Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors Program

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 96-99 high school GPAs, 1410-1510 SAT (critical reading and math) composite scores, and 32-35ACT 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 (GPA, STEM major, on-campus involvement, personal statement and letters of recommendation from faculty) criteria.

Curriculum

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.
• Students are required to participate in a 2-credit practicum experience by enrolling into one of the following courses: (WSE 475/WSE 477/WSE 487/WSE 488). Students must complete the WSE Practicum Permission Request form and maintain departmental approval prior to their enrollment. Courses under a different designator may be considered in lieu of WSE Practicum. 
• Students who enter  WISE Honors 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 plans to enroll into WSE 495/WSE 496. A progress report must be submitted at the end of the first semester. . An appropriate thesis must be submitted at the end of the second semester and the student must  present their work  at the annual University Honors Programs Senior Symposium. To successfully complete the Honors Senior Thesis or Project Design requirement, students must earn a grade of 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 departmental  approval for registration under a designator other than WSE.

WISE Honors will fulfill the following 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 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 must complete all remaining general education (SBC) requirements for graduation.

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

• Enroll in and maintain a STEM major;
• 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 course (those with the WSE designator) may request to repeat the course toward WISE Honors requirements.