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 science and math classes reserved for them to help ease the pressure of registration.

  • An opportunity to connect meaningfully with professors at an early stage

  • A chance to learn more about UCR’s resources

  • A chance to make friends, form study groups, and participate in campus activities

  • An opportunity to explore potential career opportunities

• How do I join?

  All CNAS students will be in a Learning Community for their first-year. Honors students are in the Honors Learning Community and all other students will be assigned a CNAS Scholars Learning Community at Highlander Orientation.

   

• Structure and Curriculum

  Our first-year learning communities compose the flagship program for CNAS Scholars. This year-long program is designed to promote academic success and retention for incoming CNAS students.  Each learning community is comprised of up to 24 students grouped by major and math placement. As part of our program each community is given reserved seating in their science and math courses, and will take these courses together throughout their first year. Participating students receive additional support to aid in their success in CNAS's rigorous science and math courses. Specifically, Supplemental Instruction (SI) and the CNAS First-Year Advising Seminar (NASC092 or NASC093). At completion of our program, students will have the opportunity to apply for a paid research position with a UCR CNAS faculty member for Summer. 

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

  Students will receive reserved seating in the appropriate Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics courses in Fall, Winter and Spring, depending on their placement on UCR's Mathematics Advisory Exam 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.

• NASC091

  NASC091: During fall quarter, 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 pertaining to 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 values and expectations, academic and career planning, and give them an opportunity to select a faculty mentor and to get to know a CNAS staff member or CNAS peer.

• LC Contractual Requirements
  1. Students can only join a CNAS LC during 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. 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 for your four-year graduation
• 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?

  CNAS Scholars does not provide housing for participants. Instead, students will meet twice a week in a course called NASC093, 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?