Mathematics and Writing Requirements

Four Steps to Graduation. . .

To assure that your mathematics and writing skills are adequate for success in college and in the career you eventually pursue, the following is required of all undergraduates. If you have questions, please inquire in the Academic Advising Office, SSC 120, or the Testing Office, SSC 420.

Step 1. Take the ELM and the EPT

Unless you are exempt, you are

    required
to take the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test and the English Placement Test (EPT) before your first semester at CSU, Chico.

IMPORTANT: If you do not take the tests before your first semester, you will not be allowed to take any courses at the University. If you think you are exempt, please check The Guide to Mathematics and Writing Requirements, which follows this section, or consult the Advising Office.

If you do not pass the ELM, you are required to enroll in remedial math course work your first semester. If you do not pass the EPT, you are required to enroll in remedial English course work either your first or second semester. You must successfully complete all remedial course requirements by the end of your second semester in order to be eligible to enroll at CSU, Chico in subsequent semesters.

Step 2. Enroll in a Math course

Important: Your ELM score will determine the math course for which you are eligible.

If you scored 50 or above on the ELM, you passed the ELM and can enroll in a General Education math course. When you pass GE math with a C- or better, you will have met the math requirement for graduation.

If you scored below 50 on the ELM, you must enroll in a remedial math course during your first semester at CSU, Chico. The course in which you are placed will be determined by your ELM score. You must complete all required remedial math course work through Intermediate Algebra by the end of your second semester.

Important Things To Know About

  • MATH:
    • Intensive Beginning Algebra
    4.0 units
  • MATH:
    • Intensive Intermediate Algebra
    4.0 units
  • MATH:
    • Beginning Algebra
    4.0 units
  • MATH:
    • Accelerated Intermediate Algebra
    4.0 units
  • MATH:
    • Intermediate Algebra
    3.0 units

    These are non-baccalaureate courses and are therefore not figured into your GPA or units completed. They do, however, count for financial aid credit.

    Step 3. Enroll in English 130

    Unless you are exempt, you are required to take ENGL 130: Freshman Composition for three units. If you think you are exempt, please check The Guide to Mathematics and Writing Requirements, which follows this section, or consult the Academic Advising Office.

    Important: If your EPT score is 143 or below, you are required to enroll in ENGL 130 during your first or second semester, and you are also required to enroll in ENGL 030: Writing Workshop, a one-unit remedial course, where you will get supplemental help with your writing skills.

    Important Things To Know About

  • ENGL:
    • Freshman Composition
    3.0 units
  • ENGL:
    • Writing Workshop
    1.0 unit

    ENGL 130: Freshman Composition fulfills a General Education requirement and is graded A-F. It may be repeated as often as needed to pass. A grade of C- or better is required. All students take this course unless exempt. See The Guide to Mathematics and Writing Requirements that follows for a complete list of exemptions.

    ENGL 030: Writing Workshop is

      required
    concurrently with ENGL 130 for students who score 143 and below on the EPT (English Placement Test). It is graded Credit/No Credit and may be repeated as often as needed. It is non-baccalaureate and is therefore not figured in your GPA or units completed. It does, however, count for financial aid credit.

    Step 4. Take and pass the Writing Proficiency (WP) course in your major

    You are required to take and pass the WP course in your major with a grade of C- or better in order to graduate, so it is important to talk with your advisor every semester and plan your schedule carefully.

    You will not be allowed to enroll in the WP course until you have passed ENGL 130, Freshman Composition (or its equivalent on another campus), with a grade of C- or better. Faculty teaching WP courses will not allow you to sit in, audit, or enroll later in the semester.

    If you are not sure what the WP course in your major is or when it is offered, see your advisor immediately. Some departments change their WP course from time to time, and your WP requirement is determined by the semester in which you take the course, not by catalog rights.

    How To Meet The Math Requirement All Students Must Take the ELM (unless exempt) before enrolling at CSU, Chico êIf you scored50or higherêEnroll in and PassGE Math(C- or above) êIf you scored42-48êEnroll in and Pass MATH 051:IntermediateAlgebra(C- or above) during your first semesterêEnroll inand PassGE Math(C- or above) êIf you scored 34-40êEnroll in MATH 031:Beginning Algebraduring your first semesterTake in-class assessment test (MDTP) during fourth week êIf you scored32or lowerêEnroll in and Pass MATH 011:Intensive Beginning Algebra(C- or above) during your first semesterêEnroll in and Pass MATH 012:Intensive Intermediate Algebra(C- or above) during your second semesterêEnroll inand PassGE Math(C- or above) Pass TestêAdvance automatically to and pass(C- or above) MATH 032:Accelerated Intermediate AlgebraêEnroll inand PassGE Math(C- or above) Fail TestêRemain inand Pass(C- or above)MATH 031êEnroll in and Pass MATH 051: Intermediate Algebra(C- or above)during your second semesterêEnroll in and PassGE Math(C- or above)
    The Guide to Mathematics and Writing Requirements Mathematics Writing (in sequence from left to right) Requirement ELM: Entry Level Mathematics test.** GE Mathematics course with a grade of C- or better. EPT: English Placement Test.** ENGL 130: Freshman Composition with a grade of C- or better. WP: Writing Proficiency course with a grade of C- or better. Who All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All upper-division undergraduates (must have passed ENGL 130 with a grade of C- or better). What Placement test for non-exempt students' enrollment in all GE math and prerequisite math courses. GE mathematics course. Placement test for non-exempt students' enrollment in composition courses. Lower-division writing course: writing techniques. Upper-division course: practical applications of writing in major. When Take ELM before first semester of enrollment. Enroll immediately in GE math if you passed the ELM. If you did not pass the ELM, enroll immediately in the algebra course designated on your score report. See the Advising Office for help . Take EPT before first semester of enrollment. First opportunity after EPT. You must pass ENGL 130 or equivalent (C-) to qualify for WP. In most majors, junior or senior year after passing ENGL 130 with a grade of C- or better. Where Any CSU campus; register in campus Test Office at least 15 days in advance. Any college or university; an equivalent transfer course will meet this requirement. Any CSU campus; register in campus Test Office at least 15 days in advance. Any college or university; an equivalent transfer course will meet this requirement. CSU, Chico Why Places into GE math course or for appropriate prerequisite algebra course. Minimum verification of math literacy. Placement into ENGL 130 and appropriate Writing Workshop (ENGL 030) if indicated by EPT score. Preparation for academic writing. Verification of writing proficiency appropriate for major. Compliance Registration Hold will prevent you from attending the University if you have no ELM score before your first semester. No graduation without passing grade (C-) in GE math. Registration Hold will prevent you from attending the University if you have no EPT score before your first semester. No admittance to upper-division writing requirement (WP course) and no graduation if no passing grade (C- or better) in ENGL 130. Must pass WP course in each major with C- or better to graduate. The satisfactory grade certifies writing proficiency and satisfies the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR). Exemptions -Transfer of college GE math course (C-), including intermediate algebra completed in college before fall 1988-AP Math (AB BC): 3-AP Statistics: 3-ACT Math: 23-SAT I Math: 550-SAT II Math Levels I, IC, II, IIC: 550-Students age 60+-unconditional exemption on the Early Assessment taken in conjunction with the 11th grade CA Standards test or Algebra II.-conditional exemption on the Early Assessment (described above) PLUS a CSU-approved high schoolcourse/activity before CSU enrollment. -Transfer of college GE math course (C-) -CLEP College Algebra & Trig: 50-CLEP Calculus & Analytic Geometry: 50-CLEP Statistics: 50-CLEP General Math Exam: 50-AP Math (any exam): 3 -Transfer of college Freshman English course (C-)-ACT English: 24-AP Comp. & Lit. or Lang.: 3-SAT I Verbal or Critical Thinking: 550-SAT I Writing: 680-SAT II Writing: 680*-EEE: qualifying score**-Students age 60+-Placement in the exempt category on the Early Assessment taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards test. -Transfer of college Freshman English course (C-)-EEE: qualifying score**-AP Comp. & Lit. or Lang.: 3-FGST (C-) -None *If taken before 1/94, College Board Achievement English Comp w/essay: 600; 1/94-3/95, SAT II Writing: 600; 4/95-4/98, SAT II Writing: 660.**Students receive test results by mail or can access them online with their ELM/EPT PIN.ELM Test PreparationYou can access the ELM Problem Book at http://www.calstate.edu/ar/ELMProblemBook01_02.pdfYou can also access the CSU Mathematics and English Success at: http://www.csumathsuccess.org/mshome and http://www.csuenglishsuccess.org/eshome