Winter SOAR Guidance for Incoming Transfer Students
Info for Incoming Spring 2024 Science and Math Transfer Students
Welcome to California State University, Long Beach and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM)! We are excited to help you achieve a smooth and successful start to your college career at CSULB.
Please note: the following information is for incoming transfer students who are majoring in science or math. Incoming transfer students from other majors can find their college's advising resources on SOAR's Advising and Registration.
SOAR Experience Overview
The SOAR Experience consists of two processes:
- Orientation Process led by Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR).
- Advising and Registration Process led by the CNSM Academic Advising Team (and outlined on this page).
Dates for CNSM Transfer Students
Advising for CNSM transfer students will happen prior to your Orientation and Registration days.
Advising Date | Faculty Advisor will contact you in early December to schedule appointment |
---|---|
Spring Registration | December 18, or after meeting with Faculty Advisor |
Orientation Date | January 8 or January 11 |
Steps to Start Your Journey
- Check your BeachMail and personal email accounts on a regular basis for directions and announcements. See: How to Check BeachMail.
- Make a reservation for your On-Campus Orientation Workshop by December 1.
- Complete the Advising and Registration Process. You will receive an email in early December to sign up for an advising appointment where you will discuss your spring courses and have your advising hold removed.
- Fulfill your Orientation Process. Learn more about this step by visiting SOAR Orientation.
Over the winter, you will need to meet with your faculty advisor to discuss your transfer credit and receive your spring course recommendation. You will also need to complete the SOAR and Advising Online Course.
Please read the following information about preparing for your first semester:
The faculty advisor for your major will contact you to schedule an advising appointment based on the advisor's availability during the winter.
-
Biology (last name A-G)
Dr. Kay Lee-Fruman
Kay.Lee-Fruman@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 -
Biology (last name H-M)
Dr. Amanda Fisher
Amanda.Fisher@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-7, December 11-12 -
Biology (last name N-Z)
Dr. Ashley Carter
Ashley.Carter@csulb.edu
Availability: December 12, 9:00am-11:30am; December 13, 9:00am-11:20am; December 14 12:30pm-2:00pm -
Biology Education
Dr. Amanda Fisher
Amanda.Fisher@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-7, December 11-12 -
Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology (last name A-G)
Dr. Deborah Fraser
Deborah.Fraser@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 -
Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology (last name H-Z)
Dr. Douglas Pace
Douglas.Pace@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 -
Zoology, Botany, and Ecology
Dr. Bruno Pernet
Bruno.Pernet@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5, 7, 12, 13 -
Marine Biology
Dr. Bruno Pernet
Bruno.Pernet@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5, 7, 12, 13 -
Microbiology
Dr. Deborah Fraser
Deborah.Fraser@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 -
Biochemistry, Chemistry
Dr. Jason Schwans
ugrad-biochem.advising@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 -
Biochemistry
Dr. Paul Buonora
ugrad-chem.advising@csulb.edu
Availability: December 11 (afternoon), December 12-14 (morning and afternoon) -
Geology, Earth Science
Dr. Nate Onderdonk
Nate.Onderdonk@csulb.edu -
Applied Math
Dr. Melvin Lax
Melvin.Lax@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 (email to arrange meeting) -
Math, Math Education
Dr. Jeffrey Pair
Jeffrey.Pair@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5-15 -
Applied Statistics
Dr. Olga Korosteleva
Olga.Korosteleva@csulb.edu -
Physics
Dr. Thomas Gredig
Thomas.Gredig@csulb.edu
Availability: December 5, 4:00pm-5:00pm; December 7, 10:30am-1:00pm; December 11, 12:30pm-2:30pm; December 12, 4:00pm-5:00pm; December 14, 10:30am-1:00pm
All new students are required to complete the SOAR and Advising Online Course on Canvas, the learning management system for CSULB. Check your email for future announcements regarding the course.
Incoming transfer students are required to take the GWAR Placement Exam (GPE) in their first semester of enrollment. To sign up and learn more about the GPE, please visit Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
The following information may also be helpful:
If you are interested in changing your major, please see the instructions relevant to your situation.
Admitted to a non-CNSM Major and Interested in Declaring a CNSM Major
Admission to all majors in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is competitive as we continue to have more qualified applicants than available new student spaces. All transfer students must declare a major when submitting their admission application.
Given that transfer admission decisions are based on meeting applicable major-specific requirements, students admitted to one of the non-CNSM majors are normally not allowed to declare CNSM major during SOAR. In rare circumstances, petitions to change majors to CNSM could be considered if student meets ALL of the following conditions:
- Student qualifies by meeting all major-specific requirements in the new major.
- Student demonstrates a progressively successful academic history that, in the judgment of faculty major advisor, reflects potential success in the new major.
- The program currently has seats available to accommodate additional students.
Students interested in declaring CNSM major must contact the faculty major advisor for the intended major (see Faculty Advisor Contact Information above). The requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
More information for continuing CSULB students is available at Change of Major (Undergraduates).
Admitted to a CNSM Major and Interested in Declaring a non-CNSM Major
Students admitted to one of the CNSM majors but interested in declaring major in another college must inquire with the college of the intended major. Please be aware that major changes are allowed only if:
- Student qualifies by meeting all major-specific requirements in the new major.
- Student demonstrates a progressively successful academic history that reflects potential success in the new major
- The program currently has seats available to accommodate additional students.
Please be aware that requests are reviewed by the college of the potential new major, and the final decision is determined at the college-level associated with the requested new major.
Please see Undergraduate Advising Resources for contact information.
For Advising, please contact your faculty advisor directly.
For Orientation, contact SOAR immediately to reschedule for the next available workshop. Call 562.985.5515 or email soar@csulb.edu.
The Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) provides support to students with disabilities through accommodations and services, including but not limited to sign language interpreters, real-time captioners, assistive technology, and alternative media.
Complete the SOAR-BMAC Disability-Related Accommodations Form to request your needed accommodations/services. If you have additional questions, please visit the BMAC website, call 562.985.5401, or email BMAC@csulb.edu.
If you have previously accepted your offer of admission and have decided not to attend CSULB, please follow the Cancel Admission instructions.
Important Reminders
- Tuition and Fees Deadlines
- Immunization Requirements Deadlines
- Admissions
- Beach Central (Enrollment Services)
- Financial Aid
- ATS Help Desk (tech support for BeachBoard, BeachMail, and MyApps)
Questions?
Contact your faculty advisor, or the CNSM Academic Advising Center, CNSM-Advising@csulb.edu.