Orientation Checklist

Orientation and class selection can be hectic and confusing, so we've compiled a list of things you might find useful to know!

General

  1. The schedule you create at orientation is not binding! Your schedule can be changed on SOLAR anytime up until the end of the second week of classes each semester. Instructions on how to navigate SOLAR and course management can be found here.
  2. There are two sets of curricula you will need to complete to earn your degree: the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) and your primary major (Physics, presumably!). The SBC requires students to take a diverse range of classes, each with a course attribute, such as language (LANG) or technology (TECH). You can find a full description of the SBC requirements here. The Physics major requirements are listed here. Some PHY courses fulfill SBC requirements, but not all. When planning for the long-term, be sure to balance both SBC and major requirements each semester!
  3. Understand your scholarship requirements. Some scholarships, including TAP, have strict requirements on how many degree-applicable credits you must take per semester. Degree-applicable typically means applying towards either SBCs or your primary major. If this applies to you, you will need to be careful about taking too many courses in one semester or transferring too many credits from high school, else you run out of degree-applicable credits later. Information on common forms of financial aid for SBU students can be found here.

For Incoming First Year Students

  1. There are different introductory physics and math course sequences! The Physics Department offers three introductory physics tracks, each with their own pace and level of mathematical rigor. If you're looking for a challenge, the PHY 141/142 Honors sequence might be right for you, or if you have AP Physics C Mechanics and E&M credits, you may only need to take PHY 126! Descriptions of the physics sequences according to the department can be found here. In terms of math courses, we've put together descriptions of the introductory MAT and AMS (applied mathematics and statistics) courses here.
  2. In addition to your introductory physics course, make sure you sign up for PHY 133! There are two introductory lab courses: PHY 133, which is typically taken in the fall, and PHY 134, which is typically taken in the spring. Both in-person and online sections of the lab are available. There is no overwhelming advantage to taking one over the other, although the online section requires the purchase of a lab kit. Be sure to add it to your schedule as soon as you can, because seats fill up fast!
  3. Consider spacing out your SBCs. Many seniors find themselves running out of courses to take in their final semesters. Others wish they saved some SBCs for their difficult junior/senior year semesters, rather than trying to get them out of the way too quickly.

For Transfer Students

  1. For international physics and math courses, ask our undergraduate program director, Dr. Dominik Schneble (dominik.schneble[at]stonybrook.edu or ugpd_phyast[at]stonybrook.edu), if your credits can be applied towards an SBU degree before paying for any evaluations. It could save hundreds of dollars!
  2. DegreeWorks is not always accurate, so don't rely on it alone to determine what you need to graduate. We recommend you always double check with the official SBC and major requirements pages (links above), and use DegreeWorks as a general guide.