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

While first-year students may be admitted directly into some majors, many majors require that students begin as “pre-majors” and then meet precise major-specific degree criteria to official declare the major. These criteria include meeting all major-specific degree requirements in the new major and demonstrating a progressively successful academic history that reflects potential success in the major. Upon declaration of major, students must adopt the requirements of the major and any minors in effect at that time in the CSULB Catalog.

All undergraduate students must have a declared major by the time they earn 60 units. This applies equally to students who are:

Browse the following list to find the current major-specific degree requirements for your intended major. Some majors are highly impacted and will be indicated as such. Major-specific degree requirements are subject to change in future terms.

 

(All Options Except Biology Education)

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 or 122 Survey of Calculus I; or
Calculus I

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students (Grade of "C" or better) Course Number Course Title
BIO 211 Introduction to Evolution & Diversity

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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 or 122 Survey of Calculus I; or Calculus I

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students 
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students (Grade of "C" or better) Course Number Course Title
BIO 211 Introduction to Evolution & Diversity

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

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students 
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students (Grade of "C" or better) Course Number Course Title
BIO 211 Introduction to Evolution & Diversity

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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 2.25 Course Number Course Title
CHEM

CHEM
111A and
111B or 112A and
112B
General Chemistry Advanced General Chemistry
MATH

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:

 The Chemistry and Biochemistry 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 2.25 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:

 The Chemistry and Biochemistry 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
ERTH 102 Planet Earth
ERTH 104 Planet Earth Lab
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
ERTH 102 Planet Earth
ERTH 104 Planet Earth Lab
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)
Major Preparation Courses
Major Preparation Courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5  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 Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students (Grade of "C" or better) Course Number Course Title
PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat

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 Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for CSULB Students (Grade of "C" or better) Course Number Course Title
PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat

Explore:

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