UB - University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you admit applicants without Master's Degrees directly into your Ph.D program?

No, not under ordinary circumstances. Students who have not earned master's degrees are admitted into our graduate program as M.S. candidates. Upon receiving good grades in designated Ph.D. qualifying courses, students may submit their application and required documents to the Graduate Affairs Committee for admission into the Ph.D. program.

If I do intend to earn a Ph.D, should I say so in my application?

Yes, we need to know. Our admission decisions are based on how well your qualifications match your ultimate graduate program plans. Please address this in your Statement of Purpose.

What are your universities codes for GRE and TOEFL tests?

• Institution: 2925

• Department Code - GRE: 0402

• Department Code - TOEFL: 78

How can I get an application and required forms?

The CSE online application is available here.

The Area Selection Form is available here in PostScript and PDF OR complete "Curricular Interest" section in your application.

Cover form for Letter of Recommendation is available here in PDF.

What preparation in Computer Science and related fields is required for admission into the graduate program?

At a minimum, we expect applicants to have successfully completed coursework in computer science and math or logic equivalent to the following:

• A two-semester undergraduate introductory sequence using a modern, structured, high-level programming language (such as C, C++, Java) equivalent to our CSE 115-116

• A one-semester course in machine organization and assembly language (equivalent to our CSE 241)

• One data-structures course (equivalent to our CSE 250)

• One or two higher-level courses, such as those offered to third- and fourth-year undergraduates

• Four semesters of undergraduate math or logic, including at least 1 one-semester course in which proving theorems was required (equivalent to our Math 141-142, MTH/CSE 191, and a higher level math course)

Although an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s or other four-year equivalent) is required for admission, an undergraduate degree in computer science is not required.

You can find descriptions of the courses cited above on our website under “Undergraduate Course Descriptions” in the Academics section.

What criteria do you use to evaluate applications?

We take the following elements into consideration when we evaluate applications, both for admission and for financial aid:

• GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, analytic); the computer science subject test is recommended, but not required. No minimum score required.

• TOEFL scores, if applicable, minimum of 213 computer based  or 550 paper based.

• Grades in relevant coursework in computer science, math, logic, and engineering at the undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate levels (you will be required to provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended)

• A personal statement explaining why you are interested in graduate study in computer science and engineering at the University at Buffalo

• At least three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members at your college who know you well

Do you have an application for financial aid and/or teaching assistant positions in your department?

No, the Graduate Admissions Committee determine their award decision based upon your complete application packet.

Does the department support all its Ph.D candidates?

We support all of our Ph.D. students, as well as qualified master’s candidates who intend to earn a Ph.D. in the program. This is still a goal.

Do you admit students for the spring semester?

Only current UB students are eligible for Spring admissions. If you qualify, please contact Graduate Admissions.

Do individual faculty members offer financial aid?

A. No. Offers of financial aid are made by the department’s Graduate Affairs Committee. For this reason, we ask applicants not to write to individual faculty members requesting financial assistance.

May I send a personal letter to a faculty member I wish to work with?

If there are faculty members you are especially interested in working with, you certainly should feel free to correspond with them about your specific interest. We would discourage you from sending generic “personal” letters and résumés before submitting an application, however. Unless you have previously corresponded with one of our faculty members, such letters and résumés are ignored. We encourage you to include such information with your application packet.

Where can I learn about your faculty and their research interests?

In the faculty section of this website. Click here.