Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors Program

• Acceptance
• Curriculum

The WISE Honors Program offers educational and professional science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities for undergraduate students at the University by facilitating individual, institutional, and social change. The main goals of the program are to: (1) promote academic excellence; (2) support professional development; (3) facilitate research opportunities; (4) establish and maintain community outreach; (5) encourage global collaboration; and (6) enact inclusive strategies. The four-year curriculum is designed to promote academics, research, service, and leadership.

Acceptance

WISE Honors 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, above-average scores on the quantitative parts of the SAT or ACT examination or an SAT science or mathematics achievement test. Recent incoming students have had 95-98 high school GPAs, 1420-1540 SAT (critical reading and math) composite scores, and 32-34 ACT composite scores. Strong applicants should have demonstrated interest in the WISE Honors Program mission as shown by extracurricular activities, service, and leadership. 

Transfer students, first-year students and sophomores not initially enrolled in the WISE Honors Program can apply for admission into the program.  Acceptance will be based on quantitative and qualitative (STEM major, personal statement and letters of recommendation from faculty) criteria.

Curriculum

The core of the WISE Honors Program curriculum emphasizes not only academic excellence in STEM, but service and leadership with a deep and rigorous research and career focus. 

1. Course Sequence 

A WISE Honors student should take the course sequence (or their equivalents) described in the following table: 

• Students will take WSE 101  and WSE 105  in the first year.
• WSE Practicum for a total of 2 credits can be taken at the same time or after WSE 381 . This can be accomplished by taking WSE Practicum courses (WSE 475 /WSE 477 /WSE 487 /WSE 488 ). Courses under a different designator may be considered in lieu of WSE Practicum. Students are encouraged to consult with the WISE advisor prior to enrollment.
• Students who enter the WISE Honors program after the first semester of their first year will follow a modified course program according to the time spent in college. For example, those entering as sophomores must take WSE 101  and WSE 105  or substitute equivalent courses.
• Every WISE Honors Program student must submit a letter of intent containing a detailed description of the student’s intended senior thesis or design project in WSE 495 /WSE 496 . The letter of intent must be submitted to the WISE Honors Program for approval no later than three days before the add/drop deadline in the semester the student enrolls in WSE 495 /WSE 496 . A progress report must be submitted at the end of the first semester of work. An appropriate thesis must be submitted at the end of the second semester and an oral report must be made at the annual University Honors Programs Senior The grade on the senior thesis or project design must be C or higher. These rules apply to students doing their theses or projects under the WSE designator or under a departmental designator. Students must obtain WISE Honors Program approval for registration under a designator other than WSE. 

The WISE Honors Program will fulfill the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) general education requirements though the courses listed below:

• WSE 105 /WSE 201  = GLO
• WSE 201  = HUM/DIV
• WSE 380  = TECH
• WSE 381  = SBS
• WSE 401  = STAS
• WSE 495 /WSE 496  = ESI, EXP+, CER, SPK and WRTD

In addition, students must fulfill the following general education requirements:

• Explore and Understand the Fine and Performing Arts (ARTS)
• Master Quantitative Problem Solving (QPS)
• Study the Natural World (SNW)
• Understand the Political, Social and Cultural History of the United States (USA)
• Write Effectively in English (WRT)

WISE Honors Program students must complete advanced studies in two of the three distinct areas of knowledge:

• Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA+)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS+)
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM+)

Students who transfer out of the WISE Honors Program must complete all remaining general education requirements for graduation.

B. Requirements to maintain WISE Honors Program membership and receive transcript notation:

• Receive an “S” (Satisfactory) grade in WSE 101 and pass all of the courses of the WISE Honors curriculum with a C or higher grade including a Senior Thesis or Design Project;
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0;
• Not be found guilty of academic dishonesty; and
• Cleared through Community Standards to ensure no University Code of Conduct policies have been violated. 

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