Understanding Math Placement

At the time of admission to Chico State, multiple measures are used to determine readiness for General Education Written Communication and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning coursework (GE Area A2 and B4). For math, your placement level and declared major determines what course to begin with your first semester or year.

First-year students will fall into one of the following placement levels:

GE Math Fulfilled: you have been awarded college credit from transferable math coursework, or AP/IB test credit for GE Area B4
- For STEM majors, you may still need to complete the three steps of ALEKS PPL to determine readiness for precalculus or calculus
GE Math Ready: you are ready to enroll in a GE Area B4
- For STEM majors, you still need to complete the three steps of ALEKS PPL to determine readiness for precalculus or calculus
GE Math Ready with Support- Early Start Recommended: you will be pre-enrolled in a supported GE B4 math course as determined by your declared major pathway
- You are encouraged to complete the three steps of ALEKS PPL to practice with math concepts and potentially boost your math placement. This is highly encouraged for students in STEM majors.
Supported Math or Science- Early Start Required: you will be pre-enrolled in a supported GE B1 Physical Science or B2 Life Science or MATH 198 course with support as determined by your declared major pathway
- You are encouraged to complete the three steps of ALEKS PPL to practice with math concepts and potentially boost your math placement. This is highly encouraged for students in STEM majors.
- You are required to enroll in the Early Start Program during the summer prior to your first semester.

Viewing Your Math Status

You can view your mathematics/quantitative reasoning placement status by logging in to your Student Center in your Wildcat Portal. On the Student Center Dashboard (homepage), you can view all of your student information including: Holds, Tasks, and To-Do List items.

Students who have fulfilled GE Math Fulfilled or are GE Math Ready will not see a notice in their Student Center.

Students who are GE Math Ready with Support- Early Start Recommended will see the message below under the "Holds" section of the Tasks area. This is a reminder notice and will not prevent a student from adding courses.

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Students who are Supported Math or Science- Early Start Required see the message below under the "Holds" section of the Tasks area. This is a reminder notice and will not prevent a student from adding courses.

Math Reminder in Student Center

You will be pre-enrolled into a designated GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course paired with a support course in your first semester (see the University Catalog for a detailed explanation).

MATH 116 and 016L: College Algebra with Support
Students in STEM majors are (defined as math-intensive majors that require calculus) who require additional support. MATH 116 satisfies Area B4 but MATH 016L does not count toward the bachelor's degree.
- Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Robotics
- Biochemistry
- Biology*
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science, Computer Engineering
- Concrete Industry Management
- Construction Management
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Geosciences
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Physics.
*Biology majors consult with your major advisor, statistics may be a more appropriate course.
MATH 110 and 010L: Concepts & Structures of Mathematics with Support
Students in the Liberal Studies options who require additional support. MATH 110 satisfies Area B4 but MATH 010L does not count toward the bachelor's degree.
MATH required in the LBST major: MATH 110 and 10L, 210, and 310.
MATH 107 and 07L: Finite Math for Business with Support
Students in the Business Administration options who require additional support. MATH 107 satisfies Area B4 but MATH 007L does not count toward the bachelor's degree.
MATH required in the BADM majors: MATH 107 and 07L, and 1.
MATH 105 and 05L: Intro to Statistics with Support
Required for:
- Agriculture options
- Biology*
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutrition and Food Sciences
- Pre-Nursing
- Social Work
- Optional choice for students whose majors do not have a specific math requirement but who require additional support. These students may also opt for MATH 101.
MATH 105 satisfies Area B4 but MATH 005L does not count toward the bachelor's degree.
*Biology majors consult with your major advisor, calculus may be the more appropriate course.
MATH 101: Patterns of Mathematical Thought
Students in any major that does not have a specific math requirement.

You will be pre-enrolled into a designated science or math course in your first semester (either GE B1 or B2 paired with a support course or MATH 198 & UNIV 101. In your second semester, enroll in GE Math/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course paired with a support course (see the University Catalog for a detailed explanation).

CIVL 175 and MATH 031B
CIVL 175: Biological Processes in Environmental Engineering and MATH 031B are for students with the following majors:
- Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Robotics
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Concrete Industry Management
- Construction Management
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
In Math 031B, students learn math in context by reviewing and then applying what they have learned in the corequisite science course. CIVL 175 satisfies Area B2 Life Science.
BIOL 102 and MATH 031B
BIOL 102: Introduction to Living Systems and MATH 031B are recommended for students in the following majors:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Geosciences
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Students whose majors have no specific Area B2 Life Science requirement.
In Math 031B, students learn math in context by reviewing and then applying what they have learned in the corequisite science course. BIOL 102 satisfies Area B2 Life Science.
ERTH 130 and MATH 031G
ERTH 130: Introduction to Environmental Science and MATH 031G is recommended for students in the following majors:
- Students whose majors have no specific Area B1 Physical Science requirement.
In Math 031G, students learn math in context by reviewing and then applying what they have learned in the corequisite science course. ERTH 130 satisfies Area B1 Physical Science.
SCED 101 and MATH 031N
SCED 101: Introduction to Earth System Science and MATH 031N is recommended for students in the following majors:
- Students whose majors have no specific Area B1 Physical Science requirement.
In Math 031N, students learn math in context by reviewing and then applying what they have learned in the corequisite science course. SCED 101 satisfies Area B1 Physical Science.
PSSC 101 and MATH 031P
PSSC 101: Introduction to Plant Sciences and MATH 031P is recommended for students in the following majors:
- Choose this course if your major is in the College of Agriculture
- Students whose majors have no specific Area B2 Life Science requirement.
In Math 031P, students learn math in context by reviewing and then applying what they have learned in the corequisite science course. PSSC 101 satisfies Area B2 Life Science.

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Math Course Sequence (PDF) guide

Math Sequence for STEM Majors (PDF) guide

If you are in a STEM major, or want to improve your math placement level, complete ALEKS PPL.

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Cat III Schedules (PDF)

Cat IV Schedules (PDF)

Advising for math placement, ALEKS PPL, and first year math courses