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THE COLLEGE:
The College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences (CNBS) was formed in the 2003-2004 year when the Division of Academic Affairs was reconfigured. CNBS is home to the academic departments/programs of Anthropology, Behavioral Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences (Geology and Geography), Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. The College also houses The Urban Community Research Center and the Center for Urban Environmental Research.
THE DEAN:
Dr. Philip LaPolt comes to CSUDH from Cal State L.A. where he has been associate vice president for research and academic personnel overseeing all faculty and academic student employee matters. He was also the chief research officer of the university. LaPolt has chaired and served on a number of committees and working groups on that campus and at the Office of the Chancellor. He also previously served as Cal State L.A.’s associate vice president for academic affairs, acting associate dean for graduate studies and research, and director for research and development. LaPolt earned both his Ph.D. in anatomy and his bachelor’s degree in biology at UCLA, specializing in reproductive biology. His professional record includes numerous presentations, awards, externally funded research grants, and publications (many with student co-authors). He is currently co-principal investigator on two multi-million-dollar grants that support a major capital project at Cal State LA.
THE MISSION OF THE COLLEGE:
The College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences includes programs in anthropology, biology, behavioral science, chemistry/biochemistry, computer science/technology, earth and environment, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology and sociology. We seek to improve the scientific literacy, critical thinking and problem solving skills of all CSUDH students and to prepare our majors to enter and become leaders in the scientific workforce. Students in our College become aware of the importance of science in their lives and their communities and extend this knowledge on national and global scales. Our majors are provided with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research with faculty mentors, engage in service learning in their communities and achieve better understanding of their discipline through internships. Our graduates emerge ready to enter the workforce, contribute to their communities as educated members or move on to top ranked graduate or professional schools.
THE SUCCESS OF THE COLLEGE:
Because of the small class size and commitment of CNBS faculty to student involvement in research, a significant number of our graduates gain admittance to the most prestigious M.D., Ph.D. and Pharm.D. programs in the country, including Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio State, USC, UCLA, UCSD, New York University, Purdue, and Texas. Also, the faculty of the College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences have been very successful with their external grant activity, bringing in millions to support their research. Faculty are involved in general and applied research that contributes to the expanding bodies of new knowledge.