Congratulations on your acceptance to Montclair State, and on your decision to join the College of Science and Mathematics (CSAM)! A professional advisor in the CSAM Student Success Center (SSC) will automatically create your first semester schedule based on the requirements for your major once you complete the Placement Test(s) and the First-Year Schedule Questionnaire (Step 6 and Step 7 on the Freshman Student Checklist). Students will not need to contact the office to initiate this process. However, if you have questions any SSC advisor is available for help. You may make an appointment by contacting us through email csamssc@montclair.edu or 💬 Live Chat (office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm). Advisors will be assigned by August. Students that submit these steps by May 15th may expect to receive their schedule by the end of June.
If you are declared as a CSAM major, then you will already have access to the required placement test(s) in Canvas (at least 24 hours from when you initiate your NetID). There are two placement exams: the Math 111 Placement Test and the Chemistry Readiness Test (CRT). All CSAM students must take the MATH 111 Placement Test. If you already have credit for Precalculus, Calculus I, or higher then you do not have to take the exam and will be exempt.
Many CSAM majors are required to take the Chemistry Readiness Test (CRT):
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Exercise Science (Clinical and Pre-Professional Studies Concentration)
- Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Sustainability Science
If your major is not listed above, then Chemistry is an option for you but not a requirement. You do not need to take the CRT at this time.
After claiming your NetID, you should take your placement test(s) as soon as possible in Canvas. The Math Placement Test is 25 questions long, and has a 75 minute maximum time limit. The Chemistry Readiness Test is 35 questions long, and has a 60 minute maximum time limit. If you have any questions or do not have access to these test(s) in Canvas, please contact the CSAM Student Success Center at csamssc@montclair.edu. Please contact us using your MSU email and include your CWID (student ID number).
What will my schedule look like?
Course selection is based on your major, degree requirements, and placement results:
- GNED 199/CHEM 190/ or MATH 102 (1 credit)
- 1-2 Major courses (4-8 credits)
- 1-2 General Education courses (3-6 credits)
On average, full-time first year undergraduate students will be registered for about 15-16 credit hours. To be considered a full-time student one must register for and continue active enrollment in at least 12 semester hours for the entire semester.
What if I want to change my major?
Please let an advisor know as soon as possible. Your course schedule may need to be adjusted. New first year students will be able to change majors in their Admissions Portal before August. After August, you will need to fill out the Change of Major form instead. Depending on the major, you may need to meet certain requirements before being approved.
Still need help?
Please email csamssc@montclair.edu or use our 💬 Live Chat during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 4:30 pm.