CNSM Freshmen Orientation Programs

Welcome to CSULB, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM), and the Jensen Student Access to Science and Mathematics Center! As the newest members of our CNSM community, we want help you acclimate to life at The Beach and be successful during your college years. We have put together a guide, Freshmen's Passport to Success [pdf], designed to help you make a positive start by outlining the many important deadlines and responsibilities required of you. In addition to your Passport to Success, the Jensen SAS Center has two distinct programs designed to assist your social and academic transition to life at CSULB.

Science Safari to Success and CNSM/Freshmen SOAR
The first program, known as Science Safari to Success, will introduce you to co-curricular and student support resources available through the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Although optional, first-time CNSM freshmen are STRONGLY encouraged to attend this program. The second program is Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR), which is the CSULB-sponsored new student orientation program that ALL students are required to attend before they can register for classes. See below for more information about Science Safari to Success and SOAR.

Science Safari to Success is a new student program sponsored by the Jensen SAS Center and CNSM, and is aimed at the specific needs of its freshmen. Students attend informational sessions, participate in networking activities, meet CNSM faculty and administrators, and interact with current CNSM students and organization leaders. Science Safari to Success offers students and their guests an opportunity to learn about the unique expectations required of science and math majors. It also introduces the mechanisms of support and opportunities offered to students as they work toward their goals. This orientation program begins on Friday, June 20, 2008, and prepares students attending CNSM Freshmen/SOAR the next day (Saturday, June 21, 2008). Overnight accommodations are available and encouraged for students and their guests (parents, siblings, friends, and other family members) at a low cost.

Register for SCIENCE SAFARI TO SUCCESS

CNSM/Freshmen Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) is the CSULB-sponsored academic orientation program where students learn about general education requirements and university policies/procedures, as well as receive academic advisement from their faculty advisors and assistance with registering for classes. ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SOAR - a separate registration process and fee are required. Science and math freshmen are STRONGLY encouraged to attend the only exclusive CNSM/Freshmen SOAR session offered this summer on Saturday, June 21, 2008, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Why should CNSM freshmen attend? This college-specific SOAR date is solely for CNSM majors - participants will meet other science and math freshmen, be advised by CNSM faculty, have a greater opportunity to enroll in needed classes, and learn about the programs, resources, and services designed to help you during your journey at CSULB. See below for information regarding SOAR registration and fee. Space is limited, registration must be received by Monday, June 2, 2008 in the Cashier's Office.

While Freshmen are attending their CNSM/SOAR Workshop on Saturday, June 21, 2008, parents and family members are invited to attend the CNSM Family Program. Registration and fee information.

It's your responsibility to meet the deadlines and requirements listed below. If you have any questions, please contact the Jensen Student Access to Science and Mathematics Center, at (562) 985-4682. The SAS Center staff and I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Henry C. Fung, Ph.D.
Director of the Jensen SAS Center and Associate Dean for Instructional Programs

What do Freshmen Need to Do Next?

Register and Complete English Placement Test (EPT) and/or Entry Level Math (ELM) exams (if required)
Most freshmen are required to complete the EPT and/or ELM. Exemption status and/or required placement tests are printed on the official Notice of Admission, the EPT/ELM Information Bulletin, and/or on students’ registration access mailer. If a freshman is required to complete the EPT and/or ELM, and does so on or before Saturday, May 3, 2008, CSULB will have his/her test results available by Saturday, June 21, 2008. This will help advisors and freshmen make appropriate course selections during SOAR.  Spring 2008 registration deadlines and test dates are listed below. Questions or concerns? Visit the CSULB Testing and Evaluation Services website or call (562) 985-4007 for more information.

Exempt from EPT and/or ELM?
Only students who earned specific test scores or college credit from the SAT, ACT, EAP, Advanced Placement (AP), and/or a college course MAY be exempt – visit the Testing and Evaluation Services website for details and the exemption form. All freshmen who intend to enroll in Pre-Calculus or Calculus (unless they have already earned credit via AP Calculus or a college course) MUST complete the Math Diagnostic Placement Test (MDPT) – see below for details.

Attend CSULB Open House on Saturday, April 26, 2008
Join us on Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, for this free event geared toward incoming freshmen, their family members, and guests, which provides information on CNSM, student-support resources, and an opportunity to explore our beautiful campus. Visit the CSULB University Outreach and School Relations website or call (562) 985-5358 for more information.

Submit Admitted Student Reply Form by Thursday, May 1, 2008
Save your space at CSULB by completing and returning your Admitted Student Reply Form – deadline to submit form is Thursday, May 1, 2008, or within four weeks after receiving acceptance letter. Use your MyCSULB account to access and complete the form or visit the CSULB Enrollment Services website to complete this responsibility online or (562) 985-5471 if you have other questions.

Enroll in Science Safari to Success and SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration)
A separate registration process and fee are required for Science Safari to Success and Freshmen SOAR, the CSULB-sponsored orientation program, which takes place Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, 2008. The Cashier's Office must receive your SOAR registration form and payment by Monday, June 2, 2008. Visit the SOAR website or call (562) 985-5515 for more information.

Planning to enroll in Pre-Calculus or Calculus at CSULB? Take the Math Diagnostic Placement Test (MDPT)
If you're planning to take one of the above math courses in the fall, you'll need to complete the Math Diagnostic Placement Test (MDPT). An exclusive CNSM/Freshmen MDPT will be administered on at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008 (this date is not advertised to other students and therefore not listed on the Math Department website). Contact the CSULB Mathematics Department for more information at (562) 985-4721 or visit its website to download the MDPT Registration Form. Please complete the form and return to the address listed on the form.

Planning to enroll in Chemistry? Complete the Chemistry Placement Test (CPT)
If you have NOT completed your first semester of a one-year course in General Chemistry (with laboratory) and you plan to enroll in the first course of General Chemistry this fall, you’re required to complete the CPT (also known as the Chemistry 111A exam). An exclusive CNSM/Freshmen CPT will be administered at 1:30 pm on Friday, June 20, 2008 (this date is not advertised to other students and therefore not listed on the Testing and Evaluations Services website) . Contact Testing and Evaluation Services at (562) 985-4007 to request a registration packet, then mail in your completed CPT registration form and payment. The cost for test is $10. Additional CPT information is available by visiting the Testing and Evaluation Services website.

Attend CNSM/Freshmen SOAR
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will host an academic orientation program Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, 2008. This two-dayprogram introduces incoming freshmen to university policies/procedures, the various CNSM departments, provides advisement from CNSM faculty, as well as presents an overview of the services and resources available to all CNSM majors. This particular orientation program is the only time when participants will receive all of these services and assistance. Freshmen attending any other SOAR sessions later in the summer will NOT meet with their faculty advisor and have fewer available seats in classes needed. See above for SOAR registration information.