BEFORE LIFT OFF

General Introduction of American College

Your Guide to Straight As

Upon your arrival at Stony Brook, there are a lot of things you
should know about the American college system. The purpose of
this PowerPoint is to get you ready for your further study here at
Stony Brook.







What Kind of Classes Would You Take?
Type Style Class Size

Lecture
You sit down, listen to
professor and take notes.
Many professors use
PowerPoints and clickers
(described later).
Up to 500
students in a big
lecture hall.
You can learn from
professionals who
know the subject
very well.
Least contact
with professors.
Your active
participation is
important
Recitation
Often conducted by
TAs (described later)
You work on actual
problems with your
classmates.
20-30
You can learn how
to use what you
learned in the
lecture to solve
actual problems.
Your active
participation is
important
Seminar
You exchange your
opinions with your
classmates.
Casual,
discussion-centered.
10-20
You can gain new
perspectives from
both expressing your
own opinions and
listening to others.
Can be a big
challenge for non-
native speakers of
English or those who
are not used to
expressing
themselves.
Major Things to Know
Major

Unlike most countries, you do not have to know what you want to study when you start college in America.

During your undergraduate studies, you will be taking a lot of courses that are not related to your major.

Major means your main field of interest. If you are a biology major, many of your classes will be biology-related, but not all.
Minor

Very similar to majors.

Fewer required courses.

You do not have to have a minor, but you may wish to (The Business major requires a minor).
Types of Tests
Type Length Schedule
Portion in total
grade
Quiz/Pop-quiz
20-30
minutes

In class

May not be
announced before
1~2%/each
Midterm 1.5-2 Hours
Schedule stated on
syllabus
2-3 times per semester
20%/each
Final/
Final Exam
~2.5 hours
Schedule stated on syllabus
Held during finals week at
the end of semester - no class
will be in session during finals
week
20~30%
Screenshots from a Syllabus
Professor & TA information
Exam Schedule & Grading
Screen shots from a Syllabus
Reading Schedule & Course Schedule
The Most Influential People (In School)
Name Who Contact Tips
Professor

Teaches big lectures

Often has own lab

and conducts
research
Office Hours
Contact info on
syllabus
Visit their office hours-
they actually LOVE to
see you in person
Go ask them questions.
Instructor
Teaches smaller
classes
Could be a professor,
TA or staff member.

Office Hours

Contact info on
syllabus
Talk to them before
or after class
Let them know about
yourself.
Teaching
Assistant
Teaches recitation
An undergraduate or a
graduate student

Office Hours

Tutoring center

TAs can be great help
since they were in your
shoes not so long ago.
College ABC's
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all classes
While actual attendance will not be taken in big lecture classes, a few absents can result in a grade of F in smaller seminars

Grade Point Average (GPA)
A grading system that converts percentage (%) into letter grades (A~D/F). Each class will have its own grading scale. Check the
syllabus or ask your professor. In general, letter grades translate to:
A: Excellent
B: Good
C: Average
D: Below Average
F: Fail


Computer Use
Computer use

Computer literacy is one of the most important skills in college

Many instructors require submitting assignments online

Access Codes

Codes that are needed to access online assignments such as ALEKS(chemistry), Webassign(math) or MylanguageLab
Blackboard

An electronic bulletin board that all of the essential information about the course is posted

You can find syllabi, assignments, lecture notes or your grades on Blackboard
Clickers (Response Pads)

Used in big lecture classes in place of attendance

Lectures often contain clicker questions that you answer by sending your answer to the professors computer by clicking
the button on clickers.
College ABCs Where the Wi(ld thing)se are
Undergraduate College Advising

The first place you go to whenever you are facing difficulties about anything related to school.

Tutor centers (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Writing)

Place where you can go anytime for questions.

Graduate or undergraduate TAs are available.

Office Hours

The time when you can visit your professors offices and ask questions.

A great way to get to know professors in big lectures.

Schedules are shown on syllabus, but you can arrange your own meeting time by e-mailing the professor.
Welcome to Stony Brook
Cant wait to see you!