Fall 2023 Transfer Major-Specific Degree Requirements - College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM)

These criteria will be used for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 transfer admission consideration only.
Admission criteria are subject to change for future admission cycles. See ASSIST to determine the courses offered at California institutions which will satisfy the specific course requirements.

Admission to all majors at CSULB is competitive because CSULB continues to have more qualified applicants than available new student spaces. All transfer students must declare a major when submitting their application. Review Transfer Application and Admissions eligibility for details. To review the detailed major-specific degree requirements select the major below. If a major is highly impacted, it will be noted next to the name of the major and additional supplemental criteria and requirements are indicated in the major-specific details.


Admission Consideration

 

  • Except for highly impacted majors, CSU eligible applicants who are considered local based on their high school of graduation or their military veteran status will be offered admission if they meet the major-specific minimum cumulative GPA and required lower-division preparation.
  • For local applicants who apply to a highly impacted major, their cumulative grade point average (GPA) will be increased by 0.1 during the admissions process. This calculated GPA will be applied to the competitive ranking and departmental review for admissibility to a highly impacted program.
  • Other CSU-eligible applicants who have met the major-specific minimum cumulative GPA and the minimum required lower-division preparation will be admitted on a space available basis based on their cumulative GPA and the additional preparation courses completed if specified in the criteria.
  • If space is available after all students meeting the minimum major GPA and preparation have been accommodated, then CSU-eligible students without the minimum major preparation may be considered.
  • Students admitted to the major who have not completed the additional recommended transfer requirements or the additional CSULB requirements must complete them during their first year at CSULB.

Note:

For spring term admission, coursework and unit minimums must be completed no later than the prior summer term.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) curriculum is used in lieu of the major-specific degree requirements. We strongly encourage students to complete both the recommended and required courses because CSULB remains highly competitive in our admissions process. Under current CSU guidelines, the cumulative GPA will be increased by 0.1 and this calculated GPA will be applied in the ranking of applicants. Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) for a complete list of requirements and additional information on how the ADT will be used in the competitive ranking process.

 


Requirements by Major

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
CHEM 111B General Chemistry
MATH 119A, 122 Survey of Calculus I or
Calculus I
BIOL 211 Introduction to Evolution and Diversity

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Recommended Courses for Transfer Applicants Only
Additional Recommended Preparation Courses for Transfer Applicants Only (Grade of "C" of better) Course Number Course Title
BIOL 212 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 213 Introduction to Ecology and Physiology (General Biology sequence)
CHEM 220A Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 223A Organic Chemistry  Laboratory I
CHEM 220B Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223B Organic Chemistry  Laboratory II

Explore:

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
CHEM 111B General Chemistry
MATH 119A,122 Survey of Calculus I; or Calculus I
BIOL 211 Introduction to Evolution and Diversity

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Recommended Courses for Transfer Applicants Only
Additional Recommended Preparation Courses for Transfer Applicants Only (Grade of "C" of better) Course Number Course Title
BIOL 212 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 213 Introduction to Ecology and Physiology (General Biology sequence)

Explore:

 The Biological Sciences Department for more information on this major.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)

The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.25:

Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
CHEM 111B General Chemistry
MATH 122 and 123 or 119A and 119B Calculus I and Calculus II or Survey of Calculus I and Survey of Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking

Explore:

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
CHEM 111B General Chemistry
MATH 119A,122 Survey of Calculus I; or Calculus I
BIOL 211 Introduction to Evolution and Diversity

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Recommended Courses for Transfer Applicants Only
Additional Recommended Preparation Courses for Transfer Applicants Only (Grade of "C" of better) Course Number Course Title
BIOL 212 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
CHEM 220A Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 223A Organic Chemistry  Laboratory I
CHEM 220B Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223B Organic Chemistry  Laboratory II

Explore:

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)

The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.25:

Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
CHEM 111B General Chemistry
MATH 122 Calculus I
MATH 123 Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking

Explore:

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 Course Number Course Title
GEOL 102 General Geology
GEOL 104 General Laboratory
Complete three of the following four courses:    
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
CHEM 111B General Chemistry
MATH 122 Calculus I
MATH 123 Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking

Explore:

 The Geological Sciences Department for more information on this major.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 Course Number Course Title
GEOL 102 General Geology
GEOL 104 General Laboratory
CHEM 111A General Chemistry
MATH 122 Calculus I
MATH 123 Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking

Explore:

 The Geological Sciences Department for more information on this major.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.5
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)

The following suite of major preparation courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5:

Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses: Course Number Course Title
MATH 122 Calculus I
MATH 123 Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking

Explore:

 The Mathematics and Statistics Department for more information on this major.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.25
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
MATH 122 Calculus I

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Recommended Courses for Transfer Applicants Only
Additional Recommended Preparation Courses for Transfer Applicants Only (Grade of "C" of better) Course Number Course Title
MATH 123 Calculus II
PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat
PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism

Explore:

 The Physics and Astronomy Department for more information on this major.

To be considered for admission to the major, applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.25
  • Minimum lower-division preparation (grade of C or better required)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses Course Number Course Title
MATH 122 Calculus I
MATH 123 Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Recommended Courses for Transfer Applicants Only
Additional Recommended Preparation Courses for Transfer Applicants Only (Grade of "C" of better) Course Number Course Title
PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat
PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism

Explore:

 The Physics and Astronomy Department for more information on this major.