Fall 2024 Transfer Major-Specific Degree Requirements - College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM)

These criteria will be used for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH119A, 122Survey of Calculus I or
Calculus I
BIOL211Introduction 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 NumberCourse Title
BIOL212Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL213Introduction to Ecology and Physiology (General Biology sequence)
CHEM220AOrganic Chemistry I
CHEM223AOrganic Chemistry  Laboratory I
CHEM220BOrganic Chemistry II
CHEM223BOrganic 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH119A,122Survey of Calculus I; or Calculus I
BIOL211Introduction 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 NumberCourse Title
BIOL212Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL213Introduction 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH122 and 123 or 119A and 119BCalculus 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH119A,122Survey of Calculus I; or Calculus I
BIOL211Introduction 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 NumberCourse Title
BIOL212Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
CHEM220AOrganic Chemistry I
CHEM223AOrganic Chemistry  Laboratory I
CHEM220BOrganic Chemistry II
CHEM223BOrganic 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH122Calculus I
MATH123Calculus 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 2.5Course NumberCourse Title
ERTH102Planet Earth
ERTH104Planet Earth Lab
Complete three of the following four courses:  
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH122Calculus I
MATH123Calculus 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 2.5Course NumberCourse Title
ERTH102Planet Earth
ERTH104Planet Earth Lab
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
MATH122Calculus I
MATH123Calculus 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 NumberCourse Title
MATH122Calculus I
MATH123Calculus 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
MATH122Calculus 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 NumberCourse Title
MATH123Calculus II
PHYS151Mechanics and Heat
PHYS152Electricity 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
MATH122Calculus I
MATH123Calculus 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 NumberCourse Title
PHYS151Mechanics and Heat
PHYS152Electricity and Magnetism

Explore:

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