Dictionary Entry:     LDR

Pronunciation:        'lE-d&r (as in lead·er)
Abbreviation for:    Lower Division Roadmap

Sample Usage:        Follow the LDR!

 

WELCOME TO THE LOWER DIVISION ROADMAPS (LDRs) WEBSITE

 

Your LDR will help you with academic planning for your first two years at Cal State San Marcos.

 

On the next four webpages, you will go through a brief interview in which you will be asked to provide information on your own academic proficiencies (your current "location") and the subject in which you want to major (your "destination"). The engine behind the interactive LDRs website will then search through an atlas of roadmaps to give you individualized semester-by-semester course plans (your "driving directions") for your first two years of study. The courses in your roadmap will satisfy lower-division general education requirements, other university requirements, and the specific requirements of your chosen major, and these courses are sequenced according to any necessary prerequisites. Following your LDR will ensure your being well-prepared for the rigorous upper-division course work required by your major.

 

Your individualized roadmap is based on a full-time schedule that will facilitate graduation in, as close as possible, four years, but there is also information on how to "slow down" your roadmap if you are a part-time student. In case you are still undecided about your major, we have included a one-year roadmap to help you get started; just choose “Undeclared” when asked for your major on the next page.

 

 

CREATING YOUR ROADMAP

 

Clicking on the begin button at the bottom of this page will start the process. In order to find the roadmap in the atlas that is just right for you, you will need to answer a few questions. You will be asked to designate your entry year and intended major, and your level of proficiency in three key areas: English, Mathematics, and a Language Other Than English. You must answer all questions in order to produce a roadmap. Details about how to answer each question are provided.

 

 

WHICH MAJORS HAVE LDRs?

 

All majors are currently being updated for 2009-10.

The following majors already have roadmaps posted for 2009-10: Applied Physics (JUST POSTED!), Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Business Administration, Communication, Computer Science, Criminology and Justice Studies, Economics, History, Human Development, Literature and Writing Studies, Mass Media, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and "Undeclared."

 

Additional majors for which prior-year roadmaps are available are: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Visual and Performing Arts, and Women's Studies. Most of the changes being made in roadmaps for 2009-10 will apply to students who have an ELM exam score below 30; all other students can continue to use roadmaps from earlier years if a set of 2009-10 roadmaps is not yet available.

 

 

WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR CHOICE OF MAJOR OR YOUR PROFICIENCY LEVELS?

 

You can still use the LDRs website to explore different scenarios – for example, to compare the first two years of two different majors, or to understand the difference between different levels of preparation in mathematics or a language other than English. Even if you have no idea what subject you want to choose as your major, you can get a general roadmap by choosing "Undeclared" when you are asked for your major.

 

 

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ACADEMIC ADVISING

 

It is important to note that although your individualized roadmap represents the best advice from the faculty in your major department and the Office of First Year Programs on how to build a solid foundation for academic success, it is only a suggested academic plan and it does not replace meetings you should have with undergraduate advisors and faculty advisors in your major.  Using your roadmap as a guide, your advisors will help you select courses each semester and develop a long-term academic plan that meets your unique needs.

 

If you are having trouble viewing any information contained in this site please contact the Academic Programs office at 760-750-8884.