Chemistry Placement

This information is specifically for continuing CSULB students only.

Incoming students should refer to Chemistry Placement for Incoming First-Time, First-Year Students.

Students majoring in chemistry, biology, environmental science and policy (ESP), geology, materials science, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering, are required to complete general chemistry (CHEM 111A and 111B) as part of the chemistry sequence of classes needed for their degree. The following information explains how to be permitted to register for CHEM 111A.

Continuing CSULB Students

Continuing CSULB students are eligible to register for CHEM 111A once they meet one of the criteria listed below:

  1. Chemistry AP Exam scores 2 or 3.
  2. completed CHEM 140 with a grade of "C" or better or are currently enrolled in CHEM 140.
  3. successfully completed CHEM 102.
  4. eligible to repeat CHEM 111A.
  5. received a score of 24 or better on the CPT test prior to Spring 2021.
  6. successfully completed CHEM ALEKS online assessment (approvals from ALEKS will be updated weekly).
  7. earned a grade of "A" or "B" in chemistry or chemistry AP class in high school AND completed MATH 119A or higher with a grade of "C" or better; the calculus class may be taken concurrently.

If you meet one of the criteria to register for CHEM 111A, we recommend that you review the following key concepts before the semester starts.

Review of High School Chemistry Key Concepts

For students who anticipate being placed into CHEM 111A (e.g., from earning an "A" or "B" in their high school chemistry class and being placed in calculus 1 or higher), we strongly recommend that key concepts be reviewed before the start of the semester.

Here is a compilation of resources to review key chemistry concepts you will need to be successful in CHEM 111A. If you feel your understanding of many of these concepts is not strong even after reviewing the material, CHEM ALEKS can help you get better prepared for your first semester of college chemistry (see below).

CHEM ALEKS

CHEM ALEKS learning module is designed to evaluate individualized knowledge gaps and utilize computerized adaptive learning software to enhance your preparation in basic chemistry concepts. The learning module contains 78 topics, as follows:

  • Math and Physics (6 Topics)
  • Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving (28 Topics)
  • Atoms and Elements (13 Topics)
  • Molecules and Compounds (22 Topics)
  • Chemical Reactions and Chemical Quantities (6 Topics)
  • The Units of Measurement (3 Topics)

The learning module will take 4-40 hours to complete depending on your level of chemistry knowledge, you may spread this over multiple days/weeks.

You need to score 80% for unrestricted access to CHEM 111A. Please note that 80% means that you have "mastered" or "learned" 63 topics (out of 78 topics total). The learning module will also help you review for CHEM 111A and counts in place of the extra credit assignment in ALEKS which is given in CHEM 111A the week before classes start.

How to Sign Up for CHEM ALEKS

To complete the online learning module, go to ALEKS - Student Registration, enter the class code Y3YYE-QEFUY, and follow directions. You will need to purchase the ALEKS license, the cost is $30 for 6 weeks access.

How to Get Help

For technical help with the ALEKS learning module, please contact CHEM-ALEKS-Help@csulb.edu.

For questions about general chemistry course equivalency, please contact Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Advising.

For advising-related questions about chemistry placement, please contact your college's advising center:

FAQ

Yes.

We honor previous CHEM ALEKS scores so if you've achieved a minimum of 80% mastery you can enroll later according to your timeline.

Congratulations and thank you for your patience! The permits are requested at the start of every week. So, if you are not able to enroll within a week of finishing, feel free to write to us and we'll get back to you.

To enroll in CHEM 111A as a freshman, you need to have one of these requirements met:

  • AP Chemistry score 2 or 3
  • CHEM ALEKS score of 80% or higher
  • Calculus ready/done and High School Chemistry class grade A or B