Overview

A CNAS Learning Community (LC) is a small group of CNAS first-years with grouped by major and math placement. They take math and science courses together throughout their entire first year at UC Riverside. Our program reserves these courses for our participants, setting them on track to graduate in four years. Plus, their LC and assigned Peer Mentor(s) are a built-in support network for not just their first year but for their entire college career.

• 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

  • Core science and math classes reserved to facilitate registration

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

  • Opportunities to meaningfully connect with professors early on

  • Learn about UCR’s academic, social, and wellness resources

  • Explore potential career opportunities

• How do I join?

  All CNAS students are automatically enrolled in a learning community (LC) for their first year.

• What does being in an LC entail?

  Our 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.

  Each LC has reserved seating in the appropriate science and math courses. They will take these courses together throughout their first year, which allows students to build relationships and make friends at a large research university.

  LC students also receive additional support, both academic and otherwise.

  • Supplemental Instruction (SI): academic support for rigorous STEM classes
  • CNAS First-Year Advising Seminar (NASC091): pairs students with a trained Peer Mentor who provides first-hand advice regarding extracurriculars, career paths, 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 through RISE. 

• What core classes are reserved for LC students?

  Placement depends on the students' results from UCR's Mathematics Placement Assessment (MPA) and major requirements. Courses are reserved for the entire academic year and usually include math, chemistry, biology, and physics (again, depending on placement and major).

  MPA information will be emailed to students once they submit their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

• What is Supplemental Instruction (SI)?

  SI provides course-specific academic support via a team of SI leaders who each host two SI sessions a week. These leaders are upper-division CNAS students who have achieved top grades in that class and work closely with the professor to develop SI session materials, making SI an invaluable academic resource.

  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.

• What is NASC091?

  During fall, LC students participate in a two-unit first-year seminar class. 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 Academic Advisor, CNAS Scholars Coordinator, or Peer Mentor(s). These classes cover UCR resources, course planning, career advice, planning for pre-professional/graduate school, and more. Peer Mentors are a valuable source of first-hand advice and experience for an incoming freshman class; as such, questions are highly encouraged. 

• What are the 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 and 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. Chances to build relationships with others students in the LC
  3. Support from faculty and professional academic advisors
  4. LC-exclusive Supplemental Instruction
  5. Guaranteed seats in math, chemistry, biology and/or physics
  6. Opportunity to apply for funded summer research
  7. Higher satisfaction with your university experience
  8. 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 in NASC091, which focuses on guiding first-year students through their transition from high school to college.

  For LLCs, students must apply via their housing portals; for LCs, students are automatically enrolled.

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