Next Steps for New Students
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in the University at Buffalo to pursue a major within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences!
Once you have paid your tuition deposit, here are the steps you need to follow to get started at UB.
Next Steps for First-year and Transfer Students
Step 1: Sign up for Orientation
University at Buffalo orientation is designed to introduce you to campus and help you make a successful start. Complete the Orientation Data Form to sign up for orientation and provide your academic advisor with important information about your academic background and interests. This information is necessary to help build your first semester course schedule.
Step 2: Set up Duo Two-Step Verification
For your security, your UBITName account is protected by Duo two-step verification. Duo is required to access important services like MyUB, HUB Student Center and UB Learns. For instructions on how to enroll in Duo and select your verification device, visit buffalo.edu/ubit/duo. If you have not yet activated your UBITName, you will want to do so first at buffalo.edu/ubit/activate
Step 3: Health immunization records
New York State law requires that students provide these records to enroll in classes. You will not be registered for first semester classes until you have fulfilled this requirement.
Step 4: Complete UB's Financial Agreement
The University at Buffalo (UB) Financial Agreement To-Do item must be completed every semester to register for classes. You will not be registered for first semester classes until you have fulfilled this requirement.
Step 5: Verify Profile Information
All students must review and/or update Biographic/Demographic information (profile information review) on a semesterly basis. You will not be registered for first semester classes until you have fulfilled this requirement.
Step 6: Complete the Math Readiness Assessment (MRA)
All SEAS students must complete the Math Readiness Assessment (MRA) with scores of 70 or above in the Fundamentals, Algebra, and Trigonometry sections in order to take MTH 141, Calculus 1. This is the required calculus course for engineering and computer science majors. We are unable to enroll you in MTH 141 until you have completed the MRA. Therefore, you should complete this requirement as soon as possible to receive your class schedule.
Step 7: Course registration
First year students majoring in School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) programs will be registered by the SEAS Office of Academic Affairs prior to orientation.
We have already reserved seats in many of the required courses and placed them into learning communities designed for each of you. This system of advance registration considers your high school background as represented in your transcript, available test scores (SAT/ACT), and the data you submit on the orientation data form. In some instances, we may contact you via UB email to schedule an appointment to discuss modifications to the traditional academic plan or other advisement matters. Either way, you will benefit from our advisement and registration process. Most of our learning communities have approximately 10-20 students following a similar course schedule. Even though your largest class this semester might be your chemistry class with approximately 200 students in the lecture, you will know a handful of other students because they are also in your required engineering, math, and some UB Curriculum classes.
The academic advisement office will contact you once the tuition deposit and orientation data form have been submitted. We will schedule a one hour advising appointment to assist you with your first semester course schedule. Fall semester admits can expect to hear from our office starting around May 1st and Spring semester admits can expect to hear from us around December 1st.
- Please prepare for your appointment by looking over the SEAS program flow sheets and TAURUS for articulations.
- Appointments can be in-person, phone or virtual (Zoom).
- Zoom meetings do not require you to have or use a webcam but will allow advisors to share their computer screen with academic materials relevant to you.
- If setting up a phone appointment, having access to the internet is highly encouraged to access materials being used by the advisor.
- Please schedule appointment for when you can dedicate the time to your course planning.
Step 8: Review your schedule
After being notified by your advisor about enrollment in classes required for your major, you can review your schedule and other important items in the SEAS Portal. To access your schedule, click on the Schedule tab. Check the Communication tab for important emails from the SEAS Office of Academic Affairs. To view your personal course plan, go to the Flowsheet tab. The Transfer Credit tab allows you to review transfer credits.
See the HUB Student Center at myub.buffalo.edu for a weekly view of your class schedule.
You will find your Personal Flowsheet helpful in understanding the courses you are enrolled in. First-year students should also watch the Academic Overview video.
Step 9: Finalize your schedule
Please review the email your advisor sent you carefully, as it may be necessary for you to add one or more UB Curriculum (General Education) classes to your schedule. This will depend on your choice of major and AP/transfer credits. You will receive email communication from an advisor with detailed instructions if you need to add one or more of the following classes to your schedule:
First-year SEAS majors are automatically enrolled in either EAS 199 (Engineering UB Seminar) or CSE 199 (Computer Science and Engineering UB Seminar). These students DO NOT need to add a UB Seminar to their schedule. Transfer students will be placed in EAS 198.
Some students will be advised to enroll in one (1) Global or Thematic Pathway class in the first semester.
Once you’ve selected the UB Seminar and/or Pathway class that you wish to add to your fall schedule, you must register for the class using the HUB Student Center.
Step 10: Participate in Orientation
Through various Orientation programs you will learn about academics and campus life at UB, connect with other UB students, faculty and staff, and learn about the many resources available to help you excel during your first year and beyond.