At the University at Buffalo Department of Earth Sciences, you’ll join a community of curious, motivated students who share your passion for understanding our planet. Our programs go beyond textbooks, focusing on real-world experiences, hands-on research and tackling global challenges like climate change, water resources and geohazards. Start your application today!
For full consideration for financial support from the Department of Earth Sciences (departmental scholarships, Teaching Assistantships, and Research Assistantships) please apply by
December 1: for the following fall semester
November 1: for the following spring semester.
Applications submitted after these deadlines are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact us if you have special circumstances. Applications received at any time are considered for financial support if funds are available.
For exceptional PhD applicants wishing to be considered for the UB Presidential Fellowship or Schomburg Fellowship, and for teaching assistantships, application submission by December 1 is required.
Applicants are expected to have:
Students with backgrounds in natural sciences or engineering are also encouraged to apply.
Upon enrollment, students select a faculty advisor and committee to guide their academic and research journey. Faculty expertise spans theoretical, experimental and field-based research, providing a wealth of opportunities for specialization.
To apply for our graduate programs, you’ll need:
After an application has been submitted for formal review, applicants can view their application along with their supporting documents online by logging back into their application. For questions regarding how to access your online application, please email us at chemgrad@buffalo.edu.
Please note that you will need to Identify and list faculty you would be interested in serving as your mentor. It is expected that you reach out to faculty during the application process.
International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to allow time for student visa processing, which can take 1 to 4 months depending on your country of origin.
Please submit the following in addition to standard program requirements.
For admission review: (uploading unofficial versions is acceptable)
After admission (for visa processing):
Apply using UB’s online application system.
After you submit your UB graduate application, you’ll be prompted to make your payment online by credit card or ACH through Nelnet.
U.S. citizens or current permanent residents may request a fee waiver through the application portal after completing the graduate application and uploading all required materials.