University Learning Services
Academic Advisement Center
The University Academic Advisement Center, located in the Library, Palmer Wing 1040A, provides General Education advisement and other non-major related services for all undergraduate students and specifically for those who have not declared a major. Special attention is given to general education course selection, information on university policies and procedures, the Introduction to Higher Education course (UNIV 101), general education petitions, the coordination of support services and resources. Walk-in requests are honored, depending on staff availability, and students are encouraged to make an appointment either online at http://www.calstatela.edu/academicadvisementcenter/schedule-appointment or by calling the center at (323) 343-3150.
University Testing Center
The University Testing Center provides testing services and assistance to all incoming and continuing Cal State LA students. Services range from administering standardized state, national, and professional examinations, to offering departmental placement exams in Math, and Chemistry.
Some of the exams administered by the Center include the American College Test (ACT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). All incoming undergraduates who are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test after admission may register for one of the eleven exam dates offered every year. The testing dates are available at the Testing Center or on the university website at www.calstatela.edu/centers/testctr. The following website will provide additional information regarding EPT/ELM: www.ets.org The Center also has information bulletins available for students on many national and local testing programs.
The Testing Center provides students with information specific to university registration holds related to the EPT, ELM and the WPE. The Testing Center is the office responsible for enforcing registration holds for students who are out of compliance with any of these requirements. Students who have a current EPT, ELM or WPE hold should contact the University Testing Center for information and assistance. The University Testing Center is located in the JFK Library, Palmer Wing, Room 2098. For more information, please call (323) 343-3160.
University Tutorial Center
The University Tutorial Center, located in the Library, Palmer Wing 1039, offers individual and group tutoring for many general education and other undergraduate courses. Trained peer tutors guide and assist students to develop content area knowledge and skills.
The University Tutorial Center also offers study skills workshops that cover such topics as time management, note-taking, textbook reading, and test-taking to guide and assist students to become confident, effective, independent learners. For more information, call (323) 343-3971.
University Writing Center
The University Writing Center (UWC), located in the Library, Palmer Wing 1039A, provides individual and group tutoring, writing workshops, and other writing services for all undergraduate and graduate students at Cal State L.A. Writing tutors provide constructive feedback and help students become more confident and effective writers.
The Center also provides Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) services for students, including WPE preparation workshops. WPE consultants are available to meet with students who have taken the WPE but have not passed. Consultants will review a student’s exam and recommend a course of action. Students with WPE-related registration holds should call the University Testing Center for information about a WPE contract. Students who are interested in taking UNIV 401 , the course alternative to the WPE, can call or visit the University Writing Center.
The University Writing Center also offers Conversation Group for students whose first language is not English. These casual conversation groups, which are staffed by UWC tutors, meet at various times throughout the week and provide students with an excellent opportunity to converse in an informal setting.
The University Writing Center is open to all Cal State L.A. students. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (323) 343-5350 or visit our Website at http://www.calstatela.edu/centers/write_cn/.
Center for Environmental Analysis-Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CEA-CREST)
CEA-CREST aims to conduct innovative environmental research and to increase the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds entering careers in the environmental sciences. The program fosters superb educational experiences by employing graduates and undergraduates in multi-disciplinary research teams tackling significant environmental problems and led by outstanding faculty researchers. Teams work on campus and at sites across the globe. CEA-CREST provides generous financial stipends for students, plus funds for travel to and research. For further information, contact the CEA-CREST office at (323) 343-5799, e-mail ceacrest@calstatela.edu, or Website http://cea-crest.calstatela.edu.
Health Careers Advisement Office (HCAO)
In general, students planning to enter a school of dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, or veterinary medicine should elect a major related to their own interests and include appropriate science courses as part of their major, general education, or electives. Medical schools expect students to show proficiency in English, mathematical reasoning, and fundamentals of physical and biological sciences. Some medical schools also require work in the social sciences, humanities, and a foreign language. Most expect completion of a baccalaureate program. The advisory staff serving pre-professional students in medical and related health fields includes two appointed health science advisers and a supporting group of faculty members in the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics and Astronomy, and Psychology. Medical sciences advisement and recommendations are coordinated through the Health Careers Advisement Office (HCAO) in BS 106, 110, (323) 343-6062. Students planning careers in these areas should visit the office for guidance about programs and application procedures, irrespective of their declared major. The staff has prepared a number of brochures that answer most of the students’ initial questions about the various health science careers. The center also contains current catalogs for every health science professional school in the United States as well as information about foreign schools, financial aid, and alternative careers.
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
LSAMP is a comprehensive, statewide program dedicated to increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority groups (URM) graduating from campuses of the California State University with baccalaureate degrees in science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) disciplines. It is funded by the National Science Foundation. Initiated in 1994, the CSU-LSAMP Alliance currently consists of 19 campuses of the California State University (CSU), each of which is partnered with at least one California Community College (CCC). In Phase III, a new emphasis has been placed on activities designed to enhance graduate school preparedness of upper division students.
CSU, Los Angeles is partnered with East Los Angeles College and Pasadena City College and currently has the largest LSAMP program with over 700 students participating each year. Eligible majors are biochemistry, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, geology, mathematics, mechanical engineering, microbiology, other engineering, and physics. Activities include summer and academic year (AY) workshop to enhance performance in specific math and science courses; AY or summer SEM research experiences; AY or summer internships; GRE preparation workshops; participation in scientific and professional conferences; graduation application assistance; graduate school application assistance; and participation in the CSU-LSAMP Scholars Program.
For further information about the LSAMP program and application forms, contact Dr. Margaret Jefferson, LSAMP Coordinator, Department of Biological Sciences, (323) 343- 2059 or lsamp@calstatela.edu.
Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
The MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training Program trains up to 10 academically accomplished (B or higher grade point average) natural and behavioral science juniors and seniors who can compete successfully for entry into graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences or an M.D.- Ph.D. degree.
Student fellows perform research under the direction of faculty who are engaged in biomedical research. A stipend is provided for each student fellow. In addition, the program provides payment of student registration fees, funds for research supplies, and a travel allowance for fellows to attend scientific meetings to present research papers. A participant’s tenure in the program is two years for trainees entering as juniors and one year for those entering as seniors.
For further information about the MARC program and applications forms, write or phone Dr. Carlos G. Gutiérrez, Director, MARC Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, (323) 343-2300.
Minority Biomedical Research Support Program (MBRS)
Designed to increase the pool of underrepresented minority biomedical scientists, the MBRS provides annual salaries for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in original research projects in collaboration with experienced faculty mentors.
Students are also given excellent opportunities to obtain experience in contemporary and sophisticated biomedical research, a seminar series presented by distinguished scientists, and travel to national and regional scientific meetings. For further information, contact the MBRS office at (323) 343-2395.
MESA Engineering Program (MEP)
MEP’s goal is to increase the number of engineering and computer science majors. MEP provides support by building its students into a high-achieving academic community. MEP services include scholarships, counseling, advising, an orientation course, a study center, study groups, employment assistance, and pre-professional career development through student organizations. MEP students learn to work cooperatively in a supportive environment. For further information, contact the MEP office, E&T A409, or call (323) 343-4527.
Students Learning in Communities (SLC)
Students Learning in Communities (SLC) is a learning community program that offers exciting academic courses and social activities, to cohorted groups of students, and is designed to enhance the academic and social experiences of CSULA students. Developmental learning communities are available to first-time freshman who need to complete a sequence of developmental math and English courses in preparation for college-level study. Thematic General Education learning communities link two or more GE courses in the same quarter and are open to students fulfilling General Education requirements. For further information, contact the SLC Office, Library, Palmer Wing 1040A, (323) 343-3184.
Computing Facilities and Services
Cal State L.A. provides the latest information technology resources to students, faculty and staff. Students have access to 217 electronic classrooms with networked computers, five student Open Access Labs, three training labs and many other “smart” rooms. Students also have access to a variety of state-of-the-art, campus-provided computers with more than 200 software packages, applications and plug-ins, including the latest web browsers. The campus wide wireless network (802.11a/b/g/n) provides anytime network access to University and Internet resources for laptops, iPads, smart phones and other electronic devices. Access is available inside all classroom buildings and from all outside areas where seating is available.
myCSULA Identity is an online self-service offering many features designed to improve service and accessibility to information. This self-service automatically creates new network/e-mail accounts, issues new accounts and passwords online, resets passwords online and reduces the sign-on to GET, GETLA and other campus systems. myCSULA Portal recognizes each user’s myCSULA Identity and opens access to e-mail, WebCT, Moodle, electronic Library resources, systems and targeted announcements based on the user’s University role. myCSULA Community enables faculty, administrators and campus group leaders to create their own communities of interest to share ideas and information.
The walk-up ITS Help Desk is available five days a week to assist students, faculty and staff with computer and network related problems: phone support is available after hours.
Open Access Lab (OAL)
Open Access Labs are available to students during daytime, evening and weekend hours. The labs are staffed by qualified student technology assistants who answer questions and provide assistance. The five OALs provide student access to a variety of services including: use of Windows and MAC computers; printing; informal lounge environment with wireless access. In addition, three of the labs also have smart rooms, which have the same equipment as the electronic classrooms, allowing students to practice their presentations. There are also group study rooms in these three labs that allow students to work on collaborative projects within the lab setting.
Further information about the Open Access Computer Labs can be obtained by visiting the computer lab website at http://www.calstatela.edu/oal
ITS Training Services
ITS training services offer a wide variety of software application training resources ranging from hands-on workshops, online YouTube and iTunesU videos and informational handouts. More information on training is available at http://www.calstatela.edu/its/training.
ITS Help Desk
ITS Help Desk provides the campus community with friendly one-on-one technical assistance including support of campus e-mail, wireless Internet access, telecommunications and more. Additional information, including hours of availability for both walk up and phone service are available at http://www.calstatela.edu/its/helpdesk.
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