What is the csu desert studies center?
Brought to you by CSUF University Extension, the CSU Desert Studies Center (DSC), located at the heart of California’s Mojave Desert, offers unique weekend courses designed to explore the region’s rich natural, cultural, and historical landscape. Each course combines engaging classroom discussion with immersive fieldwork experiences, allowing participants to learn directly from the desert environment.
Whether your interests lie in ecology, geology, art, history, or environmental studies, these courses provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the desert from multiple perspectives — not all of them science-based.
What does a CSU Desert Studies Center weekend adventure include?
Spend a weekend at the CSU Desert Studies Center where learning extends beyond the classroom into one of California’s most inspiring landscapes. Each weekend course earns 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and is open to students, lifelong learners, educators, and professionals alike. The course fee is $350, which includes:
- Two nights of dorm-style lodging
- Five meals
- All course materials
- Engaging instruction from expert educators
- Interactive, on-site activities and field experiences
Experience a weekend of discovery, insight, and applied learning in a unique desert setting.
Course Subjects
- Anthropology/Archaeology
- Astronomy
- Geology
- Natural History
- Ornithology
Campus Affiliates
What is the upcoming CSU Desert Studies Center course?
MARCH 27-29, 2026
3D Close Range Sensing of Arid Environments
Step into the Mojave Desert and learn how scientists capture the landscape in 3D. This hands-on, three-day field course introduces students to cutting-edge geospatial technologies used to study desert terrain. Led by Dr. Stratis Karantanellis (Geological Sciences, CSU Fullerton), this immersive experience combines drone flights, terrestrial LiDAR scanning, field surveys, and GIS-based data analysis to turn real-world observations into high-resolution digital surface models.
Working in a small cohort (up to 20 participants), students will collect, process, and interpret spatial data while exploring desert geomorphology, environmental change, and natural hazards. The course emphasizes practical skills, teamwork, and real research workflows, making it ideal for students and professionals interested in geoscience, environmental studies, remote sensing, or applied GIS.
- Gain hands-on experience with drones, GNSS units, photogrammetry, and LiDAR
- Learn to create 2D maps and 3D models using tools like ArcGIS, Pix4D, QGIS, and CloudCompare
- Explore the Mojave Desert as a living laboratory for geomorphology and environmental research
- Build practical skills relevant to academic, government, and private-sector careers
- Collaborate with peers, develop workflows, and present real data-driven results
Whether you are expanding your technical toolkit or exploring a career in geospatial and environmental sciences, this course offers an engaging, applied introduction to modern 3D sensing in one of California’s most striking landscapes.
How do I register for a CSU Desert Studies Center course?
Please have your payment information ready. You will need a CSUF Campus Wide ID (CWID) to complete the registration process. Don't have a CWID? Create one here.
Refund Policy
Room and Board Fee: Full refund available if requested at least 14 days prior to arrival. Please review the CSU Desert Studies Center refund policy or contact desertstudies@fullerton.edu.
Course Fee: A full refund minus a $10 fee per class will be issued if you drop at least one business day before the class start date; no refunds will be issued for drops on or after the class start date. Please review the University Extension refund policy guidelines, contact extension@fullerton.edu.
Where is the CSU Desert Studies Center?
Nestled within the Mojave National Preserve, the CSU Desert Studies Center is a field station dedicated to education, research, and environmental appreciation. Operated by the California State University system, the Center is situated on a historic site at Zzyzx, California, surrounded by striking desert scenery, natural springs, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It provides a one-of-a-kind setting where learning truly comes alive.
For directions and additional information, visit the CSU Desert Studies Center website
