Declaring a Pre-Major

This information is for pre-major and undeclared undergraduate students intending to declare CNSM pre-major. For information about changing your major, declaring a second major, or declaring a minor or certificate, see Change of Major (Undergraduates).

If you are a pre-major in CNSM and would like to switch out to another college, please contact that college's advising center.

At the time of admission to the university, each undergraduate student is assigned to a pre-major or major or is designated as an undeclared major. All undergraduate students must have a declared major by the time they earn 60 units.

How to Switch Your Pre-Major

First-time freshmen (FTF) admitted as undeclared (UNDCL) or admitted to a different college may switch their pre-major to one of the pre-majors offered in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM).

FFT Major Switching Criteria

Major	During the 1st Semester	During the 2nd Semester	During the 3rd Semester
Applicable to all departments	enrollment in MATH 119A or MATH 122, or credit in MATH 122	2.5 GPA in STEM MSR suite	2.5 GPA in STEM MSR suite
Biology (all options)	enrollment in CHEM 111A or above	enrollment in CHEM 111A or above enrollment in MATH 119A or above	credit in MATH 119A or above enrollment in CHEM 111B
Chemistry (all options)	enrollment in CHEM 111A or above	enrollment in CHEM 111A or above enrollment or credit in MATH 122	grade of "B" in CHEM 111A or above, enrollment in CHEM 111B credit in MATH 122 or above, enrollment in MATH 123, or enrollment or credit in MATH 224
Earth Science/ Geology B.S.	enrollment in CHEM 111A or above	enrollment or credit in CHEM 111A or above enrollment or credit in MATH 122 enrollment in GEOL 102/4	enrollment or credit in CHEM 111B credit in MATH 122 or above, enrollment in MATH 123 or credit in MATH 123
Mathematics B.S. (all options)	enrollment in MATH 122 or above	enrollment in MATH 123 or above	credit in MATH 122 and 123
Physics (all options)	enrollment in MATH 122 or above	credit in MATH 122 or above	credit in MATH 123 or above enrollment in PHYS 151

NOTE: All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better; must have a GPA >2.5; as an advising guideline, we recommend that most MSRs be completed with a "B" or better. While the grade of "C" is acceptable in each course, students earning B's or better have a significantly higher chance of success in upper division science and mathematics courses.

If you meet the pre-major declaration criteria outlined above and wish to switch your pre-major to CNSM please email CNSM-Advising@csulb.edu and include the following information:

1. your name
2. student ID
3. current pre-major
4. intended new pre-major

One out the CNSM Pre-Major Advisors will respond to your request within 72 hours.

If you do not meet pre-major declaration criteria outlined above please schedule an in-person appointment with an academic advisor assigned to your intended new pre-major who will discuss potential solutions customized to your academic situation and academic goals. See the Appointment Guide for how to schedule an appointment.