Fall 2024 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 .

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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH119A or 122Survey 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 Students
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for Students (Grade of "C" or better)Course NumberCourse Title
BIO211Introduction 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH119A or 122Survey 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 Students 
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for Students (Grade of "C" or better)Course NumberCourse Title
BIO211Introduction 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
CHEM111AGeneral Chemistry
CHEM111BGeneral Chemistry
MATH119A or 122Survey 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 Students 
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for Students (Grade of "C" or better)Course NumberCourse Title
BIO211Introduction to Evolution & Diversity

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 2.25Course NumberCourse Title
CHEM

111A and
111B 

OR

112A and
112B

General Chemistry 

OR

Advanced General Chemistry

MATH122 and 123Calculus I and 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 2.25Course 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:

 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 2.5Course 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.

(All Options)

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 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 Lower Division Preparation Required for Students
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for Students (Grade of "C" or better)Course NumberCourse Title
PHYS151Mechanics 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 CoursesCourse NumberCourse Title
MATH122Calculus I
MATH123Calculus II

Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses:

  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Critical Thinking
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for Students
Additional Lower Division Preparation Required for Students (Grade of "C" or better)Course NumberCourse Title
PHYS151Mechanics and Heat

Explore:

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