College of Science and Mathematics
Health Career Opportunities Program (HCOP)
How can you increase the number of health care professionals in the Central Valley to best serve the needs of our diverse and vibrant community? HCOP is dedicated to serving students from all backgrounds (many underserved) who have an interest in pursuing a career in the health professions. The Central Valley has struggled for years to attract doctors, with physician-to-resident ratios well below what medical experts say is needed for adequate healthcare. Graduates of this program attend prestigious health professional schools – including UCSF, Johns Hopkins University, UC San Diego, and UC Davis - and many return to serve in the Central Valley.
College of Science and Mathematics Dean's Circle
Donations to the Dean’s Circle will provide funds for curriculum enrichment, research, travel funding for students and faculty, scholarships, technological and logistical support, events showcasing student research, professional development for students, and funding for the college’s unique and unexpected infrastructure needs (including equipment repair and replacement).
College of Science and Mathematics Outreach
There is a critical need for more STEM majors to solve complex challenges in food, water, energy, health, and the environment. We believe in engaging students early in the scientific process! Our Science Outreach programs provide critical training for future STEM teachers and inspire K-12 students. Our programs incorporate service-learning components that give Fresno State students who are future teachers the opportunity to enhance their skills by exposing K-12 students to STEM through creative hands-on demonstrations from all departments, such as chemistry, physics, and biotechnology. Fresno State students collaborate with the K-12 teachers to effectively educate the next generation of scientists.
Growing Industry-Academic Partnerships
With recent cutbacks in both state and federal funding for science, we must continue to enhance and evolve our relationships with industry in innovative and mutually reinforcing ways that will contribute enormously to progress and prosperity. Our students need the best preparation possible to fill the numerous and varied in-demand exciting career opportunities in areas such as biotechnology, neuroscience, data science, environmental science and computer science.
Classroom and Lab Space Enhancement
Investment in classrooms and lab improvements – from smart interactive Whiteboards to lab equipment including modern pipettes and balances - enhance active learning and the integration of teaching and research, having a very positive impact on student growth and development. This effort is to ensure that our spaces incorporate the latest technologies and best practices that promote innovative collaboration among students and instructors.
Infusing Innovation and Creativity in the Curriculum via High-Impact Practices
From priming students with knowledge about how they learn to providing evidence-based pedagogy in the classroom and labs, to implementing effective assessment strategies that provide feedback for student success, our talented and dedicated faculty provides the best experiences for the next generation of STEM professionals. Two examples in this area include our Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) and “Research Deconstruction” programs that embed authentic research into the curriculum that has been demonstrated to improve student engagement, retention, and career trajectories.