School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Admission Criteria

Transfer Admission to the Program

Admission to engineering or computer science as an approved major requires the following:

1. Submission of the UB Application. Students are strongly encouraged to submit an application by the end of March for fall admission and by early October for spring admission. 
2. Admission to the University at Buffalo.
3. Submission of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Supplemental Application. Note: Incoming international students do not need to submit this application.
4. Satisfactory performance in a series of core courses (see below). There are two paths to meet this requirement.
   1. Standard: Completion of four core courses with a combined core course grade point average of at least 2.5
   2. Fast-Track:  Completion of at least two of the four core courses (graded on an A-F basis) with a combined core course grade point average of at least 3.0.
5. The minimum overall cumulative GPA required for the major. Students can meet the GPA standard by attaining an overall cumulative GPA or UB Curriculum GPA (with minimum of 12 earned UB credits) that meets or exceeds the minimum value. The GPA’s required for admission vary by academic year and requested major. The table below provides the GPA requirement for the 2022-23 academic year. Learn more about cumulative GPA requirements for previous academic years. 

Core Courses

Engineering Courses:

1. Calculus 1 (MTH 141 or MTH 153)
2. Calculus 2 (MTH 142 or MTH 154)
3. General Chemistry 1 (CHE 101, CHE 105, or CHE 107)
4. General Physics 1 (PHY 107 or PHY 117)

Computer Science / Bioinformatics Courses:

1. Calculus 1 (MTH 141 or MTH 153; students applying for the BA computer science degree may complete MTH 121 or MTH 131)
2. Introduction to Computer Science for Majors 1 (CSE 115)
3. Introduction to Computer Science for Majors 2 (CSE 116)
4. Discrete Structures (CSE 191 or MTH 191)

Overall GPA Requirements

The SEAS will consider a student’s entire academic record in reaching an admission decision. Factors such as a history of repeating, resigning, or failing classes, or low grades in classes relevant to the student’s desired discipline may result in conditional admission or denial of admission.

Current UB Students Applying to the Program

Admission to engineering or computer science major requires the following:

1. Matriculated student with academic good standing at the University at Buffalo.
2. Submission of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Supplemental Application. Students are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of May for fall admission and by early December for spring admission. Submission of an application by these suggested dates will allow ample time for processing and provide time for advisement before the start of the semester.
3. Satisfactory performance in a series of core courses (see below). There are two paths to meet this requirement.
   1. Standard: Completion of four core courses with a combined core course grade point average of at least 2.5.
   2. Fast-Track: Completion of at least two of the four core courses (graded on an A-F bases) with a combined core course grade point average of at least 3.0.
4. The minimum cumulative GPA required for the major. Students can meet the GPA standard by attaining the overall cumulative GPA or UB cumulative GPA (with minimum of 12 earned UB credits) that meets or exceeds the minimum value. The GPAs required for admission vary by academic year and requested major. The table below provides the GPA requirement for the 2022-23 academic year. Learn more about the cumulative GPA requirements for previous academic years.

Core Courses

Engineering Courses:

1. Calculus 1 (MTH 141 or MTH 153)
2. Calculus 2 (MTH 142 or MTH 154)
3. General Chemistry 1 (CHE 101, CHE 105, or CHE 107)
4. General Physics 1 (PHY 107 or PHY 117)

Computer Science / Bioinformatics Courses:

1. Calculus 1 (MTH 141 or MTH 153; students applying for the BA computer science degree may complete MTH 121 or MTH 131)
2. Introduction to Computer Science for Majors 1 (CSE 115)
3. Introduction to Computer Science for Majors 2 (CSE 116)
4. Discrete Structures (CSE 191 or MTH 191)

Overall GPA Requirements

In addition to these specific requirements, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will consider a student’s entire academic record in reaching an admission decision.  Factors such as history of repeating, resigning, or failing classes, or low grades in classes relevant to the student’s desired discipline may result in conditional admission or denial of admission.

Students are encouraged to convey legitimate extenuating circumstances that negatively impacted their academic performance via the Supplemental Application. Specific examples include documented medical issues of the student or an immediate family member, the death of an immediate family member, a disability, military orders, or other significant hardships.