Stony Brook Undergraduate Bulletin - Fall 2024Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Simons STEM Scholars Honors Program (SSP)

Office:Heavy Engineering, Room 230
Phone: (631) 632 8306
E-mail: simonsscholars@stonybrook.edu
Website: stonybrook.edu/SimonsScholars

The Simons STEM Scholars Honors Program (SSP) offers educational and research training opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for undergraduate students with a personal commitment to the advancement of historically underrepresented groups in STEM. The mission of the program is to recruit, nurture and develop a diverse group of high achieving students who have an interest in graduate study (PhD or MD/PhD) and research in STEM related disciplines. Students also must have an interest in the advancement of historically underrepresented groups in STEM. The four-year curriculum is designed to promote academic excellence, provide research career readiness for the PhD pathway, and foster a cohort community through service and leadership.

Acceptance

Simons STEM Scholars program admissions are based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Applicants must have a demonstrated aptitude and interest in science, technology, mathematics, and/or engineering (STEM) as evidenced by factors such as mathematics and/or science courses in high school, above-average grades, research or other relevant experience. Strong applicants should have demonstrated a personal commitment to the advancement of underrepresented populations in STEM and a commitment to the research and/or PhD pathway. Additionally, applicants have presented a strong collaborative nature, leadership qualities and above all else an outstanding character.

Simons STEM Scholars does not accept transfer students. Historically, students have had an average High School GPA of a 97-100 and an average SAT in the 99th percentile. Most students have taken calculus prior to their arrival on campus and have conducted some form of research.

Curriculum

The core of the SSP Honors program curriculum emphasizes not only academic excellence in STEM, but a deep understanding of the PhD and MD/PhD pathway as it relates to the experiences of populations that have been historically underrepresented in their respective fields.

Through their tenure at Stony Brook University, in addition to required research engagement, research talks and graduate school visits during the semesters, the Simons STEM Scholars will take a series of courses, modeled after the success of the Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Honors curriculum, which embed graduate school readiness through a combination of coursework and practicum in required research/career exploration, leadership, and professional development experiences that are adapted to focus on post PhD options as a career path. Moreover, these courses will satisfy elements of the Stony Brook Curriculum, to ensure that students maintain their progress towards graduation in four years.

Course Sequence

A SSP Honors student should take the course sequence (or their equivalents) described in the following table. Successful completion of the course sequence will result in Honors designation on transcript

	Fall	Spring
First Year	SSP 101 (1c)	SSP 105 (1c)
			Second Year	SSP 205 (1c) (offered both semesters)
			Second Year	SSP 380 (3c) (offered both semesters)
			Third Year	SSP 305 (1c) (offered both semesters)
Fourth Year	SSP 475 (3c) (offered both semesters) SSP 477 (2c) (offered both semesters) SSP 487 (2c) (offered both semesters) SSP 488 (2c) (offered both semesters)

Students will take SSP 101 and SSP 105 in the first year.
SSP 380 must be completed within the first 2 years
SSP 205 and 305 are to be taken in that order.
Scholars must complete a 2 credit practicum course

The SSP Honors Curriculum will fulfill the general education requirements though the courses listed below:

SSP 105/205 = GLO

SSP 205 = DIV

SSP 475 = EXP+

SSP 487 = EXP+

SSP 488 = EXP+

Transcript Notation

Requirements to have Simons STEM Scholars Honors transcript notation:

Pass all of the courses of the SSP Honors curriculum with a B or higher grade
Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Not be found guilty of academic dishonesty

Students who receive a grade of B- or lower in a SSP Honors course (those with the SSP designator) may request to repeat the course toward SSP Honors requirements.