Welcome to the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (a.k.a. CNAS)!
We're thrilled to welcome you to our academic community, and we can't wait to see you on campus soon! We invite you to use this page in the months ahead to get to know CNAS better. From on-campus and virtual events to opportunities to interact with current students, faculty and staff...you'll find there's a lot to love about CNAS!
Get to Know UCR
Events
Highlander Days
First-Years I April 12, 2025
Transfers I May 3, 2025
Register now for UC Riverside's largest spring open house for admitted students and their families!
UC Riverside is excited to welcome you to our beautiful campus for this amazing in-person event! Connect with inspiring faculty and friendly students. Take a variety of unique campus tours. Discover academic, wellness, and career resources to prepare and support you through graduation and beyond!
Access these just-for-you resources:
- Financial aid and application process
- Housing and campus resources
- Colleges, schools, and majors
- Student panels, clubs, and orgs
- Student services and transfer resources
- Celebration for scholarship recipients
- So much more!
To register: Access your MyUCR portal to sign up now!
More information about Highlander Day
Register Now for Ask CNAS!
Learn about the UC Riverside College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS)...from the students themselves! You will receive a confirmation email with your webinar link upon submitting your registration form. See you online soon!
Science Lecture Series
Since its inception, CNAS scientists have shared their knowledge and research with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. Each Science Lecture Series topic tackles some of the most pressing issues we face as a local, national, and global community.
2025 Dates:
February 5, 2025 I UCR Palm Desert Center
March 4, 2025 I UCR Palm Desert Center
April 12, 2025 I UC Riverside Campus
May 3, 2025 I UC Riverside Campus
The Science Lecture Series is free and open to the public. Registration is required for each lecture. Light refreshments will be served, while supplies last.
Register Now
Podcasts
CNAS Transfer Tales
Welcome to CNAS Transfer Tales, an oral history of the transfer student experience at the UC Riverside College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS). Learn more about the CNAS transfer experience from current transfer students!
Meet CNAS Students
Advice from Current CNAS Students
Our students weigh in on how you can get the most out of your CNAS experience!
CNAS Go2s
As you think about attending UC Riverside in the fall, you're probably wondering...what should I bring with me? We asked that very question to students at the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS)! Tune in to our new video series, CNAS Go2s, to learn what our current students can't do without, and to get tips & suggestions for your continued success at CNAS! New videos added every other week.
Jennalyn Resendez
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology
Getting to Know UCR - Season #2
We asked current CNAS Students some random icebreaker questions. Tune in to the Season #2 of the series (also available @UCRCNAS) to hear what they had to say!
Meet CNAS Faculty
Featured Faculty Video:
Gareth Funning, Professor of Seismology
Gareth Funning, Professor of Seismology at the UC Riverside College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, discusses earthquakes, seismology and a strange phenomenon known as "fault creep."
Learn More About CNAS Faculty Research!
Check out the videos below to learn more about what CNAS faculty are working on in their laboratories...
Meet UCR Parents
Ask a UCR Parent
Learn about the UCR experience from the parents of current students!
How Would You Describe UCR in 3 Words?
Student Services & Support
Introducing The Undergraduate Academic Advising Center (UAAC)
All CNAS students are assigned an academic advisor who provides them with the guidance they need to navigate their degree path as well as the university as a whole.
UAAC empowers students to develop and achieve their academic goals through an individualized, student-centered approach to advising, student success programming, engagement opportunities, and campus resource connections.
UAAC Will Help You:
- Explore opportunities in your major
- Learn how to plan your courses to stay on track
- Learn how to navigate UCR policies and procedures
- Get connected to research and internship opportunities
- And much, much more!
CNAS Learning Communities (LC)
All incoming CNAS students are placed in a CNAS Learning Community (LC) - a small group of CNAS first-years with similar majors and interests, who take their math and science courses together throughout the entire first year.
Our program reserves these courses for our participants, setting them on the right track for a four-year graduation. Our Learning Communities offer incoming students more than just guaranteed classes. Their LC is a built-in support network for their entire first year at UC Riverside.
The LC Advantage:
- Students in LCs tend to have higher GPAs
- LC students receive faculty and professional academic advisor support, plus supplemental instruction
- The opportunity to apply to the Research in Science and Engineering program (RISE), a funded summer research program with tenure-track faculty
- A built-in support network for their entire first year at UC Riverside
- Making friends, forming study groups, and participating in campus activities
- And much, much more!
Watch: UC Riverside's Learning Communities
CNAS Majors
The world of science is a world of exploration!
CNAS undergraduate students have access to 17 majors within 13 departments, with a total of 29 options or tracks. In addition to their coursework, more than half of CNAS undergraduates participate in research during their time at the College.
Maybe you:
- Are excited about exploring the world for yourself
- Are interested in CNAS because of the advantage it gives you for a career in one of the medical or health professions
- Love math and science but aren't sure what direction in which to go
- Already chose your major, but want to have some other experiences too
No matter which description fits you best, the CNAS Advantage is for you!
Explore Pre-Health Opportunities
UCR Pre-Health Advising
The UCR pre-health advising program is dedicated to providing information, advising, and support for students who aspire to graduate/professional programs in the health professions and wish to enhance their academic and extracurricular preparation. Professional staff and peer mentors are available to guide students as they plan their pre-health professions coursework, health-related experiences, service work, and research in preparation for applying to programs.
In January 2025, the Health Professions Advising Center (HPAC) became the Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC), and will offer pre-law professions counseling in addition to pre-health advising to UCR students.
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Join us on campus (or online) at our upcoming events for admitted students!
Science Lecture Series 2025: Lecture title, with Prof. Miguel Arratia
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Pacific Time
UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Register for Science Lecture Series ››
Ask CNAS Admitted Student Webinar (online)
Tuesday, March 18, 2024
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM Pacific Standard Time
Register for March 18 ››
Ask CNAS Admitted Student Webinar (online)
Wednesday, April 9, 2024
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM Pacific Standard Time
Register for April 9 ››
Highlander Day (for admitted first-year students)
Saturday, April 12, 2025
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
UC Riverside
Register for Highlander Day ››
Science Lecture Series 2025: What is an organism?, with Prof. Lucy Delaney
Saturday, April 12, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Pacific Time
UC Riverside Student Success Center #229
Register for Science Lecture Series ››
Ask CNAS Admitted Student Webinar (online)
Thursday, April 24, 2024
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM Pacific Standard Time
Register for April 24 ››
Science Lecture Series 2025: Lecture title, with Prof. Adler Dillman
Saturday, May 3, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Pacific Time
UC Riverside Student Success Center #229
Register for Science Lecture Series ››
Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) deadline (for first-year students)
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Submit your SIR (First-Year Students) ››
Highlander Day (for transfer students)
Saturday, May 3, 2025
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
UC Riverside
Register for Highlander Day ››
Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) deadline (for transfer students)
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Submit your SIR (Transfer Students) ››
FAQs
Got questions? We've got answers!
How do I SIR?
If you have been offered admission to UC Riverside, you can submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) on My.UCR.EDU. You will need to review and agree to the Provisions of Admission prior to submitting your SIR.
Can I submit a late SIR?
If you intend to enroll at UC Riverside for your applied term, you should make every effort to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by your SIR deadline. At this time, there is no guarantee that we will be able to accept SIRs after the stated deadline.
What is the SLR?
Every student admitted to UC Riverside must submit the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) online.
I have completed the FAFSA, when can I expect an offer of financial aid?
New student awards become available beginning in March. Once your award is ready, you will be notified via MyUCR through "Alerts" and "Spotlights." However, if your application is selected for verification of reported information, you will be notified on MyUCR of any additional documents or information needed to complete your financial aid application. If additional documents are required, they must be submitted to the UCR Financial Aid Office by May 1 in order to maintain on-time financial aid consideration.
How can I register to live on campus?
Campus housing is in high demand and does get full quickly. First-year students must submit their contract and first payment for Residence Halls housing by May 10 to receive guaranteed housing for fall. You will select your room and roommates (if applicable) during a process that occurs during summer quarter. Transfer students must submit their contract and first payment for our Residence Halls, or submit an application for our Campus Apartments or Family Housing, as soon as possible. While space is limited, any incoming transfer students who complete their contract and submit their first payment by May 10 will be given priority to access room selection for available spaces.
@UCRCNAS
