How to Apply to Chemistry at California State University, Fresno: In the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of the College of Science and Mathematics, with an ACS-Certified BS, a Pre-Health BA and a Biochemistry BS, SAT/ACT Not Used and Chemistry Not on the Impacted-Programs List, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

California State University, Fresno (Fresno State, in Fresno, California) teaches chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science and Mathematics. This guide relies on the department and college pages and the Admissions, International Office and tuition pages, covering US domestic, international and Chinese applicants, with transfer students at the end. Medicine, pharmacy, nursing and similar degrees are outside this guide, so please see the university website; biology is not covered here.

1. Degrees and tracks

• The department’s four degrees: the department home page says it offers four degrees — a BA in Chemistry, a BS in Chemistry, a BS in Biochemistry and an MS in Chemistry — preparing students for research, industry and education careers and for Ph.D., medical, pharmacy, dentistry and osteopathic medicine programs; students can use modern instrumentation, do research under faculty mentors, take laboratory classes in private-sector facilities and join the Chemistry Honors program.
• B.S. Chemistry: the department page says it is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and designed for students going on to graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry or entering the job market as professional chemists; some graduates go on to Ph.D. programs while others enter the job market.
• B.A. Chemistry: designed for pre-health professional students, with more emphasis on biochemistry and biology than the BS; graduates have gone on to medical, dental, pharmacy and other health professional schools, become high school science teachers or entered chemical-based industries.
• B.S. Biochemistry: intended for students planning a career in biochemical or chemistry research, and suitable for students pursuing health professions. The university does not say whether it counts as the “chemistry” major discussed here — confirm with the department advisors.
• B.A. Natural Sciences – Chemistry Option: designed for students who want to teach high school chemistry or middle school life or physical science (college and department pages).
• Minor and honors: the chemistry minor needs at least 21 units, at least 7 of them upper division, including organic chemistry and quantitative analysis, with a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units in residence. The Chemistry Honors program is 10 units, completed in the last four or five semesters: four honors courses, an independent research project leading to an undergraduate thesis, a peer-instruction service requirement and a presentation at a scientific conference. Eligibility: a Fresno State student (or a transfer student accepted for the following fall), a declared chemistry or biochemistry major, a GPA of 3.5 or better, and the ability to finish all degree and honors requirements in 4–5 semesters at under 20 units a semester; not required, but students should generally have completed one semester of organic chemistry lecture and lab and be enrolled in the second. Materials: a one-page cover letter, a résumé or CV, unofficial transcripts, a degree plan and contact details for two faculty or professional references; the page lists February submissions and says applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with those completed before the end of February or September evaluated before registration appointments.
• Required courses and total units: the academic plan worksheets linked from the department pages (catalog year 2024; the site says they are for advising only and cannot replace the catalog) show 120 units for the BS in Chemistry, with general chemistry CHEM 1A/1AL and 1B/1BL, organic chemistry CHEM 128A/B and 129A/B, calculus MATH 75, 76 and 77, physics PHYS 4A/AL, 4B/BL and 4C, and CHEM 110A/B (physical chemistry), 155A, 102, 106 or 106S, 123, 124 and 111; the BA plan includes CHEM 1A/1B, 128A/B, 129A/B, 155A/B, 102, 108 and 156, BIOL 1A, 1B/BL, 102 and biology electives (7 units), and PHYS 2A and 2B; the BS in Biochemistry plan includes CHEM 155A/B, 110A, 112, 102 and 156, BIOL 1A, 1B/BL and 102, PHYS 2A/2B (4A–4C recommended) and MATH 75 and 76. The catalog is the authority for each degree.
• Capstones and placement years: the honors thesis is noted above; research or internship requirements for non-honors students are not published on the pages read.

2. How admission works

• You apply to the university, not the department: applications go through Cal State Apply. The Admissions list of impacted programs (stated to apply to the 2026–27 and 2027–28 academic years) shows only Biology under the College of Science and Mathematics — chemistry is not on it; the selection page says programs that are not impacted admit students who meet the CSU minimum (section 4). The page carrying the list is titled “Fall Transfer Selection” and does not distinguish freshmen from transfers — for freshman impaction, follow the link on the Admissions freshman page.
• Declaring the major and transferring in: not published on the pages read — ask the College of Science and Mathematics Advising and Resource Center (ARC, 559.278.4150) and the department office.

3. Prerequisites and credit

• High school chemistry, math, physics: the department pages state no specific high school prerequisites; university-level a–g requirements are in section 4, including 3 years of mathematics (4 recommended) and 2 years of laboratory science (3 recommended). The sample plans start with general chemistry CHEM 1A/1AL and MATH 75, which suggests the major starts from university general chemistry and calculus, but entry conditions for each course (such as math placement) are not published on the pages read.
• AP/IB credit: the site says AP and IB scores can satisfy a–g requirements (section 4); credit toward university chemistry courses is not published on the pages read.
• Competitions: the pages read do not say how science olympiads are viewed in admissions.

4. Timeline and materials (university level, for chemistry applicants)

• How and when to apply (Admissions freshman page): for first-time freshmen entering in Fall 2027, the page says applications may be started on 1 August 2026 but cannot be completed or submitted until 1 October, with a deadline of 15 January 2027; the application is submitted through Cal State Apply (stated on the international page). Spring 2027 is not open to freshmen. The domestic application fee is not stated on the pages read (the international page gives $70 — see section 6).
• Eligibility (freshman requirements page): a high school diploma or equivalent; the 15-unit “a–g” college-preparatory pattern (history and social science 2 years, English 4, mathematics 3 (4 recommended), laboratory science 2 (3 recommended; one biological and one physical), language other than English 2, visual and performing arts 1, and one elective), each with a C or higher; and an “a–g” GPA of 2.5 or above for California residents or California high school graduates and 3.0 or above for non-residents and out-of-state graduates, calculated on a–g courses after 9th grade with an extra point for approved honors, AP, IB or college courses. AP, IB and CLEP scores must be sent by the testing agency; scores listed on a transcript are not accepted for a–g.
• Testing: the freshman requirements page says Fresno State uses a Multi-Factor Admissions Score (MFAS) and that SAT and ACT scores are no longer used or considered for admission eligibility or in the MFAS; eligibility is determined from self-reported information in Cal State Apply. For applicants just below the GPA line, the page says up to eight additional a–g courses above the 30-semester minimum are considered, and graduates of high schools in the local area receive 100 additional “Local Advantage” points.
• Recommendations and essay: the freshman pages do not say domestic applicants need recommendation letters or a personal statement; the international page calls a personal statement (statement of purpose) “encouraged but not required” — see section 6.
• Impacted majors: the site says some programs are “impacted”, meaning that meeting CSU minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission, non-local applicants need a higher threshold, and the GPA requirement is set only after the priority filing period according to the number of applications, competitiveness and available spaces; other programs admit students who meet the CSU minimum. The freshman requirements page says this applies to “certain majors”, while the transfer requirements page says admission is competitive “in all majors” — the site is not consistent.
• Entry requirement: all new students must submit proof of immunizations under CSU Executive Order 803.

5. US domestic applicants

• California residents and out-of-state students: an a–g GPA of 2.5 for California residents or graduates and 3.0 for non-residents meets the eligibility line (section 4); meeting it does not guarantee admission, and impacted programs have a higher threshold.
• Tuition (tuition and fees table, Fall 2026): for full-time undergraduates (6.1+ units) the mandatory fees and tuition total $4,317.50 per semester (including a tuition fee of $3,419.00 plus health services, student body, union, instructionally related activities and other fees); part-time (0–6 units) is $2,879.50. The table adds that from Fall 2026 out-of-state, non-resident and international students pay a Non-Resident Tuition Fee of $471.00 per unit on top of these amounts. Check the latest table; this guide does not add the items up.
• Scholarships and aid: the chemistry department page lists several endowed scholarships (section 9); how to apply is not published on the pages read — ask the department office and the university scholarship office. Rules for the FAFSA or California aid are not stated on the pages read — check the university’s financial aid and scholarships office.

6. International applicants

• Application and deadlines (International Office undergraduate page; no year is printed — check that it is for 2027 entry): Fall — applicants outside the US: opens 1 August, deadline 1 July; applicants in the US: opens and closes 1 August; Spring — all students: opens 1 July, closes 1 November. An international student is someone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident and holds or intends to hold F-1 or J-1 status. Apply through Cal State Apply with a $70 non-refundable fee, or use the paper application.
• Documents: official English proficiency scores (institution code 4312); transcripts, mark sheets or grade reports with a literal English translation; a copy of the graduation certificate or diploma; the passport photo page; a personal statement (statement of purpose; a recommendation from a principal or teacher is “encouraged but not required”); and financial documents no older than six months with an affidavit of support covering at least one school year (these last two can be submitted after acceptance). SAT/ACT scores are not listed as admission documents, but see the English options below.
• English requirements: any one of the following — the new TOEFL iBT (from 21 January 2026) 3.5, or the earlier TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 6.0 (or 5.5 in each section), Duolingo 100, SAT Reading and Writing 550, ACT English 22, AP English Language or Literature 3+, GTEC 1095, PTE 45, iTEP 3.6, IB English A HL 4 and others, as well as completing the university’s American English Institute advanced level or listed language-center levels. Exemptions: three or more years in US high schools, or three years of full-time study in the listed English-medium countries or regions (Australia, Canada (Quebec needs a demonstration), Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and others).
• Estimated yearly costs (International Office fees page): undergraduate (12 units per semester), 2026–27 — tuition and fees $19,921, food and housing $11,634, books and insurance $2,879, printed total $34,434; 2027–28 — tuition and fees $20,979, food and housing $11,634, books and insurance $2,978, printed total $35,591. Dependents (spouse and children only) need an additional $12,000 per year of financial proof. International students must buy the university’s pre-approved UnitedHealthcare policy (sponsored students excepted, though they should still buy travel insurance).
• Scholarships: the International Office pages do not describe scholarships for international freshmen; not published on the pages read — ask the International Office.

7. Chinese applicants

• Gaokao and Chinese high school records: the pages read do not say whether the gaokao is considered or how it would be used, and give no China-specific guidance on the Chinese school system — not published; ask the International Office (the email listed on its pages is intladmissions@csufresno.edu).
• General requirements that apply: Chinese applicants follow the international route — Cal State Apply, the $70 fee, a high school transcript and graduation certificate with English translation, English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and others, or SAT Reading and Writing 550 or ACT English 22), a passport copy and financial documents. Because the university does not use the SAT or ACT to decide eligibility (section 4), these tests matter to Chinese applicants mainly as one way to show English.
• AP/IB credit: the site says AP and IB scores can be used to satisfy a–g subject requirements; credit for university courses is not published on the pages read.

8. Transfer students

• Timeline (Admissions transfer page): for Fall 2027, applications may be started from 1 August and submitted from 1 October, with a deadline of 15 January 2027; Spring 2027 closed on 31 August 2026. All students must meet admission requirements by the end of Spring 2027; courses still in progress in summer 2027 do not count.
• Lower-division transfer (1–59 units): a–g high school courses, a diploma or GED, the freshman eligibility index, an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 (which may not be enough for high-demand majors and campuses), good standing at the last institution, and a C- or better in the foundation courses in written communication (A2/1A) and mathematics or quantitative reasoning (B4/2).
• Upper-division transfer (60+ units): at least 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units), an overall GPA of at least 2.00, good standing, and 30 semester units of general education including the four “Golden 4” foundation courses (oral communication, written composition, critical thinking, mathematics or quantitative reasoning), each with a C- or better. The page says no college freshmen or sophomores and no second-bachelor’s-degree applicants (except nursing) are admitted.
• Transfer Success Pathway: the site says it guarantees admission to a student’s major at the CSU campus of their choice; its conditions are not described on the pages read — see the website.
• International transfers: documents are similar to the freshman route (translated transcripts, financial documents, passport), and lower-division transfers (1–59 units) also submit a high school transcript and graduation certificate; the page says GPA varies by major and prerequisite courses are required for some majors. Deadlines are those in the international table in section 6.
• Transfer prerequisites and GPA thresholds for chemistry are not published on the pages read — ask the College of Science and Mathematics Advising and Resource Center (ARC, 559.278.4150).

9. Accreditation, scholarships, research and outcomes

• Accreditation: the BS in Chemistry is ACS-certified (department page); whether the other degrees are certified is not published on the pages read.
• Department scholarships: the department lists endowed awards — the Professor Kenneth W. Chan Scholarship (chemistry students with academic excellence and promise), the Helen Gigliotti Biochemistry Scholarship (outstanding performance in CHEM 155A), the Stephen and Risa Rodemeyer Organic Chemistry Scholarship (outstanding performance in CHEM 128B) and the Stanley M. and Frances C. Ziegler Physical Chemistry Scholarship (outstanding physical chemistry students interested in graduate study). How to apply and the amounts are not published on the pages read.
• Research and activities: the department page says students can do research under faculty mentors, and the department has an American Chemical Society–affiliated Chem Club; how undergraduate research is applied for and credited is not published on the pages read.
• Outcomes: the college page says chemistry graduates have gone on to graduate and professional degrees at research institutions, medical schools and pharmacy schools, and the department page says BA graduates have entered medical, dental, pharmacy and other health professional schools. The site prints no employment or placement statistics.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Cal State Apply; Fall 2027 deadline 15 January 2027; a–g courses with C or better; a–g GPA 2.5 (California residents) or 3.0 (out-of-state); SAT/ACT not used
• Chemistry is not on the impacted-programs list

International applicants (including China):

• Cal State Apply and $70 fee; translated transcripts and diploma; English proficiency (new TOEFL iBT 3.5, earlier iBT 61, IELTS 6.0 and others); passport; financial documents and affidavit; personal statement; Fall deadline for applicants outside the US 1 July (check the year)
• How the gaokao is used is not published; ask the International Office

After entry:

• Conditions for declaring chemistry and the required courses follow the catalog; the honors program needs a 3.5 GPA and a February application

Transfer students:

• Upper-division transfer 60+ units, GPA 2.00, Golden 4 foundation courses with C- or better; Fall 2027 deadline 15 January 2027

Sources: California State University, Fresno, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Degrees and programs; B.S. Chemistry; B.A. Chemistry; B.S. Biochemistry; BS Chemistry academic plan; BA Chemistry academic plan; BS Biochemistry academic plan; Chemistry Honors Program; Chemistry scholarships; College undergraduate degrees; Freshman application and deadlines; Freshman requirements; Impaction and selection; Transfer application and deadlines; Transfer requirements; International undergraduate admission; International transfer admission; International estimated yearly costs; Tuition and fees. This is for the 2027 entry cycle. Where a page prints no year (for example the international deadlines), check that a date is for 2027 entry; the fee table shows Fall 2026 figures, while the international cost page also gives 2027–28 estimates. Check Fresno State’s website for the latest.