Planning Your Class Schedule
Your first semester at Stony Brook should be focused on exploring those courses which interest you, exploring the wide array of academic departments offered at the University, and exploring courses that satisfy DEC and major requirements.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take evening or weekend classes to complete my degree requirements?
Please note that Stony Brook’s undergraduate degree program is geared
toward daytime students (part-time and full-time), with limited scheduling
of evening classes. The University does not offer online or weekend
undergraduate classes. The University offers courses Monday to Friday, which
necessitates often taking classes three, four, or five days per week
(typically 5 days for science and engineering majors).
How and when will I register for my classes?
You will register for your classes at Orientation with the help of
faculty and academic advisors. During Orientation, you will be introduced to
Stony Brook’s online SOLAR (Student On-Line Access to Records) System. The
SOLAR System allows you to enroll in courses; place yourself onto wait lists
for specific closed courses; confirm enrollment or course changes; and
receive a complete schedule summary including class times, locations, and
instructors. The full listing of courses and course descriptions are online
via Stony Brook’s SOLAR System at
www.stonybrook.edu/solarsystem. You will need your new Stony Brook ID
and birthdate to access the SOLAR System. To begin planning your schedule,
click
here for the class schedule grid.
How many classes should I take?
Full-time students enroll in four or five classes each semester (an
average of 12 to 16 credits). Full-time students must maintain a minimum of
12 credits.
What classes should I take during my first semester as a transfer student?
Begin to take one or two major courses and upper-division classes
(classes at the 300 level and higher). Continue to fulfill your DEC
requirements that are not satisfied. Typically, students complete DECs A-G
first and then DECs H-K when they reach junior standing.
Will I need to enroll in winter and summer session classes at Stony Brook?
Students are not required to complete winter and summer session courses during their studies at Stony Brook, but in order to remain on track for graduation, it may be desirable or necessary to complete a winter or summer course(s) to fulfill pre-requisite classes or re-take a class to earn a required grade. Note that winter and summer courses are not included in the fall/spring tuition rates. For more details, visit
www.stonybrook.edu/summer and
www.stonybrook.edu/winter.
What are DEC requirements and why does Stony Brook require them?
DEC stands for Stony Brook’s Diversified Education Curriculum. 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 Arts and Sciences,
College of Business, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of
Journalism and the School of Marine and Atmospheric 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.
What should I do to fulfill the Skill 3 elementary language requirement?
The Skill 3 elementary language requirement is required for all students
with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, the
School of Journalism and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.
Refer to the Degree Requirements Checklist to see if you have fulfilled this requirement already, click
here. You can fulfill this requirement by taking a
Challenge Exam,
offered by the Academic and Pre-Professional Advising Center, or you can
take a language class. You need to complete through level 101 or 112 with a
C or better to satisfy the requirement.
How do I fulfill the DEC A English Composition requirement?
Most transfer students complete this requirement before attending Stony
Brook by completing an English composition or other equivalent course (three
credits or more) at an accredited United States college or university and
earning a grade of C or better. If you have not fulfilled this requirement
prior to your starting your studies at Stony Brook, you may need to complete
a short essay in the Writing & Rhetoric Office to determine your appropriate
placement. This information will be reviewed with you at your half-day
orientation.
What if I am thinking about going to medical school after I graduate?
Visit the Pre-Health Advising website
here.
You should take chemistry and chemistry lab (a two-semester course), and
calculus in your first year. The specific courses you take will depend upon
the score you earn on the proctored math assessment. You are encouraged to
attend one of the pre-health information sessions held during the academic
year to learn more about applying to medical school. You should also attend
information sessions held in the
Health Sciences Center to
learn more about other opportunities in the health professions.
What if I have no idea what I want to major in?
Start exploring by taking at least one elective course each semester,
one that might even fulfill a DEC requirement. You need to declare a major
once you have earned 45 credits toward your degree. The Academic & Pre Professional Advising Center is a good resource to discuss your academic interests with an advisor who will assist you to select a major that is suited to your academic interest. In addition, you may also want to consider taking the Career Center course CAR 110, a course designed to help you select a major and career options.
When is the last day to change my class schedule?
You have until the end of the tenth day of the semester to add and drop
classes via the SOLAR System. Certain courses, such as writing, cannot be
added after the first week of classes. You should first consult with an
academic advisor before making any changes to your schedule.
Can I withdraw from a class after the first two weeks of classes?
Yes, you have the option to withdraw from one or more classes until the ninth week of the semester, as long as you maintain 12 credits as a full-time student. You can withdraw from a class via the SOLAR System, but a W (withdrawal) will be noted on the transcript. The W carries no credit and is not factored into the GPA. Meet with an advisor for more information on academic options.
Also consult the Academic Calendar to make note of the academic deadlines.