This is an archived version of the University Catalog and is no longer being maintained. References to people, offices, policies, and web links may be outdated. View the current catalog or email catalog@csuchico.edu for updated information. Students who have catalog rights to this version of the catalog should check with an advisor for graduation requirements.

Skip to Side Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Accessibility Settings

Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements

Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements Page Navigation

Four Steps to Graduation

To assure that your mathematics/quantitative reasoning 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 Academic Advising Programs, SSC 220, or Graduation Advising, SSC 110.

Step 1. Understand your Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Written Communication Placement

Placement in courses that satisfy CSU General Education (GE) Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Written Communication requirements will be based on four categories described below (Coded Memorandum ASA-2017-27). See the Admissions (Undergraduate) for more information on the assessment of academic preparation and placement.

  • Fulfilled: Has fulfilled the GE Written Communication (A2) or Quantitative Reasoning (A4) requirement
    • Student has met the CSU GE Breadth Subarea A2 and/or B4 requirement via Advanced Placement (AP) examination, International Baccalaureate (IB) examination or transferable course
  • Ready: Ready for GE Written Communication (A2) or Quantitative Reasoning (A4) courses
    • Student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards
  • Ready With Support: Ready for GE Written Communication (A2) or Quantitative Reasoning (A4) courses with support
    • Based on multiple measures, student needs additional academic support
    • Participation in the Early Start program is recommended and may be highly advisable for some students, particularly STEM majors
  • Ready With Support, Early Start Program Required: Ready for GE Written Communication (A2) or Quantitative Reasoning (A4) courses with support, Early Start Program is required
    • Based on new multiple measures, student needs additional academic support
    • Participation in the Early Start Program is required.

If you think you are exempt, please check The Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements, below, or consult Academic Advising Programs.

Early Start Program

Early Start Program participation is required for students needing skills development, as determined by systemwide placement standards. Students needing skills development in both general education written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning shall be required to enroll in a written communication or mathematics/quantitative reasoning course but not both during the Early Start Program. However you may elect to enroll in both.

You will be notified throughout the process of application, admission, and registration about this requirement. Once you have applied, you can find your most current status via your CSU, Chico Portal.

Visit the Office of Admissions Early Start website for more information about the Early Start Program.

Step 2. Enroll in a GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course

First-time freshmen are required to enroll in a General Education Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course within their first academic year. When you pass GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) with a C- or higher, you will have met the requirement for graduation. Check The Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements, below, for exemptions, or consult Academic Advising Programs.

If you place as Ready With Support you will enroll in a designated GE Quantitative reasoning (A4) course paired with a preparatory mathematics course your first term.

If you place as Ready With Support, Early Start Program Required you will enroll in your GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course in your second term. To prepare for that course, in your first term you will enroll in a designated science course (GE B1 or B2) paired with a preparatory mathematics course that will develop your quantitative reasoning skills.

Important Information

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
MATH 031 Foundational Mathematics A   1.0 FS  
Prerequisite: GE Math Ready with Support and Early Start Program.
Foundational level California Common Core State Standards mathematics topics. Satisfactory completions of this course fulfills the prerequisite for enrollment in Math 051. This course is a supplemental requirement for ELM placement category IV students required to enroll in designated general education courses. 3 hours laboratory. This course is designated remedial and does not count as credit toward the bachelor's degree, although the units may be applied to financial aid minimum requirements. Credit/no credit grading. (005493)
MATH 051 Foundational Mathematics B   1.0 FS  
Prerequisite: Credit in Math 031 or GE Math Ready with Support.
Foundational level California Common Core State Standards mathematics topics in support of general education mathematics. This course is a supplemental requirement for ELM placement category III students required to enroll in designated general education courses. 3 hours laboratory. This course is designated remedial and does not count as credit toward the bachelor's degree, although the units may be applied to financial aid minimum requirements. ABC/no credit grading. (005498)

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 a GE Written Communication (A2) course

First-time freshmen are required to enroll in a GE Written Communication (A2) course within their first academic year. Check The Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements, below, for exemptions, or consult Academic Advising Programs.

Important Information

Ready With Support, Early Start Program Required students are also required to enroll in ENGL 131: Writing Workshop, a one-unit preparatory course, where you will receive supplemental help with your writing skills. It is graded Credit/No Credit and may be repeated as needed.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
ENGL 131 Writing Workshop   1.0 FS  
Corequisite: ENGL 130W.
The Writing Workshop is a series of small-group activities focused on understanding and strengthening writing processes. Workshop topics include literacy practices, writing tools, and portfolio preparation. 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 2.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (003384)

Step 4. Complete four Writing (W) courses

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses listed below.

  1. A GE Written Communication course (see Step 1 above)
  2. A lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course
  3. An upper-division Writing (W) course in or specified by the department of the major
  4. The upper-division Writing (W) course serving as the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major (see Step 5 below)

Step 5. Take and pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Information on currently available ways to meet this graduation requirement may be obtained from Academic Advising Programs.

You are required to take and pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major with a grade of C- or higher 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 GW course in your major until you have met the GE Written Communication (A2) requirement. Faculty teaching GW courses will not allow you to sit in, audit, or enroll later in the semester.

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


The Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements


The Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements Chart
  Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Writing
Requirement GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course with a grade of C- or higher. GE Written Communication (A2) with a grade of C- or higher. Lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course. Major-designated upper-division Writing (W) course. GWAR: GWAR course in the major with a grade of C- or higher.
Who All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All undergraduates unless exempt (see below). All undergraduates. All upper-division undergraduates (must have completed GE Written Communication (A2) with a grade of C or higher).
What GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course. GE Written Communication (A2) course. Lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course. Major designated upper-division Writing (W) course. Upper-division course: practical applications of writing in major.
When Enroll in a GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course within first academic year. Enroll in a GE Written Communication (A2) course within first academic year. Enroll in a lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course sophomore or junior year. Enroll in the major-designated upper-division Writing (W) course junior or senior year. In most majors, junior or senior year after passing GE Written Communication (A2) with a grade of C- or higher.
Where Any college or university; an equivalent transfer course will meet this requirement. Any college or university; an equivalent transfer course will meet this requirement. CSU, Chico CSU, Chico CSU, Chico
Why Minimum verification of math literacy. Preparation for academic writing. Development of academic writing. Preparation for academic writing in the major. Verification of writing proficiency appropriate for major.
Compliance No graduation without passing grade (C- or higher) in GE Quantitative Reasoning (A4) course. No admittance to upper-division writing requirement (GWAR course) and no graduation if no passing grade (C- or higher) in GE Written Communication (A2). Must pass to certify completion of University Writing Requirement. Must pass to certify completion of University Writing Requirement. Must pass GWAR course in each major with C- or higher to graduate. The satisfactory grade certifies writing proficiency and satisfies the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR).
Exemptions -Transfer of college GE math course (C- or higher)
-CLEP Calculus: 50
-CLEP College Algebra: 50
-CLEP College Algebra/Trigonometry: 50
-CLEP Trigonometry: 50
-International Baccalaureate (IB) Mathematics HL: 4
-AP Math (any exam): 3		 -Transfer of college written communication course (C- or higher)
-AP Comp. & Lit. or Lang.: 3 or higher
 -Transfer students -None -None

**Students can access the CSU Mathematics and English Success at: http://www.csumathsuccess.org/mshome and http://www.csuenglishsuccess.org/eshome

Catalog Cycle:19