This is an archive of the 2014-2015 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2014-2015 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Mathematics Exams and Prerequisites

Entry Level Mathematics Exam (ELM)

The ELM Examination assesses entry-level mathematics skills that CSUN expects entering students to have acquired in 3 years of rigorous college preparatory Mathematics coursework (Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II). All entering CSUN undergraduates must take the ELM Examination, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

1. Successful completion of the Early Assessment Program (EAP);

2. A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test or on the College Board SAT II Mathematics Test Level IC or IIC;

3. A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing (ACT) Mathematics Test;

4. A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB, Calculus BC or Statistics Examinations; or

5. Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education–Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Quantitative Reasoning requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Successful completion of the ELM Examination or a grade of credit in the appropriate developmental mathematics courses is one of the requirements for enrollment in most university-level Mathematics courses at CSUN, as well as CHEM 100 and 103, and PHSC 170. ELM exemption based on SAT, ACT or Advanced Placement Test scores, as listed above, also will meet this requirement. However, students who wish to qualify for enrollment in university-level Mathematics courses at CSUN on the basis of a transfer course can do so only if the transfer course is an approved mathematics course above the level of intermediate algebra.

Liberal Studies majors who are Credential candidates should be aware that the ELM requirement must be met in order to enroll in either MATH 210 or 310. A transfer course equivalent to MATH 210 will not enable students to enroll in MATH 310 at CSUN unless they also have met the ELM requirement for enrollment.

Mathematics Placement Test (MPT)

The Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) is a CSUN test used to determine eligibility for enrollment in MATH 102, 103, 104, 105, 150A and 255A, and must have been taken within the year preceding enrollment in these courses. The MPT does not replace the ELM requirement, but is used in addition to the ELM to determine eligibility for enrollment.

Part I of the MPT consists of questions from intermediate algebra. Part II of the MPT consists of questions on trigonometry and advanced topics from intermediate algebra (precalculus). A qualifying score on Part I is required for entry in MATH 102, 103, 104 and 105.

Qualifying scores on both Parts I and II are required for entry into MATH 150A and 255 A.

A summary of the qualifying scores can be found in Table 1 below. Visit the Testing Center website at www.csun.edu/testing for registration information, required qualifying scores and test dates.

Table 1. Course Prerequisites

Course Fully Prepared Conditionally Prepared Lab Course
MATH 102 18 in MPT I or credit for MATH 102L Passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam or credit in MATH 093 MATH 102L
MATH 103 18 in MPT I or credit for MATH 103L Passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam or credit in MATH 093 MATH 103L
MATH 104 30 in MPT I or “B-” in MATH 102 25 in MPT I or “C-” in MATH 102 MATH 104L
MATH 105 27 in MPT I or a B-in MATH 102 23 in MPT I or “C-” in MATH 102 MATH 105L
MATH 150A 30 in MPT I and 28 in MPT II or “B-” in MATH 104 or “B-” in MATH 105 25 in MPT I and 22 in MPT II or “C-” in MATH 104 or “C-” in MATH 105 MATH 150AL
MATH 255A 30 in MPT I and 24 in MPT II or “B-” in MATH 104 or “B-” in MATH 105 25 in MPT I and 20 in MPT II or “C-” in MATH 104 or “C-” in MATH 105 MATH 150AL
MATH 150B “B-” in MATH 150A or 4 in AP Calculus AB “C-” in MATH 150A or 3 in AP Calculus AB MATH 150BL
MATH 255B “B-” in MATH 255A or 4 in AP Calculus AB “C-” in MATH 255A or 3 in AP Calculus AB MATH 150BL