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June 12, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CSU Dominguez Hills Opens Science Courses to Students at California Academy of Math and Science
Class starts Monday on a new program offering college-level science courses to CAMS students beginning in 10th grade

(Carson, CA) – California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and the California Academy of Math and Sciences (CAMS) high school located on the Dominguez Hills campus, have developed the CSUDH Science Opportunity Program, a unique partnership that will provide CAMS students an opportunity to earn up to 45 units toward their bachelor’s degree in the sciences beginning as early as the summer of their sophomore year.

The first cohort will begin taking CHEM 108 Introduction to College Chemistry this Monday, June 15.

“We are very pleased to offer this exciting new program to CAMS students,” said CSUDH President Mildred García. “When I became president in 2007 I saw the potential to strengthen our partnership with CAMS and provide its students with more opportunities. Ideally we want CAMS students to think of Dominguez Hills as a natural choice upon graduation. By showcasing our nationally recognized science faculty and offering students an unprecedented jumpstart on their college career, we believe we have created a model of success for CAMS students.”

The intensive six-week summer CHEM 108 course includes four days of lecture and two days of lab work. Approximately 102 of this year’s ninth grade students — out of 169 at CAMS — applied to the Science Opportunity Program, but due to lab size constraints only 48 could be accommodated. CAMS head counselor Barry Baker said selection was based on a student’s academic standing and maturity level, as well as teacher and counselor recommendations.

“There is so much excitement about having this opportunity offered to them,” Baker said. “I really believe they hunger to achieve and succeed at higher rates.”

Over the course of their high school career, CAMS students in the Science Opportunity Program would enroll in a total of three chemistry, two biology and two physics courses at CSU Dominguez Hills – a total of 33 units – in addition to four general education (GE) courses, up to 12 units. Currently CAMS students take an average of 22 units from CSUDH, very few of which are science courses. With 45 units of college credit upon high school graduation, Science Opportunity Program students could enter university as sophomores.

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About CSU Dominguez Hills -- California State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse, urban university located in the South Bay, primarily serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The university prides itself on its outstanding faculty and friendly, student-centered environment. Known for excellence in teacher education, nursing, psychology, business administration, and digital media arts, new degree programs include computer science, criminal justice, recreation and leisure studies, social work, and communication disorders. On campus is the Home Depot Center, a multi-purpose sports complex that hosts world-class soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and cycling.

Media Contact:
Amy Bentley-Smith
(310) 243-2455
abentleysmith@csudh.edu

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