Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL ACADEMICS
- What are the important academic deadlines for the Fall, 2008 semester?
- What are the DECs and why does Stony Brook require them?
- How do I fulfill the skill 3 language requirement?
- How do I meet with an Advisor?
- Advising centers by college or program:
- What do the academic remarks on my transcript mean?
- What are the criteria for academic standing?
- How do I read the degree progress report?
- Where can I get extra academic help?
- How do I transfer credits from another university?
- What is the difference between a drop and a withdrawal?
- What happens when I repeat/retake a course?
- What does U1, U2, U3, and U4 standing mean?
MAJORS & MINORS
- What if I am undecided about my major?
- How do I declare/change my major or minor?
- What classes do I need for my major/minor?
COURSE REGISTRATION
- Can I search by DEC category when making a schedule?
- How and when will I register for my classes?
- How many classes can I take?
- Can I take more than 19 credits a semester?
- What are the P/NC and Withdrawal options?
GRADUATION & POST-GRADUATE PLANS
- How/When can I apply for graduation?
- How do I prepare to attend medical school after I graduate?
- How do I prepare to attend law school after I graduate?
- How do I sign up for an Internship?
What are the important academic deadlines for the Fall, 2008 semester?
For deadlines and events, students can view the Academic Calendars located on the Registrar’s website
here.
Information regarding the Winter session can be found
here.
Students should first consult with an academic advisor before making any changes to your schedule.
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What are the DECs and why does Stony Brook require them?
The DEC is a liberal arts foundation for your study at Stony Brook, and gives you exposure to many different fields and disciplines including the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The DEC includes various categories from A through K (i.e., CHE 131-E means that Chemistry 131 is a DEC E class.), which all need to be completed to graduate. Note that DEC requirements differ for students in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. DEC categories A and C require you to earn a C or better in each course, while the remaining DEC categories require a D or better in each course.
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How do I fulfill the skill 3 language requirement?
The skill 3 language requirement is required for all students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Journalism, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, and the College of Business. You will fulfill this requirement upon successful completion of a 112 or 101 level language course. You must earn a C or better to satisfy the requirement. You can also fulfill this requirement if you received a grade of 85 or higher on a foreign language Regents exam taken in high school or by taking a Challenge Exam, offered by the Academic & Pre-Professional Advising Center. Click
here more for information about the Challenge Exam.
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How/when do I meet with an Advisor?
If you're a sophomore, junior, or senior in the College of Arts & Sciences just call 631-632-7082, option 2, to schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor. Or, if you'd prefer, you can come to our "Walk-in Wednesdays" anytime between the hours of 10:00 and 3:00. Students in other colleges or programs should meet with their assigned advisors, see below.
You should meet with your academic advisor whenever you have questions/concerns about your academics. It is recommended that you meet with an academic advisor and your major advisor every semester prior to registration for the upcoming semesters to ensure you are meeting your curriculum requirements.
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Advising centers by college or program:
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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 withdrew from course by 9th week of the semester; 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 130); student receives credit for class but no grade is factored into GPA.
P - Pass: Student selected P/NC option by the 9th week in the semester; student earned a “D” or better in the course; 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 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 members report “NR” if a student is listed on their roster but has no record of that student ever attending 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.
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What are the criteria for academic standing?
There are various levels of academic standing that are outlined in the updated, on-line Undergraduate Bulletin. Click here.
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How do I read the degree progress report?
Instructions on how to read the degree progress report can be found here.
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Where can I get extra academic help?
Students can make appointments with an academic advisor, their major advisor, or professor/T.A. There are a variety of tutoring services available. Click here for more information.
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How do I transfer credits from another university?
Information on transferring credits can be found on the Transfer Office website, click here and go to the section entitled "Transfer Credit Policies."
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What is the difference between a drop and a withdrawal?
Students can drop a class by removing it from their schedule before the drop/add deadline, within the first ten days of class. The class will be entirely removed from their schedule and transcript. Removing a class after this point 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 here.
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What happens when I repeat/retake a course?
Information regarding repeating/retaking a course can be found in the bulletin, here.
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What does U1, U2, U3, and U4 standing mean?
These codes refer to class standing. U1 is a Freshman who has 0-23 credits earned, U2 is a Sophomore with 24-56 credits earned, U3 is a Junior with 57-84 credits earned, and U4 is a senior who has 85 or more credits earned.
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MAJORS & MINORS
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 requirement. You should take only 100-level and 200-level courses in your first semester. You do not need to declare a major until you have earned 45 credits toward your degree, but it is important to find some direction during your first year. The
Career Center is a good resource to help explore your major and career options. You may also want to consider taking CAR110, a course designed to help you select a major. You can also schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Academic and Pre-Professional Advising Center. You can view a list of
majors offered, here. For information about minors please click
here.
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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, dropping a major and minor. Major/Minor Declaration forms are available in the bins outside the Academic and Pre-Professional Advising Center, and also 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 visit our website for more information, click
here.
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What classes do I need for my major/minor?
Students can view this information in the 2007-2009 Bulletin online located
here. For information about minors please click
here. However, it is recommended that students meet with an advisor in their major/minor department every semester to ensure they are on track with their requirements. The Undergraduate Program Director contact information sheet is available in the bins outside the Academic & Pre-Professional Advising Center and
here.
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COURSE REGISTRATION
Can I search by DEC category when making a schedule?
Yes. On the class search page on SOLAR, click on the pull-down menu next to “Rqmnt Designation”.
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How and when will I register for my classes?
You can register for class 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 Fall and around April 1st for the Spring. Access to your enrollment appointment date can be viewable on the SOLAR system under “Student Records & Registration”. It is recommended that students have their schedule already created prior to their Enrollment Appointment to ensure a swift and smooth registration experience. For further help you can visit the online demo
here.
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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.
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Can I take more than 19 credits a semester?
Taking more than 19 credits per semester is referred to as an academic overload. Please follow this
link for more information on this process. Academic overloads may not exceed 23 credits.
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What are the P/NC and Withdrawal options?
These are grading options that are alternatives to the standard grading format (A,B,C,D) Special restrictions apply, see “Top 10 Things to Know”, below. These options can be access 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 P/NC and Withdrawal deadline.
Please speak to an Academic Advisor if you are considering any of these options. Additional information regarding the P/NC can be found in the Bulletin
here.
TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW:
- Neither the "P", "W" or "NC" are factored into your GPA.
- Earning a "P" in a course does NOT fulfill DEC or major requirements, although you will earn the credits toward the number you need to graduate and you will earn upper division credit for classes 300 and above.
- You can't P/NC a class that is S/U or A, B, C/ U graded (check the bulletin for more info).
- Full time students can P/NC up to 8 credits/semester; Part time students can P/NC up to 4 credits/semester.
- Withdrawing from a course from the last day of add/drop without a “W” to the withdrawal deadline with a “W” will result in a "W" on your transcript.
- If you are registered as a full time student, you cannot withdraw from a class if it will put you below 12 cr. You might want to consider the P/NC option to maintain full time status.
- It is not necessarily better to P/NC or withdraw from a course, speak to an advisor to figure out which might be best for you!
- Talk to your professor about how you are doing in a course before deciding on an option because you might be doing better than you think!
- Remember to verify the semester deadline for P/NC and withdrawal!
- Academic Advising is here to help!
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GRADUATION & POST-GRADUATE PLANS
How/when can I apply for graduation?
Students are able to apply for graduation as soon as they earn 102 credits. To apply for graduation, click on the Degree Progress/Graduation link on your SOLAR main page. NOTE: This link will only appear once you have earned 102 credits.
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How do I prepare to attend medical school after I graduate?
The specific courses you take will depend upon the score you earn on the math placement exam. You should also attend the various information sessions during the academic year to learn more about medical school and other opportunities in the health professions. More information is available
here.
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How do I prepare to attend law school after I graduate?
Law school does not require a specific undergraduate major or curriculum. More information is available
here.
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How do I sign up for an internship?
Students can find information about internships at the Career Center and on their website
here. Students can also consult with their major advisor for major-specific internships.