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Department of Chemistry College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

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General Chemistry Requirements

The CARA survey is officially OPEN!

Please be advised that the timeline for CARA is different for the Spring/Summer 2026 session!

If the student meets the minimum requirements (math AND chemistry), they will be enrolled in CARA and will receive a CARA CANVAS invitation. Once the student is enrolled in CARA Canvas course, we permit them to conditionally enroll in CHEM 1A/CHEM 1E so they can obtain a desired seat, PRIOR to completing the CARA exercises. This year, the CARA ALEKS Review Modules will open for student work on July, 1st 2026. The Fall 2026 CARA completion deadline is Sunday, August 9th. Again, students will be able to conditionally enroll in CHEM 1A/CHEM 1E as soon as they are enrolled in the CARA CANVAS Course (aka during early registration). They DO NOT need to have the CARA ALEKS exercises completed to conditionally enroll.


Once enrolled in CARA, the student will WAIT till July 1st, 2026, to begin the modules. The access to these modules will close on August 9th, 2026.


If students are aiming to take CHEM1A/1E in the second summer session, please email chemistry@csus.edu for approval to complete the CARA before July. We evaluate these inquires on a case-by-case basis to consider 2025-2026 funding and course capacity.


If students do not complete the CARA modules by the August 9th deadline, they will be dropped from CHEM 1A or CHEM 1E. We will check for completion of the modules after August 9th and drop students from CHEM 1A/CHEM 1E who did not finish the work by that date. Please keep an eye on your emails. We always email students before dropping them to avoid mistakes.

Link: https://surveys.csus.edu/jfe/form/SV_6rIIJePK5mqoBUi

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CARA, Chemistry ALEKS Review and Assessment, is an online program that assesses an individual student's understanding of the topics needed to be successful in Chem 1A or Chem 1E. The topics cover areas of math, problem solving, units, graphing, basic physics, and basic chemistry.The time required to complete CARA can vary significantly depending on the knowledge level an individual student possesses entering the modules. Most students will complete within 40 hours. Students entering with a strong math and chemistry background will complete the program in significantly less time. Students must have access to a computer with internet.

Both the Math and Chemistry Department use the software program, ALEKS, to assess the ability of our students; however, CARA and the Math ALEKS PPL are two separate assessments. For students needing to take the proctored Math ALEKS PPL to have a qualifying math score, please contact math-01@csus.edu for more information.

CHEM 4 Requirements

CHEM 4 is designed for students who have not taken previous chemistry or who feel their chemistry background is insufficient for Chem 1A/ Chem 1E.

Math Prerequisites- Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • A score of 61 or higher on the ALEKS Placement Preparation and Learning assessment administered by the Department of Mathematics, or a rating of 61 or higher in the HS Placement evaluation assigned by Hornet Launch
    • The High School Math ALEKS PPL Placement evaluation score assigned by Hornet Launch expires after ONE YEAR
  • Math 12 or equivalent is a recommended prerequisite, but Math 12 will be accepted as a corequisite
    • Statistics, Trigonometry, and Geometry do NOT count towards the Math prerequisite
  • A score of 3 or higher on either the AP Calculus AB exam or the AP Calculus BC exam

CHEM 1A Requirements

Chem 1A is the introductory chemistry course for science majors within the college of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Students enrolling in CHEM 1A must meet prerequisites in both Math and Chemistry.

Math Prerequisites – Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • A score of 61 or higher on the ALEKS Placement Preparation and Learning assessment administered by the Department of Mathematics, or a rating of 61 or higher in the HS Placement evaluation assigned by Hornet Launch
    • The High School Math ALEKS PPL Placement evaluation score assigned by Hornet Launch expires after ONE YEAR
  • Successful completion (C- or above) of Math 12
    • Statistics, Trigonometry, and Geometry do NOT count towards the Math prerequisites
  • A score of 3 or higher on either the AP Calculus AB exam or the AP Calculus BC exam
  • Eligibility to enroll in Math 26A or Math 29

Chemistry Prerequisites – Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Successful completion (C or higher) of CHEM 4
  • Completion of CHEM 4 with a D or C- AND a score of 85% on the Chemistry Aleks Review Assessment (CARA)
  • Successful completion of a high school chemistry course (for first-year students) or a community college introductory chemistry course (for transfer students) AND a score of 85% on the Chemistry Aleks Review Assessment (CARA)
  • A score of 2 or higher on the AP Chemistry exam

CHEM 1E Requirements

Chem 1E is the introductory chemistry course for engineering majors. Students enrolling in CHEM 1E must meet prerequisites in both Math and Chemistry.

Math Prerequisites – Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • A score of 76 or higher on the ALEKS Placement Preparation and Learning assessment administered by the Department of Mathematics, or a rating of 76 or higher in the HS Placement evaluation assigned by Hornet Launch
    • The High School Math ALEKS PPL Placement evaluation score assigned by Hornet Launch expires after ONE YEAR
  • Successful completion (C- or above) of Math 29
  • Successful completion (C- or above) of Math 29
  • Enrollment in Math 30 or higher

Chemistry Prerequisites – Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Successful completion (C or higher) of CHEM 4
  • Completion of CHEM 4 with a D or C- AND a score of 85% on the Chemistry Aleks Review Assessment (CARA)
  • Successful completion of a high school chemistry course (for first-year students) or a community college introductory chemistry course (for transfer students) AND a score of 85% on the Chemistry Aleks Review Assessment (CARA)
  • A score of 2 or higher on the AP Chemistry exam

CHEM 6A

CHEM 6A is the introductory chemistry course for majors within the college of Health and Human Services. It serves as the prerequisite for CHEM 6B but does not serve as preparation for CHEM 1A.

Math Prerequisites – Students must meet the following criteria:

  • One year of high school algebra