Is a specialization required in order to complete my CSE major requirements?
A specialization is not required in order to complete CSE major requirements; however, you do have the option to select an area of specialization. This allows you to take a set of courses that foster in-depth exploration in the various fields of Computer Science.You can find more information about the various specializations we offer here.
Can I get transfer credit for natural science courses I took at another school?
We can only evaluate computer science courses, other courses are evaluated by the departments offering them. Please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Database to see if your course has already been approved for transfer credit. If your courses have not been preapproved, submit Transfer Course Evaluation Forms to the department(s) offering them.
What are the Natural Science requirements for Computer Science?
Per the Spring 2020 bulletin, CS students must complete at least one lecture/laboratory combinations (BIO 201/204 or BIO 202/204 or BIO 203/204 or CHE 131/133 or CHE 152/154 or PHY 126/133 or PHY 127/133 or PHY 131/133 or PHY 141/133) and additional natural science courses from the following list (AST 203, AST 205, CHE 132, CHE 321, CHE 322, CHE 331, CHE 332, GEO 102, GEO 103, GEO 112, GEO 113, GEO 122, PHY 125, PHY 132, PHY 134, PHY 142, PHY 251, PHY 252) for a total of 9 credits.
If you were admitted prior to Spring 2020, please make sure to refer to the bulletin that corresponds with your requirement term, which can be found here.
I am not doing well in one of my CSE courses. Can I P/NC the course and repeat it next semester?
The G/P/NC option is not available for most CSE courses. Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin for a complete list of courses without the G/P/NC option. If you are looking to retake a course for a second attempt, you must wait until the retake enrollment date, as per the academic calendar. Please follow up with an advisor to discuss your academic concerns. Note: A final grade of P does not satisfy a major requirement.
I have taken computer science courses at another school. Can I get transfer credit for these?
To get transfer credit for a course, please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Database. If the course you are trying to transfer is not in the database, please submit a detailed course syllabus with information such as project descriptions, and a transcript to the Computer Science Undergraduate Office which will then be evaluated. Note, only courses transferred before matriculation can be used for CSE major admission purposes.
How many upper-division CSE courses per semester should I take?
Most CSE majors carry a semester load of 2-3 upper-level CSE courses, plus 2-3 courses in mathematics, natural sciences, or general education requirements. Four or more upper-level CSE courses in one semester represents a heavy course load and would not be advised. Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin for a Sample Course Sequence.
I came to Stony Brook in Fall 2018, but was admitted to the Computer Science major in Fall 2019. Which graduation requirements should I follow?
Per the Undergraduate Bulletin, students are responsible for fulfilling the major and minor requirements as published in the official Undergraduate Bulletin for the semester and year in which the student declares the major or minor, this semester and year is referred to as the "requirement term". Students can find the current Undergraduate Bulletin here and can find past Undergraduate Bulletins here.