What is Transition Advising?
Transition Advising is specialized for students seeking to transition from CHASS to majors in CNAS or BCOE. The change of major criteria for CNAS and BCOE is quite rigorous – the Transition Advisor is a liaison between the colleges and is here to assist you in staying on track and remaining eligible for the major change.
Although any student in CHASS can seek a major change to CNAS or BCOE, declared majors are strongly encouraged to change to Undeclared while pursuing the change of major coursework.
Transition Policy
- CHASS students seeking a major change to CNAS or BCOE must meet the specific change of major criteria by the 89-unit limit (typically the end of the second year of enrollment). No extensions or exceptions. *The CHASS Transition process is not available to transfer students pursuing STEM majors.
- MATH – All majors in CNAS and BCOE are calculus-based
- Must make sufficient progress in math – at a minimum, students must complete through MATH 5A or 6A (depending on placement or prior credit) by the end of Spring of their first year.
- If no prior calculus-based math credit (i.e. transfer credit or AP), the student must take MAE no later than winter quarter of their first year to determine math placement
- MATH 3 placement – Only offered to first-year students on a limited basis, and is offered in Fall and Winter (not offered in Spring)
- Students placing into MATH 3 must successfully complete it no later than winter quarter of their first year
- MATH 4 or MATH 22 placement – must be adjusted to get on the appropriate calculus track. See the Transition Advisor or your assigned academic advisor for details.
- No repeats of change of major courses. Students must earn a C- or above in all required coursework on the first attempt. If a D or F grade is earned in any change of major requirement, the student will no longer be eligible to pursue a major outside of CHASS.
- Strongly recommended to attend a Transition Workshop in their first year of enrollment. Workshops will be offered in Fall and Winter, and a registration link will be on the CHASS Student Affairs site.
Transition Advisor
Students interested in transitioning from CHASS to BCOE should contact the Transition Advisor early in their first year to get on the transition student interest list and seek regular advising until the change of major criteria is met. Once you are on the list, you will receive regular (quarterly) communication from the Transition Advisor regarding your progress and will be provided with specific course recommendations to help keep you on track toward your desired major.
Ashley Torres – ashleyt@ucr.edu
For appointment and drop-in availability - https://succeed.ucr.edu/portal/studentsuccess
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Transition Eligibility & Policies
Why do transition courses need to be passed on the first attempt?
CNAS and BCOE majors are highly sequential and require students to demonstrate sufficient academic progress. The first-attempt requirement also helps students remain on track to complete the required coursework within the 89-unit limit.
What happens if I earn below a C- in a required transition course?
You will no longer meet CHASS Transition eligibility for a CNAS or BCOE major requiring that course. Please work with your assigned academic advisor to discuss alternative major options and next steps
What is the 89-unit limit?
Students must meet the change of major eligibility requirements for their intended CNAS or BCOE major before reaching 90 units. Students who reach 90 or more units without meeting the requirements are no longer eligible through the CHASS Transition process.
I have AP, IB, or community college credit from before I started at UCR. Does it count toward the 89-unit limit?
No. AP, IB, and community college units completed before you began at UCR are excluded from the 89-unit transition limit.
However, community college coursework completed after starting at UCR will count toward the unit limit, so plan additional coursework carefully.
Math Placement & Progression
When do I need to complete the Math Placement Assessment (MPA)?
Students without prior calculus-based math credit must complete the MPA no later than Winter quarter of their first year to determine appropriate math placement. If you have not completed the MPA by this time, please consult with the Transition Advisor to determine transition feasibility.
Completing your math placement early is strongly encouraged so you can begin the required math sequence. Delaying your math placement or required math coursework may put you at risk of exceeding the 89-unit transition limit.
I placed into MATH 4. Can I take this course?
MATH 4 is not intended for students pursuing a CNAS or BCOE major. Please contact your assigned academic advisor to request a math placement adjustment.
If you have already completed MATH 4 or MATH 22 with a C- or better, please contact the Transition Advisor to discuss your appropriate math pathway.
What if I place into MATH 3?
Students who place into MATH 3 must successfully complete it no later than Winter quarter of their first year. MATH 3 is offered to first-year students on a limited basis in Fall and Winter and is not offered in Spring.
How much math progress do I need to make during my first year?
All CNAS and BCOE majors are calculus-based. At a minimum, students must complete through MATH 5A or MATH 6A, depending on placement or prior credit, by the end of Spring quarter of their first year.
Please review the math requirements for your intended CNAS or BCOE major.
Registration & Course Planning
Why can't I register for a math or science course when seats are available?
CNAS and BCOE reserve seats in certain math and science courses for students in their majors. CHASS Transition students must enroll in sections with unreserved seats.
When searching for courses, check the unreserved seat count, not just the total number of seats remaining. A section may show available seats, but those seats may be reserved for CNAS or BCOE students.
What if the unreserved seats are full?
If the unreserved seats are full:
Add yourself to the waitlist for the required transition course.
- Continue monitoring your enrollment and UCR email in case a seat becomes available (must add course if a seat becomes available within 24 hours of receiving notification).
During second-pass enrollment, CNAS/BCOE may release remaining reserved seats, providing additional opportunities for CHASS Transition students to enroll.
Important: Enrollment in required transition courses is not guaranteed. Register as early as your enrollment appointment allows and always join the waitlist if an unreserved section is full.
Should I take CHASS Natural Science or Mathematics breadth courses?
Students planning to transition to CNAS or BCOE should not enroll in CHASS Natural Science or Mathematics breadth courses solely to satisfy CHASS breadth requirements. Required coursework for your intended CNAS/BCOE major will generally fulfill these areas after your major change.
Prioritize transition requirements and other remaining breadth requirements to avoid accumulating unnecessary units.
Can I change the grading basis for my math, science, engineering, or writing course to S/NC?
No. All math, science, and engineering courses required for transition must be completed for a letter grade.
For students pursuing a BCOE major, WRIT composition courses must also be completed for a letter grade and should not be changed to Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC).
Why do UCR course numbers look different when I search for classes?
UCR uses three-digit course numbers in the registration system. For example:
MATH 3 = MATH 003
MATH 6A = MATH 006A
Be sure to search using the three-digit course number when registering.
Community College & Summer Coursework
Can I take transition courses at a community college during the summer?
Some transition requirements may have equivalent courses at a California Community College. Use ASSIST.org to verify course equivalencies before enrolling.
Keep the following in mind:
Semester units convert to a higher number of quarter units when transferred to UCR. If you are approaching the 89-unit limit, community college coursework may cause you to exceed the unit limit and impact your transition eligibility.
- Courses within a sequence should generally be started and completed at the same institution.
- If a community college course is a prerequisite for your next UCR course, you may not be able to register until your official transcript is received and the course is processed by UCR.
Prioritize courses that are required for your intended change of major rather than taking additional coursework solely to complete breadth requirements.
Important: Second-year students nearing the 89-unit limit should carefully review their projected units before enrolling in community college coursework.
During the academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring), enrollment at another institution requires prior approval through a Concurrent Enrollment Petition.
Do summer courses count toward the 89-unit limit?
Yes. Units completed during summer, including transferable coursework completed at another institution will count toward your total units.
Plan summer coursework carefully, particularly if you are approaching the 89-unit limit.
Should I take breadth courses during summer?
Prioritize transition coursework required for your intended change of major. Taking breadth courses will add units and may put you at risk of exceeding the 89-unit transition limit.
Major Selection & Changing Your Major
What if I haven't decided which CNAS or BCOE major I want?
Students should research CNAS and BCOE majors and select one intended major as early as possible. Transition requirements vary by major, so identifying one intended major is important for developing an appropriate course plan and determining whether requirements can be completed within the 89-unit limit.
Can I pursue a CNAS or BCOE major if I already declared a CHASS major?
Yes, eligible first- and second-year CHASS students may pursue a change of major to CNAS or BCOE if they are able to meet the major requirements within the 89-unit limit. Declared CHASS majors are strongly encouraged to change to Undeclared while completing transition requirements. CHASS transfer students are not eligible to transition.
Where can I find the requirements for my intended major?
Always review the official change of major requirements for your intended CNAS or BCOE major listed on their department Change of Major criteria website. Links are listed under Transition Resources below. Requirements vary by major.
I completed all of my transition coursework and am ready to change my major. What should I do next?
The CHASS Transition Advisor will review your academic record to confirm that you have met all transition and change of major requirements. You will be contacted directly with instructions on the next steps to request your major change.
Transition Resources
Here are some helpful resources to support you as you explore and pursue a transition to a major outside of CHASS: