Change of Major Process
Changing your major is a multi-step process and specialized to each major. Students must have conversations with appropriate offices and departments to see if changing their major is possible.
What you should know
- Students must complete at least one quarter at Cal Poly before they are eligible to enter into an Individualized Change of Major Agreement (ICMA).
- Students are expected to review Cal Poly's Change of Major Policy in full.
- Students are allowed one Individualized Change of Major Agreement per major. Students who do not meet the conditions of their Individualized Change of Major Agreement will not be issued another Individualized Change of Major Agreement for that major.
- Students must be able to graduate in a timely manner. A realistic graduation plan may be required to demonstrate whether this is feasible.
Eligibility
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences uses specific criteria to determine if a student is eligible to change to a major with in the college. Student must prove:
- Minimum Cal Poly GPA requirements
- The number of units completed
- They can complete a new major within a reasonable timeframe
The department must also have space available for the student in the major.
To determine your major specific eligibility, please submit the change of major inquiry form.
Complete the Change of Major Inquiry Form:
- Complete the Change of Major Inquiry Form through your Cal Poly Portal
- Instructions found here: https://advising.calpoly.edu/change-major
- Your eligibility status will be updated in the change of major portlet along with the next steps.
Change of Major Criteria
Once a student is deemed eligible to change a major into a College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences department, there are specific criteria that must be met.
The completion of two of the following course choices.
- AGB 2212
- AGB 2214
- AGB 2260
- MATH 1267 OR STAT 1210
Student must achieve a grade of C or better in these two courses.
Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.8 during the ICMA term
The completion of at least one of the following courses with satisfactory grade:
- AGC 1101 OR other major-specific intro AGC course (determined by department head)
The completion of at least one of the following courses with satisfactory grade:
- AGC 1101 OR other major-specific intro AGC course (determine by department head)
The completion of the following courses:
- CHEM 1120 (CHEM 127) and BIO 1151 (BIO 161) or ASCI 1101 (ASCI 112) or ASCI 1102/1103
Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the ICMA term, in their CPSLO GPA, and in their Higher Ed GPA.
The completion of one of two of the following course choices.
- MATH 221 (1267)
- MATH 141 (1261) or add to required course in next semester.
Students must achieve a grade of C- or better in these two courses
Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 during the ICMA term.
The completion of one of two of the following course choices.
- Math 141 (1261)
- Math 142/143 (1262)
Students must achieve a grade of C- or better in these two courses.
Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 during the ICMA term.Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 during the ICMA term.
The completion of the following courses.
- DSCI 2229 (DSCI 229) or DSCI 2230 (DSCI 230)
- CHEM 1120 (CHEM 127) or BIO 1151 (BIO 161) or ASCI 1101 (ASCI 112)
Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the ICMA term, in their CPSLO GPA, and in their Higher Ed GPA.
The completion of two of the following course choices.
- Course 1 - Select one of the following: ERSC 1144 (Fall only), SS 1120, OR GEOL 2240
- Course 2 - Select one of the following: CHEM 1120, OR BOT 112
Students must achieve a grade of C or better in these two courses.
Maintain a minimum Cal Poly GPA or Term GPA of a 2.500.
A Cal Poly cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher OR a term GPA of 2.8 or higher of full-time enrollment when the ICMA is in progress (at least 12 letter graded units).
The completion of two courses, one from each course list below.
- EIM 1101 or EIM 2255 (B grade or better)
- Enrollment in EIM 1101 is limited to EIM majors only. Non-majors must “crash” the course the first day of the quarter. Only one course may be taken while the ICMA is in progress.
- MATH 1004/1006/1007/1267, STAT 1110/1210, or BUS 2212/AGB 2214 (C grade or better)
The completion of two courses, one from each course list below.
- Course 1 - Select one of the following: NR 1142, NR 2218, BIO 2215, OR BIO 2217
- Course 2 - Select one of the following: SS 1120, CHEM 1120, BOT 1121 OR BIO 1114
Students must achieve a grade of C or better in these two courses.
Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 during the ICMA term.
The completion of two of the following course choices.
- CHEM 1120 or equivalent – C grade minimum
- FDSC 1110 or FSN 1111 - B grade minimum (advised as free elective for students exploring outside their current major, if this is an option in your plan)
Students must achieve grade minimum stated or better in these two courses.
Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.75 during the ICMA term(s).
The completion of two courses, one from each course list below.
- Course 1 - Select one of the following: NR 1141 (Fall only), NR 2218, OR NR 2208
- Course 2 - Select one of the following: SS 1120, CHEM 1120, BOT 1121 OR BIO 1114
Students must achieve a grade of C or better in these two courses.
Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 during the ICMA term.
The completion of two of the following course choices.
- CHEM 1120 or equivalent – B grade minimum
- FSN 2202– B grade minimum (advised as free elective for students exploring outside their current major, if this is an option in your plan)
Students must achieve grade minimum stated or better in these two courses.
Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the ICMA term(s).
Students must achieve a grade of C or better in PLSC 1120 and PLSC 1120 L – Introduction to Horticultural Plant Sciences (associated lab).
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3.
Students will be required to take two specified courses for the ICMA and meet a specific GPA requirement.
Requirements included in the ICMA to the Wine & Viticulture major are:
- The completion of two of the following course choices:
- WVIT 1102
- AGB 2214
- CHEM 1120
- ECON 2040
- BOT 1121
- Achieve a minimum Cal Poly GPA of 2.75 OR a minimum term GPA of 3.0 during the length of the ICMA.
Ready to move forward?
Information and processes are available on the university's Academic Advising webpage. For questions specific to your major, reach out to the proper college Academic Advisor.