Q: I came to Stony Brook in Fall 2001, but was admitted to the computer science major in Fall 2002. Which graduation requirements should I follow?
A: Your matriculation date determines which requirements apply, in your case, Fall 2001. CSE graduation checklists for the last few academic years are available at http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/undergrad/csprogram/index.html

Q: How many upper-division CSE courses per semester should I take?
A: Most CSE majors carry a semester load of 2-3 upper-level CSE courses, plus 2-3 courses in mathematics, natural sciences, or DEC. Four upper-level CSE courses in one semester represents a heavy load.

Q: I have taken computer science courses at another school. Can I get transfer credit for these?
A: To get transfer credit for a course similar to CSE 113, 114, 213, or 214 you need to take and pass a corresponding proficiency exam. (These exams are offered at the beginning of each fall and spring semester.) For all other courses, submit completed Transfer Course Evaluation Forms, along with detailed course information such as syllabus or project descriptions, to the Computer Science Undergraduate Office so that we can determine whether the courses are equivalent to any of the courses we teach.

Q: I am not doing well in one of my CSE courses. Can I P/NC the course and repeat it next semester?
A: The P/NC option is not available in courses required for the CSE major. You may withdraw from the course, though.

Q: I am not doing well in one of my CSE electives. Can I P/NC the course and take a different course next semester?
A: You may take a different course next semester, but the P/NC option is not available in courses required for the CSE major, regardless of whether or not you need the course for graduation purposes.

Q: I have completed the natural science sequence in physics. Which additional natural science courses do I need for CSE major requirements?
A: You need to take two courses in addition to the sequence. You may choose courses that are part of another sequence, i.e., BIO, CHE, or GEO, or courses from the following list:

AST 203, 205, 341, 346, 347;
BIO 310, 314, 315, 316, 317, 320, 325, 328, 334, 339,
340, 341, 343, 344, 346, 354, 359, 361, 362, 380;
CHE 198, 301, 302, 321, 322;
GEO 101, 103, 305, 306, 309, 310, 315, 316, 318;
PHY 251, 300, 301, 302, 303, 306, 308.

Q: Can I get transfer credit for natural science courses I took at another school?
A: We can only evaluate only computer science courses, other courses are evaluated by the departments offering them. Some courses, mostly from schools in the New York metropolitan area, have been pre-approved for transfer credit; check with the Stony Brook Transfer Office for detailed information. If your courses have not been preapproved, submit Transfer Course Evaluation Forms to the department(s) offering them.

Q: Can I count the same course towards both the core CSE / ISE requirements and towards Specialization or Honors program requirements?
A: Yes. For example, CSE 408 can simultaneously be used to fulfill the CSE elective requirements, the Honors class requirements, and the Information assurance class requirement.