How to Apply to Physics at the University at Buffalo: A College of Arts and Sciences Department with Physics BA, BS and Mathematical Physics BS Degrees, Choose Physics on the Application and Stay in the Major by Prerequisite Grades, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Undergraduate physics at the University at Buffalo (UB) is taught mainly by the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, with two further tracks run jointly with engineering. This guide follows UB’s website and the physics department’s website, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students. Where the websites do not say something, the guide says “not published” or “not stated in the pages read” and points to where to check. Mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, computer science and other majors are not covered here; this site has a separate article on UB computer science.

1. Degrees and areas

• Degrees in the Department of Physics: UB’s program page lists the Physics BA, the Physics BS, the Physics BA with a Teaching of Science concentration (physics, or physics and chemistry), the Mathematical Physics BS, five-year combined degrees (the Teaching of Science BA with the Physics Adolescent Education EdM, and the Physics BS with the Materials Design and Innovation MS) and a physics minor. The department says the BA is for students who enjoy physics but want a broader education (or may want to be a secondary school teacher), and the BS is for students who want to be professional physicists and is recommended for those considering graduate school.
• Computational Physics BS: offered jointly by the Departments of Physics and of Computer Science and Engineering, combining the requirements of the Physics BS and the Computer Science BS and overseen by the Department of Physics; there is also a five-year Computational Physics BS/Physics MS. The department page is titled “BS or MS in Computational Physics”, and its text mentions only the five-year combined program.
• Engineering Physics BS: overseen by the Department of Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and co-administered by Physics; the handbook says the application is initiated through the Electrical Engineering Department or SEAS Undergraduate Student Services. The handbook says the Department of Physics cannot confer honors or departmental awards on Engineering Physics students. The website contradicts itself on the degree: the physics overview page says “BA in Engineering Physics”, while UB’s program page, the department’s requirements summary and the handbook say BS; please check the latest.
• Credit structure (department requirements summary; 120 credits to graduate): Physics BS – 51 physics credits (including 9 upper-level elective credits) and 34 credits in technical subjects outside physics; Physics BA – 46 physics credits (including 9 upper-level) and 26 outside physics; BA with Teaching of Science – 57–61 credits in physics, chemistry and mathematics plus 19 in education; Mathematical Physics BS – 40 physics and 38 mathematics credits; Computational Physics BS – 37 physics, 27–30 computer science and 23 mathematics credits; Minor in Physics – 25 physics and 8 mathematics credits.
• Required courses for the Physics BS (undergraduate handbook): General Chemistry CHE 101 and 102; MTH 141, 142 and 241 (calculus), MTH 306 (differential equations), MTH 417 (survey of multivariable calculus) and MTH 418 (survey of partial differential equations); General Physics PHY 107 or Honors Physics 117, PHY 108 or 118, PHY 158 lab, PHY 207, 208 and 257 lab; Intermediate Mechanics PHY 301 and 302; Modern Physics Lab PHY 307; Quantum Mechanics PHY 401 and 402; Electricity and Magnetism PHY 403 and 404; Thermal and Statistical Physics PHY 405; Advanced Laboratory PHY 407 or 408; plus two physics electives and one 3-credit technical elective. The Physics BA has a shorter required list, but it too includes the PHY 307 modern physics lab and the PHY 407/408 advanced laboratory.
• Laboratories: the department says the introductory labs cover forces, kinematics, friction, electrostatics and circuits, and it offers two upper-division labs: Modern Physics Laboratory (PHY 307), on the experiments that established modern physics in the early twentieth century, and Advanced Physics Laboratory (PHY 407 and 408), in which students choose three experiments developed by the faculty and use research-grade equipment.
• Senior thesis and honors: the department encourages majors to write a senior thesis (PHY 497), which allows them to graduate with honors, and says the student does not need to be in the Honors College. The handbook says the thesis is supervised by a physics faculty member, runs at least 20 pages, and needs at least one semester of PHY 497; a major GPA of 3.20, 3.50 or 3.75 earns program honors at the “With Honors and Distinction”, “High Honors” and “Highest Honors” levels (an honors thesis or project is also needed, with at least half the major credits taken at UB). The handbook elsewhere says a student who completes a thesis with a GPA above 3.25 graduates with honors, so two figures coexist; please confirm with the department.
• Size: the overview page says the department has 25 full-time faculty members and about 45 graduate teaching assistants; the handbook says 27 full-time faculty members. The two figures differ.

2. How admission to the major works: choose physics on the UB application, first-year students enter the major directly

• You apply to the university, not to the college: the department says first-year and transfer applicants who want to study physics must first apply and be accepted to UB, indicating the intended major on the application; admission criteria, deadlines and testing policy are on UB’s admissions pages. The first-year page says you indicate your intended major, Common Application users are encouraged to pick a second-choice major, and the admissions process is generally the same for most majors, including exploratory students.
• Prerequisite grades are the real gate: the department’s undergraduate handbook says newly matriculated freshmen are directly admitted into any of its programs but must maintain the acceptance GPA in the prerequisite courses to continue: for the Physics BS and BA and the Teaching of Science tracks, a GPA of 2.0 in MTH 141–142 and PHY 107–108 with the PHY 158 lab, with C or better in each; for the Mathematical Physics BS, the Computational Physics BS and the physics minor, 2.5; for the five-year Computational Physics BS/Physics MS, at least 3.0 in CSE 115–116, CSE/MTH 191, MTH 141–142–241 and PHY 107–108/158–207/257. The teaching tracks also need an application to the education minor, for which the Department of Learning and Instruction requires an overall GPA of 2.5. The overview page says only that most tracks require a GPA in these prerequisite courses, without numbers. The handbook adds that students need a 2.0 in major courses and overall to graduate. Whether places are capped is not stated in the pages read.
• Moving into physics after enrolling: the handbook says students who are not directly admitted should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor John Cerne, state the intended physics major and confirm the prerequisites are finished with at least a 2.0 (the numbers above differ by program); after checking the record he accepts them. Current students in the College of Arts and Sciences can also submit the CAS Major/Minor Change Request form. Engineering Physics applications go through Electrical Engineering or SEAS Undergraduate Student Services.
• Extra review for engineering: the international first-year page says engineering applications receive an additional review of readiness in key science and math areas; whether this applies to Engineering Physics is not stated in the pages read, so ask UB admissions or the Electrical Engineering department.

3. Prerequisites, introductory courses and AP/IB credit

• High school courses: the first-year page says the following are not required for admission but suggested as adequate preparation: four years of English with a substantial writing component, four years of social studies, three years of college-preparatory science, three years of a second language and at least three years of college-preparatory mathematics. Any additional high school physics or calculus requirement for the physics major is not stated.
• First-year courses: the department says most degree tracks require a GPA in MTH 141 and 142 (College Calculus I and II), PHY 107 or 117, PHY 108 or 118 and the PHY 158 lab, that the order matters, and that students should follow the Summary of Physics Major Requirements. PHY 107–108 is a calculus-based sequence for chemistry, engineering and physics majors; PHY 117 Honors Physics I is intended for potential physics majors, Honors College students and advanced students, is described as especially appropriate for students who took AP Physics C in high school, and is taught at a level comfortable for students who would receive a B or higher in PHY 107. A mathematics or physics placement exam is not described in the pages read; please ask the physics or mathematics department.
• AP credit (Registrar’s 2026–2027 table): AP Calculus AB with 4 or 5 maps to MTH 141 (4 credits) and Calculus BC with 4 or 5 to MTH 142 (4 credits), with elective credit for a 3, and a maximum of 8 credits for AP Calculus; Physics C: Mechanics 4 or 5 maps to PHY 107 (4 credits); Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 4 or 5 maps to PHY 108 (4 credits), and the PHY 158 lab credit is added only if the student scored 4 or 5 on both Physics C exams (contact TAURUS to update the record); Physics 1 and 2 (algebra-based) with 3 to 5 map to PHY 101 plus the PHY 151 lab and PHY 102 plus the PHY 152 lab (5 credits each). The table does not say whether these credits replace the physics major’s own required courses; please confirm with the department.
• IB and A-Level: the credits page says students who complete the IB diploma with a score of 30 get up to 30 credits, and those with 29 or less (or no diploma) are guaranteed credit for Higher Level exams with 5 or higher. The Registrar’s table: IB Physics HL with a minimum of 5 earns 13 credits (PHY 101, 151, 102, 152 plus general credit); IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL with a minimum of 5 earns 6 credits of general credit. A-Level Physics earns 10 credits (PHY 101, 151, 102, 152), A-Level Mathematics 8 credits (MTH 141, or MTH 131 plus general credit) and A-Level Further Mathematics 12 credits (MTH 141 and 142 plus general credit). Again, whether they replace major courses is not stated.
• Physics competitions: how competitions such as USAPhO are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Domestic first-year, fall entry: the application opens 1 August; Early Action (non-binding) is 1 November; Honors College priority consideration is 15 December; the Regular Decision application completion deadline is 1 February, and the page says applicants can keep submitting until capacity is reached; the enrollment deposit is due 1 May or 10 days after acceptance, whichever is later. For spring entry the recommended submission date is 1 October. The page shows no year, so check that it applies to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply and fee: ApplySUNY, the Common Application or Coalition for College (one only); the non-refundable application fee is $50, and several fee waivers exist.
• Transcripts and recommendations: a high school transcript or the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record (STARS) completed after applying (a final official transcript is still required); UB strongly recommends at least one letter from a counselor, teacher, community member or employer, up to three; the pages do not require a physics teacher. The FAQ says many applicants are asked for mid-year grades.
• Testing: test optional; UB does not require the SAT or ACT for admission or scholarship consideration. The international standardized-tests page says most admitted applicants who submit scores have an SAT total of 1170 or above or an ACT composite of 25 or above, and those who do not submit are at no disadvantage. SAT code 2925, ACT code 2978.
• Honors College: Common App and Coalition applicants apply within the Academics section of the application; ApplySUNY applicants complete a supplemental application after submitting.

5. US domestic applicants

• In-state and out-of-state costs (2026–27 estimates): the tuition page lists, for New York State residents, tuition $7,070, fees $3,966, on-campus housing and dining $18,606 (double room, Flex 19 meal plan) and related expenses $6,888, with the page’s own total of $36,530; for out-of-state students, tuition $29,070 and the same other lines, with a listed total of $58,530. To qualify as a resident you must prove a permanent and principal home in New York State for at least 12 months before the semester; living in New York to attend college does not count. The rates for fall 2027 entry are not published in the pages read.
• First-year scholarships: high-achieving domestic out-of-state first-year students are automatically considered for the Provost Scholarship (renewable up to four years); high-achieving first-year New York State students are considered for Pride of New York Scholarships (for non-tuition costs such as fees, renewable two or four years), with no additional application; the four-year Presidential Scholarship needs a separate application through the University Honors College; eligible students are invited to the Empire State Diversity Honors/Daniel Acker Scholarship by email. All completed applications, including those that opted not to have scores considered, are reviewed for merit scholarships.
• Department awards: the department says it tries to support undergraduates’ academic and research work and refers questions to John Cerne; the Sekula Memorial Scholarship gives up to seven awards a year to exceptional undergraduates with academic promise and financial need; the Physics Excellence Endowment supports undergraduate research projects and Society of Physics Students activities; and the department encourages applications for national awards such as Goldwater, Fulbright and NSF.
• In-state priority admission: not stated in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Academic expectations: the international first-year page says UB reviews applications holistically (academic marks, test scores, essay and recommendations), uses a 4.0 scale and expects the equivalent of a 3.0 (a B, or 83 on a 100-point scale); admissions counselors convert other grading scales. The required academic documents are listed by country in a drop-down menu, and the page read does not show the China entry; documents not in English need an English translation.
• Minimum English scores (any one): TOEFL iBT 70 (including MyBest, or 4 on the new scale); IELTS Academic 6.0; Duolingo 105; PTE Academic 50; ACT English and reading 18; SAT ERWS 500; IB English A grade 5; AP English Language 4 and/or a B in the class; British (I)GCSE English First Language C and A/AS-Level English C. Scores must be less than two years old at admission; self-reported scores may be used for initial review, and official scores must come from the testing agency.
• English exemption: all three of the following: a citizen of Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore or the United Kingdom; a native speaker of English; and educated entirely in English. Transfer applicants in a U.S. college with qualifying English composition grades can also be exempt.
• International scholarships: the Flagship Scholarship goes to incoming international first-year students with no postsecondary coursework, varies in amount, is renewable up to four years and is considered automatically for all admitted international students; the Presidential Scholarship is also open.
• Costs (2026–27 estimates, F-1/J-1): tuition $29,070, fees $6,466 (including the International Student Fee and SUNY health insurance), on-campus housing and dining $18,606 and related expenses $6,888, with the page’s own total of $61,030. Proof-of-funds details are not stated in the pages read; see UB’s international admissions pages.
• Work: the scholarships page says F-1/J-1 students may work up to 20 hours a week on campus while classes are in session and up to 40 hours during breaks, and may not work off campus without special government permission.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not say whether Gaokao results are considered or what school-leaving materials are required; this is not published in the pages read. You can contact UB’s international admissions office (intadmit@buffalo.edu).
• Transcripts: the international first-year page says the required academic documents are listed by country in a menu; please select China on that page. Documents not in English need an English translation.
• English and testing: see the English score table in section 6; the SAT/ACT is optional.
• International curricula: for AP, IB and A-Level physics and calculus, see section 3.

8. Undergraduate research, outcomes and department resources

• Research: the department says many majors work with faculty on theory-based or experiment-based projects in areas such as biological physics, condensed matter physics and high-energy physics; for credit, register for PHY 498 (Undergraduate Research) or PHY 497 (Physics Honors/Senior Thesis), and a senior thesis is required for graduating with departmental honors. The research mentors page lists faculty by experimental or theoretical area; some groups expect programming (for example C++ and UNIX/Linux). Some research can lead to part-time work during the year or full-time summer work. UB’s Office for Undergraduate Research also lists projects across disciplines.
• Student organizations: the Undergraduate Physics Club is also the Society of Physics Students chapter; SPS members with a GPA above 3.5 are eligible for election to the UB chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma.
• Outcomes: the degree pages say approximately 75% of UB undergraduate physics students go on to graduate school, many continuing in physics and others choosing law, business, medicine, biophysics or medical physics, and list recent graduates accepted at schools including Princeton University, Cornell University, the University of Chicago, MIT and the University at Buffalo. The tuition page says 92% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school (UB Next survey); this is a university-wide figure, not one for physics.
• Teaching track: the program page says UB Teach lets students earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in five years, eligible for New York State professional teaching certification, without applying separately to graduate school.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts as a transfer: students who have completed at least 12 credit hours of college-level work after high school graduation.
• Application and deadlines (domestic transfers): ApplySUNY, the Common Application or Coalition (one only), fee $50. Fall entry: the application opens 1 August, priority scholarship consideration is 15 March and the application completion deadline is 1 May; spring entry: priority scholarship consideration 1 November and a recommended submission date of 1 December. The pages show no year, so check. International transfer applicants share the international table: for fall, Early Action 1 November and Regular Decision 1 February; for spring, a recommended date of 1 October; but the international transfer page labels these “Fall 2026” and “Spring 2027”, unlike the other pages, so please confirm the dates for fall 2027 entry with the admissions office.
• What is reviewed: the transfer page says applicants should be in good academic standing, requirements vary by program, and some departments have supplemental criteria, higher GPAs, departmental deadlines and limited capacity. With more than 24 college credits UB reviews the college record; with fewer than 24 it also reviews the high school transcript. The international transfer page says UB expects the equivalent of a 2.5 GPA, no transcript evaluation is needed (official transcripts with English translations suffice), and for the College of Arts and Sciences, students with 60 or more transfer credits and minimum grades in prerequisite courses may be admitted directly to majors (arts programs need a portfolio or audition).
• The physics department’s transfer conditions: the handbook says transfer students from accredited institutions are admitted to the Department of Physics if they have a one-year calculus-based physics course similar to PHY 107-108/158 and a one-year calculus course similar to MTH 141-142, with an average of 2.0 or better for the Physics BA and BS and 2.5 or better for the Mathematical Physics and Computational Physics BS, each course at C or better; with more coursework, a 2.0 average in all physics and mathematics courses attempted. Physics and mathematics credit transfers only for grades of C or better.
• Credit transfer: UB accepts all college-level credits from regionally accredited two- and four-year institutions, and the TAURUS course equivalency guide shows how courses match; a physics course not already listed needs a Course Articulation Form and a detailed syllabus (textbook and chapters covered). The entry GPA for admission is calculated from all coursework attempted using the UB grading system. International transfers from foreign universities are advised to bring course descriptions and syllabi.
• Dual admission: students in the dual admission programs at Erie, Genesee, Jamestown and Monroe Community Colleges do not submit a UB application when they transfer.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Early Action 1 November; Regular Decision completion 1 February; $50 fee; choose physics (and optionally a second-choice major); testing optional
• Once in the major, keep the MTH 141–142 and PHY 107–108/158 GPA at 2.0 (BS, BA) or 2.5 (mathematical or computational physics) with C or better

International applicants (including China):

• IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 70 or another score in the table; select China on the international first-year page for the required school documents; ask the international admissions office how the Gaokao is used
• Estimated 2026–27 total $61,030 (the page’s own total); all admitted international first-year students are automatically considered for the Flagship Scholarship

Transfer students:

• Fall: 15 March priority scholarship, 1 May completion; a year of calculus and a year of calculus-based physics, each at C or better

Sources: University at Buffalo, Physics; Computational Physics; Engineering Physics; Undergraduate degree list; Physics: undergraduate overview; Physics: undergraduate admissions; Physics BS; Physics BA; Physics: research mentors; Physics: departmental scholarships; Physics: summary of major requirements (PDF); Physics: undergraduate handbook 2026-2027 (PDF); First-year application; International first-year; English proficiency; International standardized tests; Transfer application; International transfer; Dates and deadlines; Special requirements for certain majors; Alternative exam and transfer credits; Registrar: AP/IB credit tables; Tuition and estimated costs; Scholarships. Apart from the international transfer page, which labels its dates “Fall 2026” and “Spring 2027”, the admissions dates show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry. Costs are the 2026-27 estimates shown; check the University at Buffalo for the latest details.