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University at Buffalo SUNY

Address: 12 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
Phone: +1 716-645-2000
Email: ub-admissions@buffalo.edu
Website: www.buffalo.edu


About University at Buffalo SUNY

Based in Buffalo and Amherst in the state of New York – within short distances from New York City, Chicago, Toronto and Washington D.C. – the University at Buffalo SUNY (UB) offers over 400 courses.

UB boasts a high graduate employability rate. At the end of 2016, 94% of 2015 graduates are employed, in graduate school or in service.

Student life at UB

UB students benefit from being part of a large and prestigious public research institution, while receiving high levels of personal attention, with a student: faculty ratio of 13:1. International students are supported by immigration experts, who will guide you as you acclimatize to life in the US. There are also academic support centers for mathematics, writing, and English language.

With 120 countries represented on campus, 16% of UB students are international, making for a diverse student community and an alumni network spanning 147 nations around the world.
 

Why University at Buffalo SUNY

The University at Buffalo (UB), part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is famous for several key reasons:

1. Research Excellence

  • R1 Research Institution: UB is classified as a top-tier "R1" research university, meaning it is recognized for very high research activity. The university is a hub for cutting-edge research in fields like biomedical sciences, engineering, and environmental science.
  • Significant Research Funding: UB receives substantial federal funding for research, particularly from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

2. Strong Academic Programs

  • Engineering and Computer Science: UB is known for its highly ranked programs in engineering, computer science, and other STEM fields, particularly its School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
  • Business: The School of Management is recognized for its strong business programs, including its MBA and undergraduate business degrees, which are ranked among the best in the nation.
  • Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: UB has one of the oldest and most prestigious pharmacy schools in the U.S., with a top-ranked program in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy.

3. Public Health and Medicine

  • Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: UB has a long history of excellence in medical education and research, and it is home to one of the top medical schools in New York State. The university is known for its research in areas such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.

4. Global Engagement

  • International Student Population: UB is one of the most internationally diverse universities in the U.S. and is known for its global engagement. It hosts students from over 100 countries, with strong international programs and partnerships.

5. Affordable Education

  • Part of the SUNY System: As a public university within the SUNY system, UB offers high-quality education at an affordable price, especially for in-state students. Its combination of research excellence and affordability makes it attractive to a diverse student population.

6. Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  • Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus: UB is a major contributor to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, a collaborative effort involving research institutions, hospitals, and startups, which has become a hub for biotechnology and medical research in Western New York.
  • Entrepreneurship Programs: UB has several programs that support innovation and entrepreneurship, including incubators and accelerators that help students and faculty launch startups.

7. Athletics

  • NCAA Division I: UB’s athletic teams, the Buffalo Bulls, compete in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference. UB has a competitive presence in football, basketball, and other sports, enhancing school spirit and national recognition.

8. Cultural Impact

  • Center for the Arts: UB’s Center for the Arts is a major venue for performing arts, including music, theater, and dance, bringing in national and international talent, as well as offering cultural programs for the campus and local community.

The University at Buffalo (UB) has specific English language proficiency requirements for international students whose native language is not English. Here’s an overview of the language requirements for admission to UB:

1. English Proficiency Tests

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following standardized tests:

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):

    • Undergraduate Minimum Score: 79 (Internet-based test - iBT)
    • Graduate Minimum Score: 79 (iBT), but many programs require higher scores, sometimes up to 95 or more.

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System):

    • Undergraduate Minimum Score: 6.5 overall band score
    • Graduate Minimum Score: 6.5 overall band score, with higher requirements for some programs.

  • PTE (Pearson Test of English):

    • Undergraduate Minimum Score: 55
    • Graduate Minimum Score: Typically 55, but higher for specific programs.

  • Duolingo English Test:

    • Undergraduate Minimum Score: 110
    • Graduate Minimum Score: 120 or higher depending on the program.

2. Exemptions

Some international students may be exempt from providing proof of English proficiency if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Education in English: Applicants who have completed secondary education or a bachelor’s degree in a country where English is the official language and the medium of instruction.
  • Transfer Students: Students transferring from institutions where the primary language of instruction is English may be exempt.

3. Conditional Admission

For applicants who do not meet the English language requirements but are otherwise academically qualified, UB offers conditional admission. These students may enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at UB’s English Language Institute to improve their language skills before starting their degree programs.

4. Graduate Program-Specific Requirements

Many graduate programs have their own English proficiency requirements, which may be higher than the university’s minimum. Students are advised to check with their specific program for detailed language requirements.

The University at Buffalo (UB), part of the SUNY system, offers a variety of highly ranked programs across multiple disciplines. Here are some of the notable course specialties at UB:

1. Engineering and Applied Sciences

  • School of Engineering and Applied Sciences: One of the top engineering schools in the country, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in:
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Computer Science and Engineering
    • Aerospace Engineering
  • Known for cutting-edge research in areas such as robotics, materials science, and artificial intelligence.

2. Business Administration

  • School of Management: Offers undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral programs with specialties in:
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Supply Chain and Operations Management
    • Information Systems and E-Business
    • Entrepreneurship
  • The MBA program is highly ranked and offers an Executive MBA for professionals.

3. Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

  • School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: One of the oldest and most prestigious pharmacy schools in the U.S., known for its programs in:
    • PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy)
    • Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • UB is a leader in drug discovery and pharmacogenomics research.

4. Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

  • Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Offers programs in:
    • MD (Doctor of Medicine)
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Clinical Research
  • Known for research and clinical training in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, and cardiovascular health.

5. Public Health

  • School of Public Health and Health Professions: Programs focus on:
    • Epidemiology
    • Community Health
    • Environmental Health
    • Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
  • The school is involved in research that addresses local and global public health challenges.

6. Law

  • School of Law: UB Law is the only law school in the SUNY system and offers specializations in:
    • Environmental Law
    • Criminal Law
    • Family Law
    • International Law
    • Corporate Law
  • Known for its hands-on clinical programs and public interest law focus.

7. Architecture and Planning

  • School of Architecture and Planning: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in:
    • Architecture
    • Urban Planning
    • Environmental Design
  • Known for its integration of design with sustainability and urban development issues.

8. Arts and Humanities

  • College of Arts and Sciences: Offers a wide range of programs in:
    • English
    • History
    • Visual Arts
    • Music (including Music Composition and Music Performance)
  • The Department of English and Department of History are recognized for their strong research and faculty expertise.

9. Nursing

  • School of Nursing: Offers programs from undergraduate (BSN) to graduate (MSN, DNP) levels, with specialties in:
    • Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Nursing Leadership
    • Nursing Education
  • Known for its strong clinical training and research in healthcare delivery.

10. Environmental Sciences

  • UB offers strong interdisciplinary programs in environmental science and sustainability, focusing on environmental engineering, ecology, and climate science.

The University at Buffalo (UB) boasts many distinguished faculty members across various disciplines who are recognized for their research, teaching, and contributions to their fields. Here are some top professors at UB:

1. Steven Dubovsky, M.D.

  • Field: Psychiatry
  • Notable Contributions: Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Dubovsky is a renowned expert in the field of mood disorders, psychopharmacology, and the treatment of complex psychiatric conditions. He has published extensively and is frequently cited in psychiatric research.

2. Venu Govindaraju, Ph.D.

  • Field: Computer Science and Engineering
  • Notable Contributions: A SUNY Distinguished Professor, Dr. Govindaraju is known for his pioneering work in pattern recognition, machine learning, and biometrics. He has been a key contributor to the development of handwriting recognition systems, and his research is widely applied in fields such as AI and cybersecurity.

3. Jennifer Zirnheld, Ph.D.

  • Field: Electrical Engineering
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Zirnheld is a professor of electrical engineering and a leader in the field of energy systems and power engineering. Her research focuses on energy storage, power electronics, and smart grids, contributing to advancements in renewable energy integration.

4. Mark Seery, Ph.D.

  • Field: Psychology
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Seery is a professor in the Department of Psychology, known for his research on stress, coping, and resilience. His work examines how individuals respond to and manage stress, with a particular focus on health outcomes and psychological well-being.

5. Paras Prasad, Ph.D.

  • Field: Chemistry, Physics, and Medicine
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Prasad is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and an internationally recognized expert in nanotechnology, biophotonics, and biomedical applications of optical technologies. His interdisciplinary research has led to groundbreaking advances in medical imaging, drug delivery, and cancer treatment.

6. Michel Bruneau, Ph.D.

  • Field: Civil Engineering
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Bruneau is an expert in earthquake engineering and structural resilience. His research focuses on designing infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, and he has been heavily involved in developing building standards and safety protocols for earthquake-prone regions.

7. Jean Wactawski-Wende, Ph.D.

  • Field: Epidemiology and Environmental Health
  • Notable Contributions: Dean of the School of Public Health and Health Professions, Dr. Wactawski-Wende is recognized for her work in women’s health and chronic disease epidemiology. She has been a lead investigator in major health studies, including the Women’s Health Initiative.

8. Jonathan Katz, Ph.D.

  • Field: Art History
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Katz is a leading scholar in queer art history and is known for his groundbreaking research on the intersection of art and politics, particularly in LGBTQ+ visual culture. He has curated influential exhibitions and published extensively on modern and contemporary art.

9. Satish Tripathi, Ph.D.

  • Field: Computer Science
  • Notable Contributions: Although currently serving as UB’s president, Dr. Tripathi is a renowned scholar in computer science, specializing in network computing and computing systems. His research has been foundational in the development of distributed computing systems.

The University at Buffalo (UB) has notable connections to Nobel Prize laureates, particularly through its faculty and alumni. While UB itself does not have a large number of Nobel laureates directly affiliated with the institution, it has been a place where influential research and collaboration have occurred, leading to Nobel recognition. Here are some key figures and areas of contribution related to UB and the Nobel Prize:

1. Herbert A. Hauptman (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1985)

  • Field: Chemistry
  • Contribution: Dr. Herbert A. Hauptman, a research professor at UB’s Medical Foundation of Buffalo, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1985. He was awarded for his work on the development of direct methods for determining the structures of crystalized molecules, which significantly advanced the field of X-ray crystallography.
  • Impact on UB: His work not only influenced the field of chemistry and biophysics but also positioned UB as a leading institution in crystallography and structural biology research.

2. Paul Dirac (Nobel Prize in Physics, 1933)

  • Field: Physics
  • Contribution: Paul Dirac, a pioneer in quantum mechanics and quantum theory, briefly served as a visiting professor at UB in the 1970s. He was a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933 for his work on atomic theory and the formulation of quantum mechanics.
  • Impact on UB: Although his time at UB was short, Dirac’s presence at the university brought attention to its physics department and its commitment to theoretical research.

3. UB Faculty and Nobel Collaborations

  • UB has been home to numerous researchers and scientists who have collaborated with Nobel laureates or conducted research that laid the groundwork for Nobel-winning discoveries. While not all directly affiliated laureates were based at UB for long periods, the university fosters a rich environment for innovative research in fields like medicine, chemistry, and physics, which have produced Nobel-worthy advancements.

4. Nobel Laureates Who Have Lectured at UB

  • Several Nobel Prize winners have visited UB to deliver lectures or collaborate on research projects, further enhancing the university's intellectual community. The university's Center for Excellence and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences regularly invite Nobel laureates for talks and symposiums.