Learn more about HUB, UB's new student system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Academic Advising Questions

Degree Requirements Questions

Grading Questions

Major Questions

Enrollment (Registration) Questions

Technology Questions

Academic Advising Questions

Q... How often should I make an appointment to see an advisor?

A... Although individual situations may vary, a good rule of thumb is to visit an academic advisor at least once a term (semester). Some departments and some programs require that students see their advisor more frequently. You should check with your advisor about their policy.

Q... How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

A... Use the Advising Directory to find contact information for your academic unit and advisor.

Q... I understand that I can withdraw from courses. How does that work?

A... If you have extenuating documented circumstances that impact your academic performance, you must talk with an academic advisor immediately. Extenuating circumstances would include medical problems, death or illness of an immediate family member, or military orders. Supporting documentation would need to substantiate your circumstances and must be from a third party such as a health care professional or doctor. To submit a withdrawal request for extraordinary circumstances, you only have until the end of the following term.

Degree Requirement Questions

Q... What are the requirements to graduate?

A... You must complete a General Education program, the requirements for your major, obtain at least 120 units (credits), and have a grade point average of at least 2.0. Your personalized Academic Advisement Report will provide ongoing information about how far along you are toward your degree. For more information review the detailed University Degree Requirements section in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Q... Can I graduate with 119 units (credits)?

A... No, you cannot graduate with fewer than 120 units (credits). This is an absolute minimum.

Q... Is World Civilization required for General Education?

A... In general, students who enter UB as freshmen are required to complete the World Civilization General Education requirement. Requirements, however, may differ by student status. It is best to meet with an academic advisor to gain assistance in selecting appropriate General Education courses.

Q... Can I obtain two different degrees at the same time?

A... Yes you can, if the fields of study are significantly different. If you wish to obtain two different degrees, such as BA, BS, BFA, or Mus.B., you will have to complete the requirements for each major and obtain a minimum of 30 units (credits) accrued beyond the first degree or 150 units (credits) total, whichever is greater. In general, there can be no overlap of upper-division courses. It is important that you meet with an academic advisor early in your undergraduate career to seek interpretation of your plan and be sure that you are intending to pursue significantly different fields of study. Review the detailed guidelines in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Examples: Acceptable: BA English/BS Biology, BFA Music/BS Biochemistry
Unacceptable: BA Psychology/BS Psychology, BS Mechanical Engineering/BS Aerospace Engineering

Q... Can I take a graduate course and have the units (credits) apply to my undergraduate degree?

A... Yes, you can under certain circumstances. You must be a Junior or Senior and have been accepted in a major with an overall grade point average of a 3.0, including transfer credits. You must have the prerequisites expected of all students enrolled in the graduate course. You must also have written permission from the course instructor which clearly shows the academic necessity and rationale for taking the graduate course and this must be endorsed by the Chair of the Department in which the course is offered. The department offering the course will implement the registration only when permission is granted. You may not register for more than a total of two courses (in total not exceeding 8 units) of graduate level course work that may later be applied to a UB post-baccalaureate degree program. Refer to the Registration, Registration in Graduate Courses for Undergraduate Credit section of the Undergraduate Catalog and consult with an academic advisor for more information and to obtain the necessary form.

Grading Questions

Q... Can I take a course over for a better grade?

A... A student may repeat a course to replace a failing grade, a resignation, or to seek to improve the student’s record when the student’s first enrollment resulted in a passing grade. However, several conditions apply. For complete information review the Grade Repeat Policy in the Undergraduate Catalog and consult an academic advisor. Additionally, a student should be aware of the Course Enrollment Control Policy, which restricts repeating courses that have been identified as controlled enrollment (impacted).

Q... Can I take a course on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis?

A... If the course is required for your major or required to fulfill General Education requirements, you may not take the course on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading basis.

Q... I have taken a course on an S/U basis and now I realize that it is a requirement. What can I do?

A... Students may recover the letter grade earned in a course graded S/U if (a) that course is required for, or is a prerequisite for, a major(s) to which they have changed; or (b) they can document that a graduate or professional school to which they have applied demands the letter grade earned. (Once recovered, the letter grade will stand; that is, the student will not be able to change back to S/U grading.)

Q... How do I get an Incomplete grade in a course?

A... Incomplete grades are given by the instructor of the course. You usually have to have completed a portion of the coursework and have a passing grade in the course. The instructor will tell you what you need to do to complete the course. You have a limited period of time (12 months) to complete the course. You should NOT reregister for the course but follow the instructor's direction. It is at the instructor's discretion to grant you a grade of incomplete. For further information review the Incomplete Grade explanation found in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Q... What is the difference between my UB grade point average and my overall grade point average?

A... Your overall grade point average includes both your units (credits) at UB and your average at other colleges you may have attended. Your UB grade point average includes only grades from coursework completed at UB. To graduate from UB both your UB and overall grade point average must be at least a 2.0.

Q... If I do coursework at another college, will I get the credit and does the grade count?

A... Course units (credits) earned at accredited institutions as defined in the Undergraduate Catalog can, generally, be accepted. Faculty approved articulation will determine how the units may be applied to your degree requirements. You will see the application of transferred course work in your Transfer Credit Report. If you are considering taking courses elsewhere to complete requirements you should consult www.taurus.buffalo.edu to view existing course articulation. You should also speak, in advance, with your advisor. While the grades for transferred course work will not affect your UB grade point average, these grades will be a part of your transfer grade point average and your overall grade point average (which includes both your credits at UB and your average at other colleges you have attended).

Major Questions

Q... How do I decide on a major?

A... You should consider what you enjoy doing, such as whether you enjoy working with people or with things and processes. Then you should realistically consider the areas in which you excel. Then consider where these two things overlap. You might want to consider the array of job opportunities for each of your choices by talking with an academic advisor and an advisor from Career Services. If you have two areas that seem right for you, consider two majors or a major and a minor.

Q... How do I find out the requirements for being accepted into a major?

A... Consult the Undergraduate Catalog, visit the academic department directly, and talk with an academic advisor.

Q... When do I apply to a major?

A... Some majors admit freshmen concurrent with admission to the university. For others, admission to a major occurs after enrollment and completion of some coursework. Depending on the major, you are eligible to apply to a department when you have successfully completed or are in the process of successfully completing all of the prerequisite courses required for that major. It is strongly recommended that you be accepted into a major upon completion of 60 units (credit hours). You should talk with an academic advisor about any application procedures and whether there is a special deadline to apply for your intended major.

Q... What is the Special Major?

A... It is possible to create your own major with the guidance of two faculty members and an academic advisor. You should first consult with the special major advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences who will familiarize you with the guidelines and steps necessary to complete the program.

Q... Can I major in two different departments?

A... Yes you can. You will have to complete the requirements for each major. You can also major in one department and do a minor in another department. Further information can be found in the Major Requirement/ University Degree Requirements section of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Q... What can I do with a major in Biology, or Art, or Philosophy, ...?

A... You may be surprised by the type of jobs that are out there for people who have degrees in many of these areas. You should consult with Career Services, an academic advisor, and a faculty member.

Enrollment (Registration) Questions

Q... How many units (credits) should I take each term?

A... You should be careful to not overload yourself in any one term. If you take an average of 15 units (credits) each term for 8 terms you will have the required 120 units. If you complete fewer than 15 units a term, consider enrolling in summer session courses.

Q... I want to take more than 19 units (credits) in a term. How do I get permission to do this?

A... Registering for more than 19 units (for a fall or spring term) or 14 units (for a summer term) requires the approval of an academic advisor. It is recommended that you be in good academic standing and have at least a 2.5 or higher overall grade point average.

Q... I want to resign from a course. How do I do it?

A... You can drop courses from your schedule up until the 6th day of classes. Beginning the 7th day of class through the 11th week of the semester you may resign from your coursework by using the HUB Student Center in MyUB. If you would like to resign from a course, it is recommended that you first speak with an academic advisor and financial aid advisor to understand how resigning from a course could potentially affect your academic and/or financial status. Further, prior to resigning, you should determine if the course is identified under the Course Enrollment Control Policy, which will have limited future enrollment possibilities.

Technology Questions

Q... What is MyUB and how does it differ from UBLearns?

A... MyUB (http://www.buffalo.edu/aboutmyub) is a web-based, personal portal to UB's online resources. It provides links to important UB information and tools (like e-mail, the HUB Student Center, etc.). "Views" of MyUB are available for various audiences: faculty, staff and students. In addition, it delivers customized information based upon the academic profile and interests of individual users (such as your term's course schedule and parking permit to name a few).

UBlearns is a web based course management and delivery application using the e-Learning software platform known as "Blackboard". It is the center of the University's on-line learning system. UBlearns is where faculty post course documents and PowerPoint presentations, or host discussion boards or post links to websites that relate to information relevant to their course. They may even use UBlearns to give assignments and tests.

Both of these online tools are valuable and should be checked on a regular basis.

Q... I get mail from my professor and sometimes my advisor via UBLearns. Why do I need to read my UB email?

UBLearns is one way that communication reaches you as a student, but many important and official communications to students are sent to their university email address. Some examples of official university communications that are sent via e-mail: Mid-Semester Grades, Academic Warning and Academic Probation notices and lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive financial aid. So it's wise to check both on a regular basis.

Q... What is the HUB Student Center?

The HUB Student Center is UB's new student services website where students have one-stop access to academic, financial, and university account transactions. You can access the HUB Student Center via a tab in MyUB.

Last updated: August 15, 2011 12:28 pm EST