and their major requirements.

• Supplemental Instruction (SI)

  SI provides students with course-specific academic support through informal and interactive sessions facilitated by upper-division CNAS students who have achieved top grades in that subject and work closely with the professor to develop the material presented in the SI sessions. These valuable workshops are led by trained peer tutors called SI Leaders who meet twice every week in a classroom setting.

  Certain SI courses will be included in the LC block for each quarter. Attendance is mandatory to remain in the LC. Students are also free to attend any of the open SI sessions. See arc.ucr.edu for more information.

• NASC091

  During fall, students in MATH 6A through non-math learning communities participate in a two-unit first-year seminar. The first component of the seminar, led by an esteemed CNAS faculty member, allows students to explore potential career options by learning about an engaging area of scientific research from an expert in that field.

  The second portion of the seminar is led by a CNAS Professional Academic Advisor, CNAS Scholars Coordinator, or Peer Mentor(s) and covers important topics discussing the college transition, such as study skills, information about UCR resources, and other educational enrichment opportunities available to students. The course will introduce students to academic and career planning, campus resources, and a convenient way to form connections with a CNAS staff member or CNAS Peer Mentor.

• LC Contractual Requirements
  1. Students can only join a CNAS LC during their summer orientation. Students cannot join during the academic year.
  2. Students must take all courses assigned to them by the Learning Community and cannot alter their schedules.
  3. Students who drop from the LC program forfeit their reserved course seating, as well as access to our research, employment, and sophomore program opportunities.
  4. Other requirements will be reviewed at Highlander Orientation.
• What are the benefits of joining the Learning Community?
  1. Higher GPAs
  2. Faculty and professional academic advisor Support
  3. LC-exclusive Supplemental Instruction
  4. Guaranteed seats in math, chemistry, biology and/or physics
  5. Opportunity to apply for funded summer research with a tenure-track faculty
  6. Higher satisfaction with your university experience
  7. Staying on track to graduate in four years
• How do I accept my CNAS LC block?
  How to Accept Your Learning Community Block

  presented by CNAS Scholars Peer Mentors

  View Video on Youtube

• How is the CNAS Scholars Learning Community different from a Living Learning Community?

  Living Learning Communities (LLCs) provide housing for participants and quarterly events.

  CNAS LCs do not provide housing. Instead, students meet twice a week NASC091 which focuses on guiding first-year students through their transition from high school to college.

• What should I do to make my first-year successful?