Science and Math Showcase 2024

Saturday, April 13, 2024
9:00am-3:00pm on the Cal State Long Beach campus
10:00am-2:00pm in Hall of Science (HSCI) for CNSM College Showcase

The Science and Math Showcase is a FREE event for Fall 2024 first-time, first-year and transfer students admitted to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) at Cal State Long Beach.

The Showcase is part of a larger campus-wide event called Day at The Beach and aims to give admitted students and their families an in-depth look at the academic experience within our college. Participants can meet with faculty and current students, and learn more about academic departments, degree programs, and class experiences. This is an open house experience and is not considered an official orientation.

Please RSVP with Day at The Beach to attend the campus-wide event. No additional RSVP is required to attend the Science and Math Showcase.

Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Science and Math Showcase Agenda

Please note this is a tentative agenda and may change. The following is the schedule for the CNSM college-specific showcase. All of the following events are in the Hall of Science (HSCI) building.

  • 9:00am-10:00am: Live Streaming of the Welcome Session
  • 10:00am-2:00pm: Meet the CNSM Departments and Programs
  • 10:00am-2:00pm: Exhibitions
  • 11:00am-2:00pm: Lab Tours (first come, first served)
  • 11:00am: Student Panels, Health Professions Presentation, Parent and Family Session (session 1)
  • 12:00pm: Student Panels, Health Professions Presentation, Parent and Family Session (session 2)
  • 1:00pm: Student Panels, Health Professions Presentation, Parent and Family Session (session 3)

 

Learn more about:

9:00am-10:00am

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) welcomes science and math students and their families to enjoy the live stream of the Welcome Session in the Hall of Science (HSCI) building. This is a great opportunity for those who were not able to get tickets for the in-person session at the Pyramid.

10:00am-2:00pm

All of our CNSM Departments will be available to answer your questions and help you learn more about the programs they offer. You can expect to meet representatives from the following departments:

  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry & Biochemistry
  • Earth Science
  • Environmental Science & Policy
  • Mathematics & Statistics
  • Physics & Astronomy
  • Science Education

Representatives from the following programs will also be available:

  • CNSM Student Clubs & Organizations
  • CNSM Academic Advising
  • CSULB Research Programs
  • Science and Math Beach XP Learning Communities

10:00am-2:00pm

Experience the following spaces at your own pace, no sign-up needed!

Plant Display

Learn about the numerous rare plants, unique plants, and native plants that we study here at The Beach.

teacher pointing out features of an orchid to visitors

Mammal Lab

Browse through our extensive biological collections of preserved skins, skulls, and skeletons.

collection of mammal skeletons

Science Learning Center

Explore the Science Learning Center (SLC), a unique learning space located on campus. The SLC seeks to provide exceptional learning experiences for both local K-8 youth as well as the students of CSULB through exhibits and activities that encourage questioning and hands-on investigation.

young scientists building tower out of index cards

11:00am-2:00pm

Lab tours are first come, first served. Tours run every 15-30 minutes. Limited space is available.

You will have the opportunity to experience a gently-guided tour of the following labs.

Shark Lab

Check out some of the technology that Dr. Chris Lowe's Shark Lab uses to track shark migration and monitor behaviors.

Shark Lab autonomous underwater vehicle

Marine Lab

Tour through the Marine Lab's touch tanks for a close experience with some marine animals.

marine lab touch tanks

Stingray & Butterfly Biomechanics Lab (STABB Lab)

See some of the ways that Dr. Benjamin Perlman's STABB Lab tests the movements and behaviors of stingrays.

experiment with stingray biomechanics

11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm

Come hear what current and former students have to say about their experiences in studying science and math at CSULB. The panels run concurrently, but each are offered in 3 different sessions during the times listed above.

First-Time, First-Year Student Panel

Shannon Durbin and her dog Boz

Hear from first-time, first-year CNSM students who were in your shoes not too long ago! During this session you'll learn all about the transition from high school to college, how to get involved on campus, and what to expect as a STEM student at CSULB. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Shannon Durbin, Coordinator of Academic Advising for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Transfer Student Panel

Ashley Carter

Learn about the transfer experience and how to navigate your first semesters at CSULB from CNSM transfer students in various majors. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Ashley Carter, Associate Professor and Faculty Advisor for Biology majors.

Career and Alumni Panel

Judy Brusslan

Meet CNSM alumni and learn about how CSULB prepared them for successful careers in their fields of study. Follow them from the beginning of their undergraduate journey to where they are now. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Judy Brusslan, Professor of Biology.

11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm

Each of the presentations run once an hour and last about 30-45 minutes.

Health Professions Presentation

Thomas Mast

The Health Professions Advising Office assist students across campus who are interested in pursuing health professions after they graduate. During this session, you'll learn about how students can best prepare for a successful career in the medical field and which resources are available to you as you navigate prerequisites and applications for pre-professional schools. This presentation will be facilitated by Dr. Thomas Mast, Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences and Health Professional Advising Coordinator.

CNSM Parent and Family Session

All CNSM parents and family members are welcome to join us to learn about campus experiences, safety, and resources that are available to all CSULB students. This session will include a short presentation followed by a Q&A session. The presentation will be facilitated by Dr. Curtis Bennett, the Richard D. Green Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and by Sonia Santos, Engagement Coordinator and Senior Academic Advisor.

Curtis Bennett
Sonia Santos

Before the Event - Explore

Your college experience will be more than just going to class. Before coming to the event, we encourage you to explore the opportunities available at Cal State Long Beach, where you will be able to immerse yourself in faculty-mentored research, join other students in clubs and organizations, and much more.

Virtual Tour

Find out what life is like on campus, and what science and math students can experience in the classroom, in the lab, and in the field with our virtual tour.

Academic Departments and Programs

Learn more about the science and math that we do at Cal State Long Beach:

VIDEO: More Than A University

VIDEO: Explore Biology at CSU Long Beach

VIDEO: Marine Biology at CSU Long Beach

VIDEO: Explore Chemistry at CSU Long Beach

VIDEO: Explore Math at CSU Long Beach

VIDEO: Explore Physics at CSU Long Beach

VIDEO: CSULB Science Teaching Credential

Find out more about what each department has to offer:

Research Opportunities

Cal State Long Beach is unique in that it gives you access as early as your first year to student research experiences, volunteer opportunities, and student research symposiums so that you can be at the forefront of new science and math discoveries.

Beach XP Learning Communities

The Science and Math Beach XP program is designed to support CNSM students navigate through their college transition, build a community among their peers, and promote academic success. The Beach XP, short for Beach Experience, is a program for incoming first-time first year students that aims to establish peer networks, enhance learning, build career connections, and cultivate community through friendship and fun.

Students enrolled in Beach XP meet with the same peers each week for designated courses that count toward their general education or major-specific requirements. The Beach XP program learning communities are designed to create connections and support our students' educational goals, bringing important opportunities and resources directly to them.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Students can network professionally, prepare for their careers, explore interests, and connect to the community through various student clubs and organizations. Ranging from pre-professional organizations like the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, to service organizations like Medlife, to social clubs, there is a wide array of involvement opportunities at Cal State Long Beach for science and math students.

CSULB Events & Orgs is the official home for websites of student clubs and organizations. You can see a list by going to "Organizations" and selecting a category; the Academic: Science & Mathematics and Career & Professional Development categories are particularly useful for science and math students.

After the Event - Next Steps

We hope that we can show you that The Beach is the place to be!

If you are ready to commit to Cal State Long Beach, here are the next steps to take:

We look forward to seeing you on campus!