This is an archive of the 2014-2015 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2014-2015 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Center for Innovative and Engaged Learning Opportunities (CIELO)

  • Coordinator: Cheryl Spector
  • Sierra Hall (SH) 422, 433-443
  • (818) 677-6535

The mission of the Center for Innovative and Engaged Learning Opportunities (CIELO) is to enhance teaching in support of meaningful, deep and sustained learning experiences while supporting the scholarship of teaching, learning and engagement. CIELO brings together four CSUN Programs: Faculty Development, New Faculty Orientations and Programs, Community Engagement and Academic First Year Experiences, described individually below. Founded on the belief that enhanced and improved teaching has a direct and positive impact on student learning and satisfaction, CIELO helps create learning environments that take full advantage of the University’s distinguished faculty, the scholarship of teaching and learning and the surrounding community.

Academic First Year Experiences

The Academic First Year Experiences Program includes University 100 (The Freshman Seminar); the cohorted classes in the Freshman Connection; the First Year Experience Living Learning Community; the Freshman Common Reading Program; the Freshman Faculty Series; and additional academic programs serving significant numbers of first-year students and the faculty and staff who work with them.

Mission: The mission of the Office of Academic First Year Experiences is to develop, support, assess and improve both teaching and learning in freshman courses and in academic programs serving first-year students across the University.

Activities: We sponsor workshops, presentations and other programs for CSUN faculty and other campus community members interested in the activities and ideas of the First Year Experience, including student engagement, linked and cohorted courses, interdisciplinary collaboration and learning-centered pedagogy. We encourage campus-wide dialogue and collaboration among faculty, staff and administrators who work intensively with first-year students.

Advisory Committees: The Freshman Seminar Steering Committee includes faculty members, administrators and Advising and Student Affairs representatives. The Steering Committee of the First Year Experience Living Learning Community includes Residence Life staff, RAs, faculty, representatives from the Career Center and other areas of Student Affairs, and (from time to time) first-year residents of the FYE LLC. The Freshman Common Reading Program Selection Committee includes the First Year Experience librarian, the director of Academic First Year Experiences and a dedicated group of faculty, staff, administrators and students.

Community Engagement

Community Engagement offers course-based, credit-bearing educational experiences that allow students to participate in a faculty-organized community-learning opportunity that:

  • Addresses community needs identified by a not-for-profit community.
  • Fulfills identified and course-specific learning objectives.
  • Engages students throughout the semester.
  • Incorporates shared and learning, structured reflection and problem-solving as to gain further understanding of course content.
  • Encourages students to become participants in their community.

Faculty Development

  • Director: Whitney Scott
  • Associate Director: Michael Rivas
  • Director of New Faculty Orientation: Gregory Knotts
  • University Hall (UN) 215
  • (818) 677-5934
  • www.csun.edu/facdev

Faculty Development is dedicated to supporting faculty in their multiple roles as teachers, scholars, artists and members of the University’s academic community. Its goals are to promote effective teaching and learning practices, foster professional growth, strengthen collegial ties and support the scholarship of teaching and learning.

The office is responsible for coordinating new faculty orientation programs; designing workshops, seminars, discussions and learning communities for CSUN faculty to meet Faculty Development’s goals; coordinating the selection of recipients of funding for Judge Julian Beck Learning-Centered Instructional Projects (Beck Grants), Probationary Faculty Grants, and the Competition for Attending Teaching Conferences; and providing resources on best practices in teaching and learning.

China Institute

The China Institute facilitates and coordinates CSUN activities related to Chinese institutions. Ongoing activities include exchange of professors, students, scholars, performing artists, books, films and facilities; conducting study and culture tours; coordinating conferences, seminars, lecture series, symposia and internship/trainee programs; and facilitating cooperative research projects and technology transfers. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing research or study in China on an individual basis may contact the Institute. Faculty grants also are available for those interested in conducting comparative studies in China.

General Education Honors Program

  • Director: Beth Wightman
  • University Hall (UN) 215
  • (818) 677-2969
  • Fax: (818) 677-3977
  • www.csun.edu/gehonors

The General Education Honors Program offers high achieving CSUN students a diverse, enriched academic experience in General Education that promotes the fullest development of students’ academic potential.

General Education Honors students enroll in special sections of GE courses taught by outstanding Northridge faculty. These courses satisfy required areas of the University’s General Education Program. Each GE Honors course receives a special designation on the academic transcript. In addition, students who meet the following requirements will receive an Honors Certificate at the time of graduation:

  1. Complete 15 units of GE Honors courses;
  2. Receive a grade of “B” or better (3.0 GPA) in GE Honors courses; and
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 in all work completed at the University.

GE Honors Students have opportunities to participate in the annual CSU Honors Conference, the GE Honors Faculty Lecture Series, special workshops on graduate school and career planning, and more. GE Honors Students also may join the Honors Living Learning Community, a special floor in the dorms for GE Honors students.

Admission to the General Education Honors Program:

First-Time Freshmen with a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to join the GE Honors Program. Continuing students at California State University, Northridge with a CSUN GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to join the GE Honors Program. Presidential Scholars are eligible and encouraged to join GE Honors. Students transferring from other Colleges and Universities with a GPA of 3.5 or higher in college work are eligible to join the GE Honors Program.

International and Exchange Student Center (IESC)

The International and Exchange Student Center (IESC) provides services to all international students after they have been formally admitted to the University. The Office will assist international students in: (1) Referring them to the appropriate Departments for academic advising in General Education and their major field of study; (2) Complying with the laws and regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service; and (3) Assisting with students’ academic or personal concerns. An international orientation program for all new freshman and transfer students also is offered each semester.

The Office also coordinates cultural and social events so that international students can share their national heritages with the campus educational community. Student Panels for an International Curriculum and Education (SPICE), a weekly coffee hour on Fridays at noon and the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars are some of the highlights of the IESC.

Opportunities to both study abroad or to take a semester to attend another U.S. campus for a semester or a year on exchange through the National Student Exchange program (NSE) also are available through this office. To qualify for admission to the California State University International Programs (CSUIP), students must have Upper Division or graduate standing at a CSU campus by the time of departure. Students at the sophomore-level may, however, participate in the language acquisition programs in France, Germany and Mexico.

California community college transfer students are eligible to apply to the CSUIP directly from their community colleges after they have applied to CSUN and have been or are in the process of being admitted to the University. Students also must possess a current cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the Program for which they apply. Some Programs also have language study and/or other coursework prerequisites.

To qualify for admission to the National Student Exchange Program, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Through National Student Exchange, CSUN student have access to more than 190 campuses nationwide. Students can participate in this Program for one semester or a maximum of one academic year.

Students my also apply to short-term international exchange programs through campus-based exchanges, participate in the Fullbright program, or apply for Chinese government scholarship programs, which provides them with the opportunity to study in China.

Additional information and application materials for all Programs may be obtained at the International and Exchange Student Center.

Learning Resource Center 

  • Director: Rashawn Green
  • Oviatt Library 3rd Floor, East Wing
  • (818) 677-2033
  • Fax: (818) 677-3632
  • www.csun.edu/lrc

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) serves students needing assistance in courses or desiring to improve such skills as reading, writing, note taking, test taking and study strategies—skills necessary for effective university-level learning. The LRC also provides services that support, supplement and enrich the University’s regular academic curriculum.

Writing Center: Writing Center consultants help students with academic, professional and personal writing, such as essays, reports, research papers, business letters, resumes and more. They also work with students to develop effective strategies for time management, critical reading, note taking and test taking. Additionally, consultants assist students preparing to take the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Examination. An appointment is necessary: Walk-ins are accepted only when appointments are not booked.

Writing Lab: Peer tutors work with students enrolled in Stretch Composition (AAS, AFRS, CAS, CHS, ENGL and QS 113, 114 or 115), as well as students enrolled in University 100—The Freshman Seminar. In addition to assisting students with their writing process, tutors can help students develop effective study strategies. The Writing Lab operates on an appointment and walk-in basis.

Supplemental Instruction for Approaches to University Writing 113: UNIV 061/062 is a mandatory corequisite course for students enrolled in AAS, AFRS, CAS, CHS, ENGL or QS 113A/B. Students receive a maximum of 1 additional unit of non-baccalaureate credit per semester. UNIV 061/062 SI sessions are led by experienced peers who have been successful in writing courses. SI sessions support students in their critical reading, expository writing and research skills.

Supplemental Instruction: Supplemental Instruction (UNIV 060) is an academic-assistance program designed to help students master difficult course material in historically challenging classes. Students participate in a series of weekly peer-facilitated small-group study sessions that focus on learning strategies and problem-solving skills specific to the corresponding lecture course. Students enroll in UNIV 060 for 1-unit, non-baccalaureate credit.

Science Math and Related Topics Lab: The SMART Lab offers individual and small-group tutoring for such subjects as Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Physics, as well as numerous Math courses, including algebra, calculus and statistics. The SMART Lab operates Monday-Friday. No appointment is necessary.

Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program at CSUN, UCLA Army

Students attending CSUN or surrounding community colleges can participate in the UCLA Army ROTC Program at CSUN. For more information, call, email or visit us at the ROTC Office on campus, located in Building AD 710B near the northwest corner of the University Hall parking lot.

Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program, Air Force

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) consists of a 1-credit academic course for first and second year students and a 3-credit course for third and fourth year students. All students also participate in a weekly 2-hour leadership laboratory. Undergraduate students attending CSUN can participate in AFROTC at UCLA. For more information, contact the AFROTC Det 055 (UCLA) Recruiting Flight Commander at (310) 825-1742.

Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI)

  • Director: Dr. Larry G. Allen
  • (310) 519-3172
  • CSUN Science and Mathematics College Dean: Jerry Stinner
  • (818) 677-2005
  • www.scmi.net

CSUN is a member of the Ocean Studies Institute (OSI) which is composed of the 8 CSU’s in southern California. OSI is a major partner in the Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI), a consortium combining the marine resources of OSI and several other universities in southern California. SCMI operates a small marine laboratory in Los Angeles Harbor and 1 coastal research vessel, the R/V Yellowfin. SCMI also has a substantial amount of gear, equipment and a fleet of smaller boats to support teaching and research. OSI offers a Marine Biology Semester for CSU students every Fall semester at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Santa Catalina Island. OSI also runs an AAUS Scientific Research Diving Program for CSU faculty, staff and students. OSI/SCMI coordinates various educational and research activities for marine scientists and engineers. Science programs utilize these facilities and individual students gain access to the Institute operations through courses and independent study.

Special Major

The Special Major is designed to meet the academic needs of students whose educational goals require study in at least three academic disciplines and cannot be achieved within the framework of existing majors and minors and within 120 units. The Special Major consists of a minimum of 44 units and a maximum of 66 semester units, 24 of which must be at the upper division-level. Courses used to satisfy General Education requirements may not apply toward the Special Major. Applicants must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and apply for the Special Major before they have earned 80 units. For details on application procedures, contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies.