What are the University’s general education requirements?

• The University expects every graduate to have liberal arts foundation and exposure to many different fields and disciplines including the arts, humanities, sciences, and social studies
• Some students follow the Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC) while others follow the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC), depending on their semester and year of entry at Stony Brook.

Who is following the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) and who is following the Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC)?

SBC

• Starting Fall 2014, all new freshmen and rematriculating* students will be following the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC).
• Starting Spring 2015, all new transfers and second bachelor’s degree students will be following the SBC.

DEC

• All other continuing students will follow the Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC) requirements.
• *Rematriculating students should speak with an academic advisor, and may request an exception to graduate under the DEC requirements.

What must be completed to satisfy DEC and SBC?

DEC

• Students following the DEC must complete skills 1-4 and DECs A-K.
  • Note that students in the college of Engineering and Applied Sciences follow a modified DEC.
• Students who complete DEC A, DEC C, and skill 3 (101, 112 or higher level of a language) must earn a C or better to satisfy the requirement; all other DEC categories must be passed with a D or better to satisfy the requirement.

SBC

• Students following the SBC must complete 18 or 19 required objectives. Read more about the DEC & SBC requirements in the Undergraduate bulletin.

Why did the University develop the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC)?

• The DEC general education system had been in effect since 1991.
• Given that much has changed in the world since the implementation of DEC, the University’s faculty wanted to evaluate the current general education requirements and develop a curriculum best suited to today’s 21st century student.
• After more than five years of research, discussion, and planning, the University unveiled the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC).
• The SBC included some of the elements of DEC, but encourages a more interdisciplinary teaching approach and focuses on learning outcomes.
• The SBC includes several new course offerings that are also available to students following the DEC, and has some new requirements in areas such as understanding technology, critical and ethical reasoning, and speaking before an audience.
• The SBC also offers an optional experiential learning opportunity, encouraging students to participate in an internship, study abroad, research, or other applicable activity.

Where do I go for academic advising?

• Stony Brook University offers a full complement of academic advising resources for undergraduates.
• Support includes advising about general educations, major & minor degree requirements, as well as comprehensive communication aimed at prompting student success.
• Click here to access more details on the advising resources provided.

What do the academic remarks on my transcript mean?

• Q – Academic Dishonesty

  • Student who has been charged with academic dishonesty
  • Must take Q course to have it removed
  • Factors as “F” into GPA

• I – Incomplete

  • The incomplete notation is at the discretion of the instructor
  • Student must communicate with instructor to complete coursework
  • Otherwise, grade becomes “I/F” and factors as “F” into GPA

• W – Withdrawal

  • Student does not receive credit for course and no grade is factored into GPA

• ** – No Grade Reported

  • No grade has been reported
  • Student should contact faculty member

• U – Unsatisfactory

  • (in courses such as MAP 103, WRT 101/102, FYS 101, CHE 130)
  • Student does not receive credit for the course, but no grade is factored into GPA

• S – Satisfactory

  • (in courses such as FYS 101. CHE 103)
  • Student receives credit for class, but no grade is factored into GPA

• P – Pass

  • Student selected G/P/NC option by the 9th week in the semester
  • Student earned a passing grade in the course below their desired grade threshold
  • Student receives credit for the course, but no grade is factored into GPA and no DEC credit earned
  • In most cases, no major/minor credit earned

• NC – No Credit

  • Student selected G/P/NC option by the 9th week in the semester
  • Student earned an “F” in the course
  • Student does not receive credit for the course, but no grade is factored into GPA

• NR – No Record

  • Faculty member report “NR” if a student is listed on their roster but has no record of that student ever attending the class
  •  An “NR” becomes an “N/F” and is factored into the GPA as an “F”

Please consult with an academic advisor for further explanation of these remarks.

What is the difference between a drop and a withdrawal?

Drop

• Students can drop a class by removing it from their schedule before the add/drop deadline, within the first 10 days of classes.
• The class will be entirely removed from their schedule and transcript.

Withdrawal

• Removing a class after this point, through the 9th week of the semester, will be a withdrawal and a “W” will appear as a grade for the class on their transcript.
• Please note that students cannot drop below 12 credits for full-time status.
• Please refer to the Registrar’s academic calendar for deadline information.

What does U1, U2, U3, and U4 standing mean?

• These codes refer to class standing.

• U1

  • freshmen
  • 0-23 credits earned

• U2

  • sophomores
  • 24-56 credits earned

• U3

  • juniors
  • 57-84 credits earned

• U4

  • seniors
  • 85 or more credits earned

What does it mean to audit a class?

• Auditing refers to the practice of attending a course for informational instruction only.
• An auditor does not receive academic credit for the course, nor does the University maintain any record of the auditors attendance in the course. 
• In general, auditors are expected to refrain from participating in class discussions and from turning in or asking for grading of homework, term papers, or examinations.
• For more information, please refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin under “Auditing.”

What if I am undecided about my major?

• Start exploring by taking at least one elective course each semester, one that might also fulfill a DEC or SBC requirement.
• You do not need to declare a major until you have earned 45 credits towards your degree, but it is important to find some direction.
• The Career Center is a good resource to help explore your major and career options.
• You may also want to consider CAR 110, a course designed to help you select a major.
• You can also come in and speak with an advisor in Academic and Transfer Advising Services.
• Please click here to view a list of majors and minors offered at Stony Brook University.

How do I declare/change my major or minor?

• Students are required to declare a major upon earning 45 credits.
• The student will need to bring a Major/Minor Declaration form to the prospective major department to be signed.
• The student then returns the form to the registrar’s office.
• This is also the same procedure for changing, adding, and dropping a major or minor.
• Major/Minor Declaration forms are available on the Registrar’s website here.
• Please be aware that majors within the College of Business and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences require a separate application process.
  • Please click here for more information.

Where can I search for classes when making a schedule?

• On the class search page on SOLAR, you can search for classes by DEC, SBC, or use SBU Class Find.
• You can also view a video tutorial on how to do this.

How and when will I register for my classes?

• You can register for classes on the date prescribed by your Enrollment Appointment.
• Your Enrollment Appointment will be viewable about a week prior to registration, around late October for the Winter and Spring semester and around early April for the Summer and Fall Semester.
• Access to your Enrollment Appointment date can be viewable on the SOLAR system under “Student Records & Registration.”
• For help on how to find your Enrollment Appointment, please watch this video tutorial.
• It is recommended that students have their schedule already created prior to their Enrollment Appointment to ensure a swift and smooth registration experience.

How many classes can I take?

• Full-time students usually enroll in four or five classes (an average of 12-16 credits).
• Full-time students must maintain a minimum of 12 credits, and part-time can take up to a maximum of 11.
• Students can register for a maximum of 17 credits until one week prior to the start of classes, when the limit will be raised to 19 credits.

What does the Enrollment Appointment mean?

• The Enrollment Appointment is the first available time that students are able to register for courses on SOLAR.
• It is recommended to have a schedule already planned out before the Enrollment Appointment date to ensure a swift registration experience.

Can I take more than 19 credits a semester?

• Taking more than 19 credits per semester or more than 9 credits in one summer session is referred to an academic overload.
• The criteria for an overload is based on the following

  • Cumulative GPA 3.0 or Higher

    • You are automatically eligible to register for up to 23 credits if you meet the following criteria – no petition is needed:
      • have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
      • have no incomplete or Q grades on your academic transcript
      • have completed at least one semester at Stony Brook

    •  Cumulative GPA 2.50-2.99

      • You are eligible to petition for an overload for up to 23 credits, if you meet the following criteria:
        • have a cumulative GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
        • have no incomplete or Q grades on your academic transcript
        • have completed at least one semester at Stony Brook

    • Cumulative GPA Less Than 2.5

      • You are not eligible for an overload.

What are the G/P/NC and Withdrawal options?

What

• These are grading options that are alternatives to the standard grading format (A, B, C, D)
• Special restrictions apply, see “Top 10 Thinks to Know.”

How

• These options can be accessed in your SOLAR  account.
• Under “Class Schedule” select “Edit” and then select the course you wish to change.
• REMEMBER, these classes cannot be changed back after the G/P/NC and Withdrawal deadline.

GPNC

• For more information, please watch the G/P/NC video tutorial.

Withdrawal

• A mark of “W” is recorded with the student withdraws from a course after the first 10 days of classes through the 9th week of the semester.
• The “W” is used to indicate that the student withdrew after the end of the add/drop period.
• Additional information regarding G/P/NC can be found in the online Undergraduate Bulletin under the section “Graded/Pass/No Credit Option (GPNC).”

Can I use the G/P/NC grade option for my major courses and general education requirements?

• Yes, however grades of “P” generally do not satisfy major requirements or general education requirements.
• Please consult your advisor for specifics in this matter.
• It can also affect TAP eligibility.
• For more information, please see an advisor in the Academic & Transfer Advising Offices.

How do I sign up for an internship?

• Students can find information about internships at the Career Center and on their website.
• Students can also consult with their major advisor for major-specific internships.

What is the Course Retake Policy?

• Information on the new course retake policy can be found here and on the Bulletin.

Course Retake permission Link:

http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/due/course_retake/index.html