Summer Series Webinars

Students asked the following questions during the webinar.

Does AP Stats count?

AP Stats does not count towards math/science major requirements but AP Stats is transferable (equivalent to STAT 108 at CSULB), hence you should report the score, the course will count towards 120 units of baccalaureate degree (regardless of the major).

If I took a regular precalculus class in high school, do I need to take another pre-calculus class?

You need to take ALEKS PPL placement, if you score 80+ you will take calculus 1, if you score 60+ or if you are designated as "ready to take a GE B4 Math Quantitative Reasoning (QR) course at CSULB" you will take appropriate pre-calculus course(s), more details available at Math Placement STEM - CSULB Admissions.

How many times can I take ALEKS Math placement?

There are 4 assessments, you need a score of 80 on any of them to place in calc 1, after you complete the assessment you will have opportunity to practice concepts that you have not yet mastered, etc.

What kind of math can I expect in the ALEKS PPL Mathematics Assessment?

In general, algebra II and pre-calculus material. See ALEKS Mathematics Placement for deadlines.

Does EAP Math Exemption count?

EAP Math Exemption makes you eligible for pre-calculus course (MATH 111 and MATH 113), for details please consult Math Placement STEM - CSULB Admissions.

EAP Math Scaled Component count?

The EAP result is built into general placement scheme. For more information please see Placement & Other Tests - CSU.

How long does a semester last?

There are 16 weeks in semester; and 2 semesters in an academic year.

What if you didn't take pre-calculus or calculus in high school?

You will start in MATH 112A (most likely) or MATH 113.

If your major requires you to complete Calculus in your first year, but you don't place high enough on the ALEKS what does that mean for my major?

The Advising Center will review your academic progress after the 1st and 2nd semester and will grant an exception if you do well in your classes. If you place in MATH 112A but your degree requires calculus, it is very important that you master MATH 112A and MATH 112B thoroughly.

If a bio major doesn't score very high in the ALEKS assessment, would having taken a general pre-calc course affect their math placement?

If you took a pre-calculus course in high school, it doesn't mean you automatically qualify for calculus. Instead, your starting math class is based on assessments received- SAT/ACT scores, AP calculus scores, ALEKS scores, etc.

How do I take the CHEM ALEKS placement?

Information about CHEM ALEKS and additional placement resources in chemistry will be emailed by June 2, 2023.

If you passed AP Chemistry, do you have to take the Chem ALEKS?

If you have received a score of 2 or higher on AP Chemistry Exam you don't need to take CHEM ALEKS.

If you taken chemistry in High School do I have to do chemistry placement?

If you place in calculus I or higher at CSULB and you have received grade of A or B in year-long high school chemistry class you would be eligible for CHEM 111A. If you place in pre-calculus class (MATH 113) you would still need CHEM ALEKS score.

Is the SOAR course registration you mentioned earlier only for math courses or all?

All students are required to attend SOAR.

Do the 4 modules change or stay the same if you don't pass the previous one?

ALEKS is based on adaptive technology; the modules adjust based on your assessments, for details please consult ALEKS PPL.

I'm a math major. Do I need to take a chemistry class?

No, Chemistry is not a required course for math or physics majors (with the exception of material science option) so there is no need to do ALEKS Chemistry.

Students asked the following questions during the webinar.

General Advising/Registration Questions

When can first-time first-year students start registering for their classes?

The first registration date that is offered for CNSM students is July 26, which corresponds with the SOAR Orientation Workshop that is scheduled for July 31. Registration for CNSM students will take place between July 26 and August 9 depending on the date you signed up for.

Where can I access the CNSM Academic Advising Course? Is the course required?

Log in to your Single-Sign On by going to sso.csulb.edu and entering your email and password, then click on the Canvas tile. In Canvas, click on "Courses" along the left panel and click on the course titled "SOAR Advising – CNSM First-Time First-Year – Fall 2023." Completing the course will help you learn more about how to register for classes, so we highly recommend completing the course as soon as possible.

Are students required to attend all online zoom webinars?

No, the webinars are optional, but hopefully you will find them helpful!

I'm admitted to the University Honors Program. How does this work with CNSM Advising and Registration? Who will advise me on classes for my major and for the honors program?

On your registration date, CNSM Advising will assist you with registering for your classes including courses you are assigned for the honors program. Usually, the assigned honors course is a General Education (GE) course that is reserved just for honors students.

What day is the first day of school?

The first day of Fall 2023 classes is on Tuesday, August 22.

Are the 30-minute time slots for registration available in July?

Yes, all first-time first-year students will receive an email about 2 weeks prior to their registration date with a link to book a 30-minute appointment. The appointment will take place on your specific registration date and is meant to be a support for you as you enroll in your first semester courses.

If we have our advising date, where can we find our time?

Holds will be lifted starting at 9:00am on your specific registration date, so, you can begin enrolling as early as 9:00am. If you have signed up for an advising appointment, you do not have to wait until your appointment to enroll in your courses. We recommend you try to enroll before your appointment so if there are any issues, we can work them out together and maximize time.

Does having holds on my record affect my ability to place courses into my shopping cart?

No, holds will not prevent you from putting courses in your shopping cart; they will only prevent you from enrolling in classes. Your holds will be lifted at 9AM on your registration date so that you can enroll in your classes and the holds will come back on around 10:00pm that same day.

Should students try adding courses on their own before their advising appointment?

Yes! We recommend that you try adding the recommended courses on your own so that we can maximize time during your advising appointment. Completing the SOAR and Advising Online Course on Canvas will help you learn how to register for classes so that you don't have to wait for an advisor or peer mentor to enroll on your registration date. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the system early so that you are ready on your registration day.

Where is the shopping cart where we can select classes?

The enrollment shopping cart is available via your MyCSULB Student Center. Log in to your Single Sign-On by going to sso.csulb.edu and entering your email and password, then click on the MyCSULB Student Center tile. On the home page of Student Center, you will see 'shopping cart' as an option on the left side; clicking the link will take you to your shopping cart. You can find more information on using Student Center on Using Academics.

Is it better to sign up for registration sooner than later?

Having an earlier registration date means having more General Education course options, but all students can get a full schedule regardless of their registration date. Students who signed up for later SOAR/Registration dates will need to be more flexible with their schedule.

Do I have to make a payment to enroll in classes?

You do not have to make a payment before you enroll in courses. After you enroll, you will see after a couple of hours that the amount you own on Student Center will be updated in the 'Finances' section. If you receive Financial Aid, typically, you do not need to take action or make any payments until financial aid is disbursed (scheduled for August 12). If you do not receive financial aid, tuition is by August 9. Please visit Tuition and Fees and Key Dates and Deadlines for more information.

What do I do if we have not received my AP exam scores yet?

If you haven't received your AP scores, be sure to indicate on the CNSM Incoming First-Time First-Year Survey that your score is "In Progress" so that advisors know you took the exam and that you potentially have incoming credit. This will help us place you in the appropriate courses. For example, if you have pending AP test credit for AP English Literature or Language, advisors will avoid recommending that you take an English course your first semester because you may have credit for it.

Are we able to reschedule our advising and registration date?

It may be possible to reschedule your advising and registration date, however, you will also have to change your SOAR date since they are linked. To request the change, please email your inquiry to soar@csulb.edu and be sure to provide your name and student ID number.

After I receive my recommendations, can I add the courses to my shopping cart?

Yes! We will email your course recommendations to you prior to your registration date so you can add the courses to your shopping cart. Look for course recommendations in your email inbox between July 6 and July 25.

Will all the college courses I have taken be asked for in the placement survey?

Yes, there is a section in the survey which asks you to record your transfer credit. Please be sure to provide all course names and numbers so we are able to review your credit and provide accurate recommendations.

SOAR Questions

How do you check your SOAR date if you already scheduled it?

If you know your registration date, you can check your SOAR date on our Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming First-Time, First-Year Students. If you do not know your registration date or your SOAR date, please contact SOAR to confirm which date you signed up for ASAP. You may reach them at soar@csulb.edu or contact them via phone at 562.985.5515.

Will SOAR take place at the same place for everyone?

Yes, SOAR is an orientation workshop that is held in-person on the CSULB campus. The experience is the same for all students, however, dates will vary based on major and when you sign up.

I registered for SOAR, however, on my account I have two holds: one for SOAR and another for advising. Once I go to SOAR will the holds be removed?

The SOAR hold will be lifted after you complete your orientation requirement. The academic advising hold will be lifted at 9:00am on the day of your registration and will be placed back on your account at 10:00pm on the same day. The advising hold will stay on your record through your first semester until you complete the Mandatory First-Year Advising requirement. The advising hold is nothing to worry about, however, if you're having any trouble with your schedule during the first two weeks of the semester, please contact your advisor or attend Drop-In Advising as soon as possible.

Placement Questions

How do you know if you to take the Chemistry placement?

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.

If we did get a score of 80+ on the ALEKS placement, would it be automatic for our recommended courses?

An 80 or higher on an ALEKS MATH assessment means you are ready for a calculus 1 class.

How do we know we have qualified for CHEM 111A?

We recommend checking out Chemistry Placement. Additional information can found by listening to our placement webinar.

For the Chemistry Placement, do incoming first-year students get to take the ALEKS for free?

ALEKS Math Placement is free and is available on your Single Sign-On. ALEKS Chemistry Placement costs $25; however, many students will not need to take ALEKS Chemistry Placement as they may already qualify for CHEM 111A based their mathematics placement. Please note that ALEKS Chemistry Placement is not needed for Math and Physics majors.

I'm majoring in Pre-Chemistry and I didn't get an email for the ALEKS chemistry placement, should I be taking the placement?

It depends on many factors. We covered this information in a past webinar. You can find this webinar in Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming First-Time, First-Year Students. You can also look at Chemistry Placement.

I recently took the ALEKS placement. I saw there were 4 assessments. Is taking all four required or are they there for you to take just to try again?

If you scored 80 or higher you can stop. If not, we recommend you keep taking the next assessment.

For those majoring in STEM, is there a chemistry placement we need to take? If so, where do we take it?

It depends on many factors. We covered this information in a past webinar. You can find this webinar in Summer SOAR Guidance for Incoming First-Time, First-Year Students.

Students asked the following questions during the webinar.

How do I sign up for Science and Math Beach XP?

An interest form is available. Fill out the interest form on the Science and Math Beach XP website to receive emails about eligibility and placement.

Is chemistry needed for marine biology?

Yes, General chemistry sequence [1 year] and 1-semester organic chemistry are needed for Marine Biology majors.

Is math AP credit considered at all, or is ALEKS math placement the sole determining factor in regards to which math class we’ll be placed in?

AP credit is considered independently from ALEKS, check Math Placement for details.

I scored 86 on the ALEKS MATH; is there a CNSM XP group?

You qualify for Calculus 1 (MATH 119A or MATH 122 depending on major). You might qualify for Beach XP 3 if your chemistry placement is CHEM 102.

Where do I find the chemistry placement?

Please see: Chemistry Placement.

I'm a math major; do I need a chem class?

The math majors do not require Chemistry.

Is there an XP group for math majors only?

It might not be specifically only for math majors. It is dependent on your ALEKS math placement, if you place into math 112A or math 113, you will be eligible to participate in the Beach XP program. However, all learning communities will only have students that are in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics which allows you to make connections in your college.

If I am a Biochemistry major, would I need to take both Math and Chem assessments?

A lot of it has to do with placement. We encourage all students to do the assessments, Chem and Math ALEKS, if you are in the science majors you would do both and for math majors just do the math. Please look at Chemistry Placement and Math Placement and the webinars (this webpage) to get more information.

We recommend taking ALEKS assessments, regardless of the placement, because it's a good way for you to test your knowledge. It is important to take them because it'll help you identify areas that you might not know and thus prompt you to work on those areas. Our courses are very rigorous and go fast, therefore the expectation is that you have a solid background in the material.

And for that reason, Beach XP communities are so important. When we say build community, we're talking about getting to know people, students in majors in your college. You will all go through classes together and it helps with the transition. You all lean on each other, you all cry together when it's hard, and you build a bond that is invaluable. We really care about your transition therefore Beach XP is a great opportunity. It's free!

Does enrolling in classes occur after the SOAR day? does this mean that there is no need to choose any courses at the moment and we have to wait until late July?

Yes, you will enroll at your registration date, but it is 1-2 days before SOAR day. There is no need to worry about adding your courses now as you will receive your course recommendations before your July/August registration date. Also, we have seats reserved for First Time First Year incoming students, so you will get your courses needed. All we ask is that you remain flexible with your days and times.

I was accepted to the University Honors Program and I'm looking at the Beach XP program. What are your thoughts?

Students that are in the University Honors Program will always be placed in one honors course their first semester. Please refer to the University Honors Program website, you can contact their Advising office directly, once you get your recommendations from CNSM.

How long is the math and chem placement?

Please look at the math placement website here where it gives detailed information on what the assessment looks like. How long is it between assessments and the preparation you need. Also check the webinar where you're going to find really detailed information on that.

Is it still time to take math placement?

Yes, you can take the ALEKS Math Placement until June 30.

Students asked the following questions during the webinar.

How many units are considered full time?

12 units.

Was it required to send our AP scores even though we didn’t score a 3 or higher?

We sometimes take a score of 2 for certain courses, for example Math and Chemistry.

My circumstances have changed. Can I submit another Survey?

Yes, here is the link to the survey CNSM Incoming First-Time First-Year Survey. Be sure to send us a message at CNSM-Advising@csulb.edu letting us know you updated.

I got a 4 on the AP calculus test but Calculus 1 showed up on my course recommendations. Is that the class that I was supposed to receive?

Recommend you send us an email at cnsm-advising@csulb.edu along with proof of your AP Calc AB score so we can update your course recommendation. Be sure to add you student ID to the email.

I’m admitted to the University Honors Program. How does this workout with the CNSM Advising & Registration? Who will advise me on classes CNSM or Honors advisement?

We will advise you on your courses including Honors.

Should I and can I, take two Honor classes in my first Fall semester (Math 122 & COMM 130)?

No just one course is required. For more information contact University Honors.

My AP courses have been accounted for, however, the college courses I take in high school have NOT been accounted for, why?

Please email CNSM-Advising@csulb.edu about your transferred courses.

Reserved Seats is making my selection very difficult to pick classes, is it possible to take a Reserved Seat class?

No you cannot add a course that is reserved for a specific program

Why does it say Math 122 and Math 122 Activity? Are they the same class?

No they are 2 courses, activity is more of a discussion.

When we receive notification of our required classes will it also have recommendations for GE or is that up to us?

Yes it will have a suggested GE Category.

How is that the CHEM 111A Labs are gone, if no one has been able to register for fall yet?

Please do not worry, as the Chemistry department will ensure that all students ready for CHEM 111A are able to take in the fall semester.

When do we get the course recommendation list?

We are working on them as we speak. You will get them before Registration.

Will we have to pay for parking for SOAR orientation?

Go here for more info: CSULB SOAR