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Changing Your Major Into/out of the College of Science and Mathematics

For students currently in the College of Science and Math who are interested in changing your major out of our college:

 

Please research the requirements for the desired major through college advising websites or department websites and if it looks possible for you to complete the prerequisite requirements AND meet the gpa requirements within three quarters, you can make an appointment to see an advisor in the CSM Advising Center in Building 53, Room 219; 756-2615. We will establish a written contract that will allow you to bypass taking your major/support requirements for up to three quarters and will allow you time to take the courses needed to pursue the desired major. Please realize this does NOT GUARANTEE that you will be admitted to the proposed major but it allows you the time to attempt to change your major. If you are unsuccessful, you can return to your original major.

If the prerequisite courses or gpa required to change will take longer than three quarters, then it is in your best interest to continue to make progress in your current major until such time when you can complete the remaining prerequiiste courses within three quarters. Alternatively, you may want to consider pursuing a different major choice at Cal Poly or transferring to a different institution where you can pursue your desired major. If you remain in your major but do not progress in your major, you will be subject to administrative probation. For further questions, please consult with the College of Science and Math Advising Center.


For students from inside/outside of our college who are interested in changing into one of the majors in the College of Science and Mathematics:


Biochemistry/Chemistry Majors - Change of Major Policy:


1. You must complete a year of inorganic chemistry - Chem 127, 128, 129 or Chem 124, 125, 129 with a C+ average (NO D's or F grades)
2. You must complete at least one quarter of Calculus - Math 141 with a C or better.
3. Once you have met the above criteria, make an appointment to speak with the department chair - Dr. Tina Bailey in Building 25, Room 125C; 756- 2693- for final approval and signature of the change of major form. Bring your change of major form signed by your current department with you to the meeting.

 

Biological Sciences/Microbiology Majors - Change of Major Policy:


1. You must have a C or better in at least two of these classes: Bio 160, Bio 161, Bio 162, Mcro 224
2. You must have a C or better in one of these classes: Chem 127 or 124, Chem 128 or 125, Chem 129
3. You must have a term GPA of at least 2.4 in the last two quarters before applying to change into the major.
4. Once you have met the above criteria, make an appointment to meet with the Biological Sciences Department Chair, Dr. Chris Kitts - 756-2788; Building 33, Room 274. Bring your change of major form signed by your current department with you to the meeting.

 

Kinesiology Change of Major Policy:

Students need to be aware that the Kinesiology Department is impacted and thus the process to transfer into the Department is extremely competitive. Students should carefully consider which of the Kinesiology concentrations they plan to follow, as changing concentrations after becoming a major, can slow down a student’s timely progress toward their bachelor’s degree.

Performance Criteria

All students requesting an internal change of major into the Kinesiology Department must meet the following minimum requirements.

  • Have completed two quarters at Cal Poly
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 in most recent two quarters at Cal Poly
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 in all Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology courses completed that pertain to the Kinesiology major
  • All Incompletes must be resolved
  • Have completed KINE 270 (Orientation to Kinesiology) with a grade of B- or better
  • Have completed KINE 250 (Healthy Living) or KINE 255 (Personal Health: A Multicultural Approach) with a grade of B- or better

PROCEDURES

  • The Kinesiology Department chair will accept Change of Major requests in fall, winter and spring quarters.
  • Students requesting a change of major into Kinesiology must submit their application packet to the department chair’s office by the end of the fourth week of classes.
  • Following a review of the applications the department chair will notify students of the status of their application by email by the end of the sixth week of the quarter.
  • Students who are accepted into Kinesiology must complete the Change of Major Form and obtain all appropriate signatures before the end of the quarter; the form is available from the Records Office in the Administration building.
  • The faculty encourages students who were not accepted to reapply the next available quarter.

APPLICATION

The application should include the following:

  • A cover page with the following information
      • Name and Empl ID number
      • Local address with zip code
      • Local telephone number
      • E-mail address
      • Current major and college
      • Overall CPSLO GPA
      • Kinesiology major concentration for which you are applying (e.g. Exercise Science and Health Promotion Concentration and track or Individual Course of Study Concentration and career goal of Nursing, Physician Assistant or Occupational Therapy)
  • A copy of your unofficial Cal Poly transcripts from Poly Profile
  • A table that contains a list of all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology courses you have taken that pertain to the Kinesiology major. The column beside each course should include the grade you earned. The third column should include the grade points for each course.  At the bottom of the grade point column, please provide the overall GPA for these courses.   (Note minimum GPA is 2.75) 
  • A typed statement indicating the Kinesiology concentration you desire, and why you want to enter that particular concentration.  The statement should be thorough enough to provide a complete understanding of, and justification for, your request.
  • Staple these items together and submit them to the Kinesiology Department chair no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of the 4th week of classes.  

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Camille O’Bryant in Building 43A, Room 451. Phone 756-1787

 

Liberal Studies - Change of Major Policy


PLEASE NOTE: The Liberal Studies major prepares individuals to be admitted into a multi-subject (K-6) teaching credential program. It is imperative that you are contemplating a teaching career to apply for change of major consideration.

The Liberal Studies Department will consider internal transfers who meet the following criteria:
1. Have taken courses at Cal Poly for two quarters.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.7 or better in the two most recent quarters at Cal Poly State University.
3. A grade of C or better in one or more physical science or Biology courses to be chosen from the following: PSC 101, 102, 103 or BIOL 113, 114, 115.
4. Completion of of Engl 134 with a grade of C or better.
5. Completion of LS 230 or LS 250 (30 hours of classroom observation).
6. All incompletes must be resolved.
7. Complete the Liberal Studies Change of Major application and turn in to the Liberal Studies Office in Building 53, Room 211.
8. Make an appointment to meet with Dr. Lola Berber-Jimenez, the Liberal Studies Department Chair at the time you drop off your application to the Liberal Studies Office.

If you meet the minimum criteria stated above, you may submit an application to the Liberal Studies Office, Bldg. 53, Room 211. Be sure to attach a statement of interest and a copy of your transcript (obtain from "View My Poly Profile" in your portal). Spaces are limited, therefore, only the most qualified students will be accepted. If you feel there is additional information that we do not have regarding your situation, please make an appointment to discuss the matter with us.

Mathematics - Change of Major Policy:

Any student interested in changing to math should make an appointment to see the department chair as soon as possible.  The chair will discuss the student's individual circumstances, determine which further courses are required, and set up an agreement with the student.  After satisfactory completion of the agreement, a student will be accepted into the major.  Normally, it takes only one complete quarter from the time of application until a final decision is made.  For example, a student who first talks to the department chair in the middle of winter quarter should have a final decision by the end of spring quarter.  The Math Department Chair, Dr. Rawlings, may  be reached at 756-2206, Bldg 25-208.


Physics BA or BS - Change of Major Policy:

1. Completion of both Phys 141 and 132 with grades of C or higher. 
2. Completion of MATH 141 and 142 and 143 with a C- or higher.
3. After you have met the above criteria, you should make an appointment to speak with the department chair, Dr Matthew Moelter (Bldg 52-D39, 756-2447).


Statistics - Change of Major Policy:

1. Completion of MATH 141 and 142 with at least a C in each course
2. Completion of STAT 301 and 302 or equivalent with at least a C in each course
3. After you have met the above criteria, you should make an appointment to meet wiith the Dr. Robert Smidt, Statistics Department Chair. Phone: 756-2001. Bring your change of major form signed by your current department with you to the meeting.
4. Exceptions to the above criteria leading to major change approval may be made if there are extenuating circumstances. Contact the Statistics Department Chair to discuss your extenuating circumstances.