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.

Course Subjects

Anthropology/Archaeology
Astronomy
Geology
Natural History
Ornithology

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.

What is the upcoming CSU Desert Studies Center course?

New course coming soon in October:

Birds of the Eastern Mojave Desert

Discover the extraordinary birdlife of the Mojave Desert during one of nature's greatest migrations. This immersive weekend field course introduces participants to the identification, ecology, natural history, and conservation of birds that rely on the desert's rare oases and wetlands as vital stopover habitats.

Through guided birding walks, field observation, and discussions of conservation issues, students gain a deeper understanding of the ecological importance of desert oases and the remarkable adaptations that enable wildlife to thrive in arid environments. Along the way, participants may also encounter desert mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife.

Whether you are a beginner interested in learning bird identification, an experienced birder hoping to add species to your life list, a teacher seeking continuing education opportunities, or simply someone who enjoys exploring the natural world, this course offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and biodiversity of the Eastern Mojave Desert.

More details to come.

What courses have we offered?

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.

New course date coming soon.

Note: Watch Dr. Stratis Karantanellis' interview as he discussed the inspiration behind the course, technical and interpersonal skills students will gain.

How do I register for a CSU Desert Studies Center course?

Registration is officially closed. We have reached our maximum capacity at this time and appreciate your interest in our program. Please sign up below to receive information on upcoming courses.

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

Campus Affiliates

How do I get more information on the CSU Desert Studies Center?

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