Current Graduate Students
A clear roadmap for requirements, milestones and support
This page brings together the handbooks, forms and university resources that support your graduate experience in Biological Sciences. Whether you are planning coursework, preparing for milestones, submitting paperwork or getting ready to graduate, you will find the key information and contacts here.
Resources for:
Quick Links
Our handbook explains the people, policies and program requirements that guide your graduate experience in Biological Sciences. Keep it handy and use it to plan your semester, track milestones and stay in good standing.
Requirements for PhD degree
The following outlines the academic, research and professional milestones you must complete to earn your PhD in Biological Sciences. It explains credit requirements, rotations, seminars, exams, research expectations and key deadlines so you can plan your progress and stay in good standing throughout the program.
Required credits
You must complete 72 total credit hours to graduate, including:
- 22 credit hours of formal courses
- 4 credit hours of Graduate Student Seminar
- 4 credit hours of Departmental Seminar
- Remaining credit hours earned through:
- Rotation (Problems in Biology)
- Graduate research
- TA training (Ed. & Practice in Bio Science)
- Supervised teaching
What counts as a formal course
Formal courses enroll multiple students who meet regularly with an instructor and receive a letter grade based on classroom performance.
These do not count toward the 22 credit hours of formal coursework:
- Research rotations (BIO 600)
- Graduate research (BIO 680)
- Research topics (BIO 615)
- TA training (BIO 598)
- Supervised teaching (BIO 599)
Tuition assistance note for TAs
Please note that the Office of the Dean may not provide tuition assistance to students serving as TAs if they have completed 72 or more credit hours.
Course selection
When you enter the PhD program, you are assigned a first-year advisor by the Director of Graduate Studies. This advisor helps you select courses.
For the first two semesters:
- You must have your first-year advisor sign your course selection form before you register.
Once a student selects a research advisor:
- Your research advisor assumes responsibility for advising.
You are expected to complete your course requirements through graduate courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. If you want to take a course outside the department, you must email the Director of Graduate Studies with:
- The course syllabus
- An explanation of how the course is important for the student’s training
Before you register each semester:
Confirm requirements, get signatures and submit forms.
Requirements for good academic standing
You must maintain a QPA of at least 3.0 in your formal courses.
If your QPA falls below 3.0, you will be placed on probation.
If you are on probation, you have one semester to raise your QPA to 3.0. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be dismissed from the graduate program.
If your QPA is so low that you cannot reach 3.0 within one additional semester of coursework, you will be dismissed immediately.
If you are dismissed, you may petition the Graduate Affairs Committee for retention in the program.
Continuous registration
You must register for at least one credit each fall and spring semester until you complete all degree requirements.
If you cannot maintain continuous registration, you must request a Leave of Absence from the Graduate School.
Research rotations, or also known as the Problems in Biology course, are short research projects that introduce you to work in a specific laboratory.
Why rotations matter
Rotations allow you and a potential advisor to determine whether you want to work together on your thesis research.
Making a strong impression during your rotation is critical if you hope to join that lab. Before starting, make sure you understand your rotation advisor’s expectations.
Timing of rotations
During your first year, you complete two 10-week research rotations with different faculty members.
- Your first rotation begins in the third week of your first semester.
- Your second rotation begins immediately after the first rotation ends.
Your second rotation includes the winter session between fall and spring semesters. Do not plan an extended vacation during this time.
If you have not identified a suitable lab after two rotations, you may complete a third rotation. The third rotation must begin immediately after the second rotation ends, and you must notify the Director of Graduate Studies before the end of your second rotation.
Selection of rotation advisors
During orientation, faculty present their research programs.
You should meet with faculty whose research interests you. During these meetings, ask about:
- Available rotation projects
- Whether the faculty member plans to accept new PhD students that year
By the end of the first week of classes, you must submit your top three rotation choices to the Graduate Affairs Committee Representative.
The representative assigns rotation advisors based on student requests.
This process is repeated before your second rotation. You should contact faculty directly, even if you already spoke with them before your first rotation.
Evaluation of rotation
After each rotation, you must submit a written report to your rotation advisor. The report must be at least two pages and include:
- The rationale for the work
- Experimental details
- Any results obtained
At the end of the spring semester, you will give an oral presentation on one of your rotations.
You may also present a poster on your first rotation at the January departmental research symposium organized by the Biology Graduate Student Association.
Your rotation grade is based on completion of both:
- Laboratory work
- The written report
You must receive passing grades in two laboratory rotations to complete the rotation requirement.
Graduate student seminar (BIO 610)
The Graduate Student Seminar helps you develop strong oral presentation skills. You must enroll in the Graduate Student Seminar every semester during your first two years in the program.
Year 1 expectations
During your first year, you will write critiques of seminars presented by second-year students. You will receive an S or U grade.
Year 2 expectations
During your second year, you will give two seminar presentations:
- In your third semester, you will summarize and critique a journal article.
- In your fourth semester, you will present your proposed thesis research project. Your presentation should include background information, major hypotheses and planned experimental approaches. You may also include preliminary results.
Your PhD Advisory Committee will attend both presentations and assign a letter grade.
To meet the seminar requirement, you must earn at least a B on each presentation.
If you do not earn a satisfactory grade, you must complete an additional seminar presentation.
Departmental seminar (BIO 614)
The Departmental Seminar introduces you to research by distinguished scientists from UB and other institutions.
You must enroll in and attend the Departmental Seminar every semester during your first two years.
After your second year, you are encouraged to continue attending seminars, but you will not register for credit.
Clear oral presentation of scientific material is a critical skill for biologists. To develop this skill, you must present your research publicly at least once each academic year.
Years 1 and 2
Year 3 and beyond
Beginning in your third year, you must present your research in a public forum at least once between June 1 and May 31 each academic year.
You may fulfill this requirement by:
- Presenting at the annual symposium
- Speaking at the student research showcase
- Presenting at a regional or national research meeting
- Giving a work-in-progress seminar
- Defending your dissertation
Other public presentations may be accepted at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies.
You may not fulfill this requirement through lab meetings or poster presentations. However, a poster presented at a national meeting may be accepted at the Director’s discretion.
If you do not meet the speaking requirement
If you do not complete the annual speaking requirement, you will receive an Incomplete in BIO 680. The grade will be changed once you fulfill the requirement.
You will also not be in good standing and will not be eligible for TA appointments.
Track this each year: The academic year runs from June 1 through May 31.
Orientation
As a new PhD student, you must attend all required orientation programs during orientation week, including training in laboratory safety, equity and union benefits.
Responsible Conduct of Research
You must complete Responsible Conduct of Research training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative online program.
After registering, select the Biomedical Sciences Responsible Conduct of Research training.
The program includes multiple modules with readings, case studies and quizzes.
You must earn a minimum total score of 80 percent to pass.
After completing the training, print your Completion Report and submit it to the Biological Sciences Graduate Coordinator.
You must complete this requirement by the end of your second year.
Selection of faculty advisor
After completing two or three rotations, you must select one rotation mentor to serve as your faculty advisor. You should identify your advisor by the end of your second semester.
Once your advisor agrees, you must notify the Director of Graduate Studies.
The Graduate Affairs Committee oversees this process and may prevent you from joining a laboratory that cannot provide appropriate training.
Composition of the PhD advisory committee
After selecting your advisor, you and your advisor must form your PhD Advisory Committee by the end of your first summer.
Your committee must include:
- Your faculty advisor
- At least three additional members
Two of your additional members must:
- Be from the Department of Biological Sciences
- Be members of the UB Graduate Faculty
The fourth member may be:
- An associate member of the UB Graduate Faculty or
- A faculty member from outside the Department of Biological Sciences or UB
This fourth member should add expertise that strengthens your committee and supports your research.
You must inform the Director of Graduate Studies of your committee membership and report any changes.
You will designate a chair for each committee meeting. The chair must be a UB Graduate Faculty member in Biological Sciences and cannot be your research advisor.
Duties of the PhD Advisory Committee
The PhD Advisory Committee plays an active role in your progress through the program. The committee will:
- Administer your qualifying examination
- Meet with you at least once each year to review progress and provide guidance
- Evaluate your informal thesis data presentation and determine when you may begin writing your dissertation
- Approve your thesis and certify that you have completed all degree requirements
Procedures for annual committee meeting
The annual committee meeting is an important opportunity for you to obtain guidance on your thesis projects. Committee members bring expertise distinct from that of the primary advisor and offer valuable suggestions and fresh perspectives.
If you fail to meet annually, you may lose TA support.
Meeting expectations:
For your meeting:
- Your advisor and at least two committee members must be present.
- If a member cannot attend, you must update them separately.
You must prepare a 30-minute progress presentation. The discussion will extend beyond 30 minutes as the committee provides feedback.
After the presentation, you and your committee will outline next steps toward completing your thesis.
You must submit a signed Committee Meeting Report Form to the Graduate Affairs Committee.
Your action steps
- Schedule meeting
- Confirm attendees
- Prepare slides for a 30-minute presentation
- Bring the report form
- Submit the signed form
General policies
You must pass a qualifying exam administered by your PhD Advisory Committee.
All committee members must attend the qualifying examinations.
If you fail, you may retake the exam once.
If you fail twice, you will be dismissed from the PhD program.
Timeline
You must complete the qualifying exam in your fourth semester, no later than the ninth week.
In your third semester:
- You must select an original research proposal topic. The topic may be related to your thesis research.
- Your committee must approve the topic.
- Once approved, you will present a related paper in your Graduate Student Seminar (BIO 610).
Early in your fourth semester:
- You must hold a pre-qualifier meeting.
- Prior to the meeting, submit a specific aims page outlining the proposed research.
- At the meeting, you will receive feedback and guidance on general knowledge areas.
- A pre-qualifier meeting report form should be completed and submitted to the Graduate Coordinator.
In your fourth semester:
- You must submit your written proposal by the fifth week and at least three weeks before your oral exam.
- You will receive committee feedback at least two weeks before the exam.
- You must submit a revised proposal to the committee at least two days before the oral exam.
If you fail, you must retake the exam by the end of that semester.
If you do not complete the exam on schedule, you will not be eligible for TA appointments.
Format of the exam
Written examination
The purpose of the written examination, the research proposal, is to evaluate the student’s ability to design a line of inquiry into a specific scientific topic.
The proposal should follow the format used by a major granting agency, such as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
It should include:
- Specific Aims
- Significance
- Approach, including data interpretation and alternative strategies
Oral examination
The purpose of the oral examination is to evaluate your scientific reasoning and depth of knowledge.
About the exam
The exam lasts approximately two hours and the chair will moderate.
You will give a 20-minute proposal presentation outlining the research proposal. The actual presentation will take longer than twenty minutes because the committee will pause the presentation to question you about relevant background information, proposed experiments and alternative strategies.
During the oral exam, the advisor will remain silent.
After Your presentation
- You will leave the room after questioning.
- The advisor will comment on your performance and answer questions before leave the room.
- The remaining committee member will vote on whether you pass.
You pass if no more than one member dissents.
After you complete coursework and pass your qualifying exam, you will focus primarily on research.
You must register for at least one credit of graduate research (BIO 680) each semester.
If you receive more than one U in your graduate research course, you will be dismissed from the program.
When you and your advisor agree that sufficient research has been completed to comprise a PhD thesis, you will present your research informally to your PhD advisory committee. You should have a body of publishable work before you begin writing.
Your committee must unanimously approve your readiness to write and defend your thesis. After this point, additional thesis committee meetings are not required.
Under normal circumstances, you are expected to complete your PhD within five years after entering the program.
Your thesis should be written with the advice and feedback from your research advisor. The following links provide detailed guidelines from the university on formatting the dissertation:
You must submit a near-final draft to your PhD Advisory Committee at least three weeks before your defense.
After the thesis has been read and approved by the committee, a defense will be held. This defense will be open to all students and faculty, who will have the opportunity to pose questions.
After questioning, your committee will meet privately and vote on the outcome of the thesis defense.
You must complete an annual progress report.
You must meet with your advisor to discuss:
- Progress in the last year
- Goals for the next year
Together, you and your advisor must complete and submit the report to the Graduate Coordinator within one week of grades being posted.
First semester
- Attend the orientation program
- Two formal courses | 6 to 8 credit hours
- Graduate Student Seminar, BIO 610 | 1 credit
- Departmental Seminar, BIO 614 | 1 credit
- TA training, BIO 598, 3 credits | if serving as TA
- Problems in Biology (Research rotations), BIO 600 | variable credits
Total credits: 19
Second semester
- Two formal courses | 6 to 8 credit hours
- Graduate Student Seminar, BIO 610 | 1 credit
- Departmental seminar, BIO 614 | 1 credit
- Supervised teaching, BIO 599 | 3 credits, if serving as TA
- Research rotations, BIO 600 | variable credits
- Problems in Biology (Research rotations), BIO 600 | variable credits
- Submit annual progress report
Total credits: 19
First summer
- Continue thesis research
- Select advisory committee
- Begin developing proposal topic for qualifying exam
Third semester
- One or two formal courses | 4 to 6 credit hours
- Present journal article at Graduate Student Seminar, BIO 610 | 1 credit
- Departmental seminar, BIO 614 | 1 credit
- Supervised teaching, BIO 599 | 3 credits, if serving as TA
- Graduate (thesis) Research, BIO 680 | variable credits
Total credits: 19
Fourth semester
- Complete 22 credit hours of formal courses and 64 total credits
- Present research project at graduate seminar, BIO 610 | 1 credit
- Departmental seminar, BIO 614 | 1 credit
- Supervised teaching, BIO 599 | 1 credit, if serving as TA
- Continue Graduate (thesis) Research, BIO 680 | variable credits
- Complete the written and oral qualifying exam by the ninth week
- Complete training in Responsible Conduct of Research
- Submit application to candidacy
- Submit annual progress report
Year 3 and beyond
- Submit an annual progress report each year
- Give at least one oral presentation each year
- Register for 1 credit research each semester, BIO 680
- Prepare dissertation
- Present thesis research in public seminar
- Defend dissertation to PhD advisory committee
- Submit the M form
Use the forms below to document key milestones in your program, including committee meetings, exams and annual reviews. Submit completed forms to the Graduate Coordinator by the stated deadlines to remain in good standing.
Follow the submission instructions listed on the form. If you are not sure where something should go, contact the Graduate Coordinator.
If you have questions about our programs, please contact:
Department policies, support and community
The following sections explain how the department supports you beyond degree requirements, including key contacts, grading policies, academic standing, petitions, funding and student organizations. Use this information to understand your rights and responsibilities, know who to contact and stay informed about resources available to you throughout your program.
This section explains what each role does and who to contact when you have questions about advising, policies, funding or paperwork.
Note: People and committee membership can change. Use the department website for the most current names and contacts.
Department Chair
Leads the department’s teaching, research and operations and represents the department to the university.
Director of Graduate Studies
Oversees the graduate program, including recruitment, orientation, advising assignments, curriculum and student progress.
Graduate Coordinator
Manages graduate program paperwork, deadlines and day-to-day logistics.
Advises the Director of Graduate Studies on program policy, supports first-year advising and helps resolve graduate student concerns confidentially.
Advises the MA program director and supports MA student academic advising and program policy.
Research Advisor
Also called a thesis or dissertation advisor, this faculty mentor guides your research; PhD and MS students choose an advisor after two rotations and MA students choose one in their first semester.
Graduate student leaders who share updates on policies and organize community events like the symposium, journal clubs and social activities.
A graduate student liaison who brings student concerns to the Graduate Affairs Committee and shares updates back with students.
PhD Advisory Committee
Led by your advisor, the committee guides your research, evaluates your progress and approves key milestones toward your degree.
Letter grades and QPA
QPA is calculated as follows:
- For each course, the weighted grade is multiplied by the credits attempted
- The adjusted grades, multiplied by credit hours, are added
- The sum of the adjusted grades is divided by the total number of credits attempted
- If a course is repeated, both grades count in the calculation of the QPA
Letter grades carry the following weights:
A = 4.0, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.0, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0
Other grades
Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory (S/U)
S indicates credit earned. U indicates no credit earned. These grades do not count in the QPA.
Resign (R)
A student may resign from a course through the 11th week of the semester. This course will not be included in QPA calculations. An R will appear on the transcript.
Other grades
It is the policy of the UB Graduate School that students must attain a QPA of at least 3.0 to earn a graduate-level degree.
Grades will be determined on a standard scoring system. The grade will be the average of performance on each section of the course. Cheating, plagiarism and other attempts at academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the section and a failing grade for the course.
The Director of Graduate Studies, the Director of the MA program, and the advisory committees jointly monitor the progress of graduate students in Biological Sciences.
For PhD students, the PhD Advisory Committee and faculty advisor also assess the student’s progress.
For MS and MA students, the faculty advisor monitors progress.
Graduate students will be in good standing provided that:
- The requirements outlined in this handbook are met in a timely fashion and
- The research project is judged to be progressing satisfactorily
Unsatisfactory performance in any phase of the degree program may lead to dismissal from the graduate program.
Graduate students have the right to petition any decision regarding their standing in the graduate program or to request a change in any of the requirements set forth in this document.
Petitions should be addressed to the Graduate Affairs Committee and must clearly state:
- What requirements are being petitioned
- The justification for the request
- For PhD and MS students, the Graduate Affairs Committee will decide upon such petitions.
- For MA students, the MA Advisory Committee will decide upon such petitions.
Instructions for preparing a petition to switch programs (MA to MS or MS to PhD)
The student must formally petition the Graduate Affairs Committee to switch programs.
The petition should include:
- Current transcript
- A letter of petition from the student that includes:
- The reason the student is requesting the change
- A justification for the change
- Letter of support from the student’s advisor that includes:
- Assessment of the student’s ability to complete the degree program under consideration
- Description of financial support available for the student
Petitions will be considered twice a year and should be submitted within a week of the semester grades being posted.
Students should complete at least two semesters prior to requesting a switch.
Multiple criteria are considered when a student wishes to change programs, including:
- Performance in coursework and lab work
- Acceptance as a student into a research lab
- Appropriate support from the advisor
- Changes in career goals
Students will not be allowed to switch from the MS to PhD program if they wish to work in a lab that does not appear likely to have sufficient resources for the student to finish their thesis research. However, qualified students may join the PhD program if they find a lab with appropriate resources.
Instructions for preparing a petition to remain in program after academic dismissal
A student who has been dismissed due to lack of academic standing may petition the Graduate Affairs Committee to remain in the program.
The petition should include:
- Current transcript
- Letter of petition from the student:
- Accounts for the academic deficiencies
- Lays out a plan to remedy these deficiencies within one semester
- Letter of support from the student’s advisor that includes:
- Assessment of the student’s ability to complete the degree program under consideration
- Description of financial support available for the student
Petitions should be submitted within a week of the semester's grades being posted.
General policy
Support for PhD students is guaranteed for ten semesters, provided they make adequate progress. Support is generally extended beyond this time depending on resources.
Support of PhD students is generally provided through:
- Teaching assistantships
- Research assistantships
- Fellowships
Teaching assistantships
Biological Sciences graduate students in good standing are offered teaching assistantships during their first four semesters in the graduate program. Continuing support during this period is contingent upon the student carrying a full course load.
International students who have been awarded teaching assistantships must pass the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit test.
Students who score just below passing, 45 to 50, will have an interview with a representative of the ESL department to determine whether they have sufficient communication skills to serve as a TA. Based on this interview, the student may be required to take ESL 512 before being allowed to teach.
PhD students who do not pass the test or the interview can only serve as assistant TAs and will have reduced support.
An unsatisfactory grade in the teaching assignment or a complaint by a supervising faculty member can result in immediate loss of support. However, such a loss will not occur without a thorough investigation by the Graduate Affairs Committee.
After the fourth semester and during the first summer of residence, PhD students are usually supported by their advisor’s research grants or their own external fellowships.
Students who do not have a pre-doctoral fellowship and are working with a research advisor who lacks grant support may request departmental funds. These requests will be considered on an individual basis.
If a faculty member loses their research funding, all senior students in good standing, beyond the second year, will be considered for teaching assistantships until the faculty member regains funding or the student graduates.
Departmental support is not available to students in the research track or to adjunct faculty. Research-track and adjunct faculty are expected to support their graduate students immediately upon accepting them into their labs. If funding should fail for a research or adjunct faculty member, they may request support for senior Biological Sciences students.
Questions about funding
Because funding policies and resources can change, use current department communications and Graduate School resources for up-to-date information.
For questions about your specific funding situation, start with:
- Your research advisor
- The Graduate Coordinator
- Your program director
The Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
The BGSA is a student-run organization affiliated with the university-wide Graduate Student Association.
The BGSA:
- Shares updates on policies, procedures and events
- Helps plan the annual symposium
- Runs journal clubs and social activities
Meetings are usually held monthly. Announcements are shared through the email listserv.
Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU)
The Graduate Student Employees Union represents Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants employed by SUNY and paid by New York State.
If you hold a TA or GA appointment, you are part of the GSEU bargaining unit. The union negotiates contracts related to pay, benefits and working conditions.
To receive full union membership benefits, eligible students must complete a membership form and submit it to a union officer or follow the instructions provided by the union.
For current information about membership, benefits and representation, visit the Graduate Student Association website.
The Department of Biological Sciences hosts events throughout the year that support research, professional development and community connection.
Annual Research Symposium
Held each January and organized by the Biology Graduate Student Association, the Annual Research Symposium gives students the opportunity to share their work with the department. Students present posters or short talks and engage in discussion with faculty and peers.
Departmental Seminar Series
Weekly seminars bring distinguished scientists from UB and other institutions to campus. These talks introduce current research across the life sciences and create space for discussion. Students often have opportunities to meet and speak with invited guests.
Graduate Student Research Showcase
The Research Showcase highlights advanced graduate students or postdoctoral scholars who present a developed body of work. These presentations take place during the regular seminar schedule and are selected by the Seminar Committee.
Work-in-Progress Seminar Series
This spring seminar series provides a supportive setting for graduate students to present ongoing research. Short talks encourage feedback, discussion and idea exchange, often in preparation for committee meetings or future presentations.
Alumni Career Workshop
Alumni working in a range of careers return to share their experiences and connect with current students. These events provide insight into career pathways in academia, industry, education and beyond.
Graduate School resources
International student resources
Graduation and Commencement
Graduation (degree conferral) and participating in commencement are two separate steps.
Step 1: Apply for graduation
You must apply for graduation to have your degree officially awarded.
- Students pursuing a master’s degree, advanced certificate, AuD, DNP, DSW or EdD must apply for graduation in HUB.
- PhD students must submit a PhD Application to Candidacy.
Step 2: Register for commencement
After applying for graduation, you must separately register to participate in the commencement ceremony and walk in cap and gown.
When you place your order, you will be guided in selecting the appropriate regalia based on your academic discipline and degree.
Your Regalia Colors
Caps and Gowns
- Master's: Black
- Doctoral: UB regalia is blue.
Tassels: Blue and white
Hoods: Hoods are lined in blue and gold. The width of the velvet border varies by degree, while the color of the velvet border indicates the academic discipline; PhD hoods are trimmed in royal blue.
Support and resources available to students across identities and experiences.
The Career Design Center helps you explore options, build practical skills and take action on your goals. Whether you are just starting to think about what comes next or actively preparing for jobs or graduate school, you will find clear guidance and real opportunities to move forward.
What you can do at the Career Design Center:
- Meet one-on-one with a career design consultant
- Get support with job and internship searches and graduate school planning
- Use online tools for resumes, interviews, networking and exploring real-world challenges
- Attend job + Internship fairs, skillshops and networking events
- Gain access to thousands of jobs + internship postings on Bullseye powered by Handshake.
- Explore the Career Design Studio any time to discover tools, resources and ideas that help you plan your path.
A consolidated set of academic, campus and wellness resources to support every part of your UB journey.
Academic Success
Developing self-learning skills necessary to succeed, such as reading textbooks, taking notes, checking for understanding, and utilizing faculty, peers and tutoring.
Social Integration
Engaging, learning outside the classroom, developing networks of support and healthy behaviors in managing stress.
- Athletics, Recreation and Intramurals
- Counseling Services
- Experiential Learning Network
- Health Promotion
- Intercultural and Diversity Center
- LGBTQ+ Center
- Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
- Psychological Services Center
- Stress Management and Prevention
- Student Engagement
- Student Health Services
- UB Events Calendar
- Veteran Services
Understanding UB
Successfully navigating UB’s physical setting, including its interconnected online systems and resources.
- Campus Living
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Financial Aid at 1Capen
- Hired: Professional Clothing Boutique
- HUB Student Center
- International Student Services
- Navigate
- Parking and Transportation at 1Capen
- Registrar: HUB Student Center Training Guides
- Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
- Student Accounts
- Setting up your tech
- Technology Guide
- UBIT Help Center
This is more than college. It’s your new home.
From late-night bites to early-morning classes, UB is designed to help you thrive—on campus, off campus and all over Buffalo. Whether you’re settling in or just visiting, here’s everything you need to make life at UB easier, warmer and way more fun.
Hungry? You’ve got options. Choose a traditional meal plan at one of UB’s dining halls or explore campus cafés with international flavors like Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean and Mexican. There’s something for every taste (and every schedule).
Getting around UB is easy. Whether you're walking from your dorm, hopping on a free UB Stampede or Shuttle, or driving your own car (permit required, small fee), getting to class is simple and convenient. UB’s campus is big, but travel time is short.
Live where you’ll thrive. UB offers a wide range of housing, both on campus and off. From residence halls to nearby townhouses, you'll find the right fit for your lifestyle and budget. If you're renting off campus, be sure to read your lease carefully and know your rights as a tenant.
🛒 Shopping
Buffalo winters are legendary. Get what you need to stay warm and stocked. Nearby shopping spots include:
- The Boulevard
- Walden Galleria
- Wegmans
- Tops Market
- Target
- Walmart
📚 Textbooks
Save money and stay ready. In addition to the University Bookstore, try:
- AbeBooks
- Amazon.com
- Ebay.com
- UB Libraries for digital and reserve copies
And don’t forget to check student mailing lists or e-bulletins for used books and swaps.
🌆 Life in Buffalo
Buffalo is a city with heart, history, flavor and energy—and only minutes from Niagara Falls and Canada. Whether you're here for four years or for life, there’s always something new to discover.