UB Curriculum - University at Buffalo (2025)

Thisprogram of general education consists of four main components -UB Seminar, Foundations, Pathways and Capstone - and comprises 40 credits of study for all students, regardless of major. To learn more about each of these components and to view learning outcomes,please visit theUB Curriculum website.

Students completing a degree encompassing the UB Curriculum and major requirements will also have met all the expectedState University of New York General Education Requirements.

UB Curriculum Requirements

All students are required to complete their UB Seminar during their first semester of enrollment regardless of full or part-time status. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to enroll in UB Seminar. This includes 60+ and visiting students.

All new matriculating:

• First-year students must complete any academic department’s three-credit UB Seminar course numbered 199.
• Transfer students must complete any academic department’s one-credit UB Seminar course numbered 198.
• Reentering students, who have not previously completed a UB Seminar, must also complete any academic department’s one-credit UB Seminar course numbered 198.

Any student who fails, resigns or withdraws from the UB Seminar will be required to repeat during the next fall/spring term of attendance. For example, a student who fails a 199 in the fall must repeat any 199 in the immediate next spring term. Students who fail to register themselves, will be registered by the UB Curriculum Office.

Communication Literacy I

CompleteENG 105orELI 105(enrollment restrictions apply), please consult theplacement guidelines.Based on TOEFL or IELTS scores, some students may be required to completeENG 100orELI 100as a prerequisite toENG 105/ELI 105.The following can also satisfy this requirement:

• AP English Language & Composition (ENGC) score of 4 or 5*
• SUNY Basic Communication GETA
• Transfer course articulation to ENG 105

* AP Lit & Comp (ELC) does not apply to the CL requirement, nor do IB or CLEP exams.

Communication Literacy I Repeat Policy

• If a student has completed ENG 101, the repeat rule will apply if they enroll in ENG 105 or ELI 105 as the second taking.

Communication Literacy II

Complete one course from the list below. Some majorsrequire students to completea specific Communication Literacy 2(CL2) course as part of their major requirements, consult program requirements. Please note that completion of Communication Literacy 1 is a prerequisite for all CL2 courses.

Students must have 30 or more completed credits to register for a CL2 course.

• AAS 320SEM - Research Methods Credits: 3
• AMS 364SEM - Research Methods Credits: 3
• BIO 387LEC - Communicating in Biological Sciences Credits: 3
• BIO 487LEC - Honors Research Methods Credits: 3
• CL 305LEC - Heroes Credits: 3
• CL 309SEM - Writing Across the Curriculum: Classics Credits: 3
• COM 300DIS - Written Communication Credits: 3
• DMS 413LEC - Writing About Film Credits: 3
• EAS 360LEC - STEM Communications Credits: 3
• END 350SEM - Environmental Design Workshop 1: Methods of Design Inquiry Credits: 6
• ENG 350SEM - Introduction to Writing Poetry and Fiction Credits: 3
• ENG 351SEM - Writing About the Environment Credits: 3
• ENG 352LEC - Writing for Change Credits: 3
• ENG 353LEC - Technical Communication Credits: 3
• ENG 354LEC - Writing about Literature Credits: 3
• ENG 355SEM - Writing About Science Credits: 3
• ENG 356LEC - Professional Writing Credits: 3
• ENG 357LEC - How to Write Like a Journalist Credits: 3
• ENG 358LEC - Writing in the Health Sciences Credits: 3
• FR 343SEM - Advanced Communication for Students of French Credits: 3
• GLY 303LEC - Geological Mapping Techniques and Communication. Credits: 3
• HIS 301DIS - Historical Writing Credits: 3
• ITA 322SEM - Advanced Communication for Students of Italian Credits: 3
• JDS 303LEC - Money and Ethics: From the Bible to the Age of Billionaires Credits: 3
• JDS 385LEC - The Guide of the Perplexed and the Meaning of Life Credits: 3
• JDS 396SEM - Science and Politics in Jewish Thought Credits: 3
• LAI 301LEC - Composing in the Human Sciences Credits: 3
• LIN 356LEC - An Introduction to Contemporary Theories of Metaphor Credits: 3
• MGG 303LEC - Communication Literacy for Business Credits: 3
• MT 426LEC - Technical Communications for the Scientific Professional Credits: 3
• NSG 348LEC - Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research Credits: 3
• PHC 330DIS - Scientific Writing in Pharmaceutical Sciences Credits: 1ANDPHC 331LEC - Clinical and Research Ethics in Pharmaceutical Sciences Credits: 2
• PHI 301SEM - Writing Arguments Credits: 3
• PSY 300LEC - Communicating for Psychological Sciences Credits: 3
• SOC 421LEC - Writing in the Social Sciences Credits: 3
• SPA 314SEM - Advanced Communication for Students of Spanish Credits: 3
• SSC 327LEC - Telling Your Story: Autoethnographic Writing Credits: 3
• SSC 328LEC - Communicating for Health and Human Service Professionals Credits: 3
• SSC 443SEM - Law, Legal Writing and Advocacy Credits: 3
• TNS 309LEC - Writing Human and Social Diversity Credits: 3
• TNS 310LEC - Writing Across Cultures Credits: 3
• TH 320SEM - Writing About Performance Credits: 3

Communication LiteracyII Repeat Policy

• Any ENG CL2 course will replace grade and credit previously earned for ENG 201 by petition only.
• If a student wishes to repeat a CL2 course, the repeat rules will only apply if they enroll in the same CL2 course (identical department and course number).
• Students changing majors may have to complete a second CL2 course if they are seeking a major for which a specific CL2 is a requirement.

Mathematical & Quantitative Reasoning

Complete 4 credit hoursfrom the following listbelow.

General Math and Quantitative ReasoningCourses
Direct enrollment; no placement needed.

• CSE 111LLB - Introduction to Quantitative Analysis and Reasoning with Computing Credits: 4
• LAI 111LR - Mathematical Reasoning and Communication Credits: 4
• MTH 101LR - Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics Credits: 4
• PHI 215LEC - Symbolic Logic Credits: 4

Statisitics Courses
Direct enrollment; no placement needed.

• CEP 207LR - Introduction to Statistics and Computing Credits: 4
• GEO 211LLB - Univariate Statistics in Geography Credits: 4
• MGQ 201LR - Introduction to Statistics for Analytics Credits: 4
• NSG 295LEC - Statistics for Health Care Credits: 4
• PSC 408LLB - Basic Statistics for Social Science Credits: 4
• PSY 207LLB - Psychological Statistics Credits: 4
• SOC 294LR - Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Credits: 4
• STA 119LEC - Statistical Methods Lecture Credits: 3ANDSTA 119REC - Statistical Methods Credits: 1

Pre-Calculus and Calculus Coures
Placement required for enrollment. Please refer to the calculus placement guidlines.

• MTH 108LEC - Algebra and Trigonometry Credits: 2ANDMTH 136LR - College Calculus 1A Credits: 2
• MTH 113LEC - Precalculus without Trigonometry Credits: 4
• MTH 114LEC - Precalculus Credits: 4
• MTH 115LR - Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry Credits: 4(offered at UB SIM only)
• MTH 121LR - Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I Credits: 4
• MTH 131LR - Mathematical Analysis for Management Credits: 4
• MTH 136LR - College Calculus 1A Credits: 2ANDMTH 137LR - College Calculus 1B Credits: 2
• MTH 141LR - College Calculus I Credits: 4
• MTH 153LR - Honors Calculus I Credits: 4
• ULC 148LEC - Precalculus Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry Credits: 4(No longer offered)

Scientific Literacy & Inquiry

Students must complete at least sevencredits, including at least one credit of laboratory. Students select two lecture courses from List A and one laboratory from List B. Laboratory courses must be from the same subject area as one of the completed lecture courses.

Students intending to take chemistryor physicsshould consult the placement guidelines.

List ATwo lecture courses required:

• ARC 352LEC - Structures I Credits: 2 *
• BIO 129LEC - The Human Body And Health Credits: 3
• BIO 130LEC - Human Heredity Credits: 3
• BIO 200LLB - Evolutionary Biology Credits: 5(Lab Included)
• CHE 101LR - General Chemistry Credits: 4
• CHE 102LR - General Chemistry Credits: 4
• CHE 105LLR - Chemistry: Principles and Applications Credits: 5 (Lab included)
• CHE 107LR - General Chemistry for Engineers I Credits: 3.5
• CHE 108LR - General Chemistry for Engineers II Credits: 3.5
• CHE 183LEC - Scientific Literacy, General Chemistry in the World Credits: 3
• (Lab included)
• GEO 101LEC - Earth Systems Science Credits: 3
• GEO 104LEC - Environmental Science Credits: 3
• GEO 106LEC - Global Climate Change Credits: 3
• GGS 103LR - Gender, Women, Bodies, and Health Credits: 3
• GLY 101LEC - Natural Hazards Credits: 3
• GLY 102LEC - Climate Change Credits: 3
• GLY 103LEC - Geology for Engineers Credits: 3
• GLY 137LEC - The Dinosaurs Credits: 3
• MIC 201LEC - Microbes: We Can’t Live With Them or Without Them Credits: 3
• NTR 108LEC - Human Nutrition Credits: 3
• NTR 109LEC - Nutrition in Practice Credits: 3
• PAS 313LLB - Human Anatomy Credits: 4 (Lab included) *
• PHY 101LR - College Physics Credits: 4
• PHY 102LR - College Physics II Credits: 4
• PHY 107LR - General Physics I Credits: 4
• PHY 108LR - General Physics II Credits: 4
• PHY 117LR - Honors Physics I Credits: 4
• PHY 118LR - Honors Physics II Credits: 4
• PHY 121LEC - Astronomy and Cosmic Origins Credits: 3
• PSY 350LEC - Scientific Inquiry in Psychology Credits: 3

*ARC 352andPAS 313do not meet all the learning outcomes, and therefore cannot be paired together. They must be paired with one of the other courses from list A, either as coursework completed at UB or directly articulated transfer credit.

List BOne lab course required:

• ARC 352LAB - Structures I Lab Credits: 1
• BIO 129LAB - The Human Body And Health Lab Credits: 1
• BIO 130LAB - Human Heredity Lab Credits: 1
• CHE 113LAB - General Chemistry Credits: 1
• CHE 114LAB - General Chemistry Credits: 1
• CHE 127LAB - General Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory 1 Credits: 0.5ANDCHE 128LAB - General Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory 2 Credits: 0.5
• GEO 105LAB - Earth, Environment, and Climate Laboratory Credits: 1
• GLY 105LAB - Natural Hazards and Climate Change:Past, Present, Future Credits: 1
• NTR 110LAB - Nutrition in Practice Lab Credits: 1
• PHY 123LAB - Astronomy and Cosmic Origins Lab Credits: 1
• PHY 151LAB - College Physics I Lab Credits: 1
• PHY 152LAB - College Physics II Lab Credits: 1
• PHY 158LAB - General Physics II Lab Credits: 1
• Any lecture course from ListA that indicated “Lab included”

Pathways

Complete one Thematic AND one Global Pathway from the list of approved topics.

For the Global and Thematic Pathways, complete one course from each list within the chosen topic. Each Pathway must include at least nine credits and threecourses, except in cases where a language topic, that only includes twocourses, is electedto satisfy the ninecredit requirement. Global Reflections, International Experienceand all five Thematic Topicsmust include threecourses regardless of credit. Students may request an exception to apply completed or enrolled language courses, not listed in the Global Reflections Pathway, to list 1 or 2. Permissible courses must carry at least threecredits, be taught in the language and carry both the Languages and Humanities UB Areas. Students may submit requests through the Path Finder tool or by emailingUBCurriculum@buffalo.edu.

Students who elect to take a language as part of their Global Pathway should consult theLanguages other than English Placement guidelinesand visit theLanguages Other Than Englishcatalog page for a full view of language offerings.

Except for the language Topics in the Global Pathway, each Pathway must include courses from at least twodifferent subjects. For example, all threeThematic Pathway courses may not be from Psychology (course subject: PSY).

Through thePathways, students will complete coursework that satisfiesat least fourUB Areas/ SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areas.

Thematic pathway courseworksatisfiestheUB Areas/SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areasas such:

Global pathway courseworksatisfies theUB Areas/SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areas as such:

Students must use thePath Finderto select their Pathway courses. Students are encouraged to do so early in their careers in consultation with their academic advisor. If a student selects a particular Pathway via the Path Finder but then fulfills a different series of courses, they must update their selection in the Path Finder.

Transfer students may use transfer coursework that fulfills a UB area as outlined in thePathways: Application of Transfer Coursework Transfer students will be able to view such coursework in their Path Finder.

Test credit may be used only where a direct articulation to a Pathway course exists.

In an unusual circumstance where transfer coursework associated with a SUNY GETA does not appear in the Path Finder tool, the Transfer Credit Change Form should be submitted.

Utilizing Study Abroad Coursework
Students may fulfill their Global Pathway with Study Abroad coursework in several ways.

1. Students may pursue the International Experience Track (IET) by completing the entire pathway with coursework taken abroad. Students must have their coursework pre-approved by the Study Abroad Office to verify that proposed courses for lists 1 and 2 satisfy the UB Areas/SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areasas indicated in the table above.
2. Students may pursue the Global Reflections Track by applying one or more study abroad courses that carry the appropriate UB Area/ SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areasas indicated in the table above.
3. Students may pursue the Language Track by applying one study abroad course to list 3 in any Language Topic.

Coursestaken abroad do not have to include ‘global’ content. The experience itself satisfies this requirement. Study abroad coursework may only be applied to a Thematic Pathway if it is a direct articulation. Internships, independent study and other tutorials may not satisfy any UB Curriculum requirement, including Pathways.

UB Curriculum Capstone

CompleteUBC 399. All other UB Curriculum components must be complete or in progressto enroll in the UB Capstone. UB Seminar is a prerequisite toUBC 399and therefore cannot be taken concurrently. The Capstone will require reflection on all components of the UB Curriculum. Any student enrolled inUBC 399who does not meet the enrollment requirements will be dropped from the course.

General Education Policies

General Information

Continuing students who entered between fall 2002 and spring 2016 will adhere to the2002-2016 General Education Program.

Students who entered UB’s Singapore Institute of Management prior to fall 2017 will adhere to the2002-2016 General Education Program.

Students entering or reentering UB who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited US college or recognized foreign institution will not be required to complete the UB Curriculum when earning theirsubsequent degree.

Reentering Students

Reentering student, whose initial catalog year is fall 2002-spring 2016, they may be allowed to graduate under the 2002-2016 General Education Program in effect during their initial entry to UB if one of the following conditions have been met:

• Student had previously completed the former general education program (fall 2002-spring 2016), or;
• is within three courses of completing the former general education program (fall 2002-spring 2016); they may complete the remaining courses and graduate with the previous general education program.

They may do so by submitting a General UBC Petition Form.

Reentering students whose initial catalog year predates 2002 will adhere to the general education program that is active atthe time of their reentry regardless of the number of courses completed prior to their break in attendance. Students should review their previous coursework with an academic advisor for potential application to the UB Curriculum via course substitution. A Pre-2002 Curriculum Mapping Form should be submitted for these requests.

NOTE: Any transfer coursework completed since the student’s time at UB will be reviewed and applied to the student’s degree requirements per transfer articulation rules and SUNY General Education Transcript Addendum (GETA) policies.

Course Applicability

A given course may be applied toward only one UB Curriculum requirement.

Courses in which the student opts for S/U grading may not be used to satisfy UB Curriculum requirements.

Internship, independent study, undergraduate teaching, experiential learning, and other courses not based on classroom experiences may not be used to meet UB Curriculum requirements.

Transfer Coursework and Test Credit

GradedTransfer courses from accredited institutions and other alternative creditsthat articulate directly to the specified courses listed for each respective UB Curriculum requirement may be used to fulfill that particular requirement.

SUNY has established minimum General Education requirements for campuses across the SUNY system. Students should understand that meeting SUNY General Education requirements at other campuses does not mean that they have completed the UB Curriculum.

A SUNY General Education Transcript Addendum (GETA) will be accepted as meeting the relevant UB Curriculum requirement, regardless of the direct course it articulates to at UB, if the GETA is earned prior to matriculation (for new students) or re-matriculation (for reentering students) at the University at Buffalo. For such students, SUNY GETAs will apply to the UB Curriculum as follows:

• Basic Communication will fulfill the Communication Literacy 1 requirement.
• Mathematics will fulfill the Math and Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
• Natural Sciences will fulfill one lecture course of the Scientific Literacy and Inquiry requirement. (Articulated courses may be used to fulfill the remainder of this requirement.)
• U.S. History and Civic Engagement, TheArts, WorldLanguages, Humanities, World History & Global Awareness, Social Sciences and Diversity: Equity, Inclusionand Social Justicemay be used to fulfillcourses required for the Thematic or Global Pathway. (Articulated courses may be used to fulfill the remainder of this requirement.)Please refer to thePathways: Application of Transfer Courseworkfor details.

When courses are taken elsewhere while a student is matriculated at UB, only the direct course articulation will apply to the UB Curriculum/General Education requirement. GETAs earned by UB students during their matriculation at UB will not be applied. This includes (but is not limited to) GETAs earned at other institutions via cross registration, while on Leave of Absence, or during summer or winter sessions of an academic year during which the student is an active UB student.

UB students transferring to other SUNY schools will be awarded a SUNY GETA as follows:

• Communication Literacy 1 fulfills Basic Communication.
• Math and Quantitative Reasoning fulfills Mathematics.
• The first lecture course for Scientific Literacy and Inquiry fulfills Natural Sciences.
• Pathwayscourses fulfill Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, US History and Civic Engagement, The Arts, World Languages, Humanities,World History and Global Awareness, and Social Sciences, depending on courses completed.

Learning Outcomes

UBC Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the UB Curriculum you will:

1. Attain and apply knowledge in written, oral and visual communication; mathematics and quantitative reasoning; and natural sciences.
2. Acquire, apply, analyze, evaluate and integrate knowledge from a wide range of disciplines.
3. Attain and apply critical thinking skills to define and solve problems.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of human and cultural diversity within local and global contexts.
5. Acquire the knowledge, skills, technologies, ethical judgment and personal responsibility for effective citizenship, professional leadership, and lifelong learning.
   

UB Seminar

Having completed a three-credit UB Seminar (199), you will be able to:

• Think critically using multiple modes of inquiry.
• Analyze disciplinary content to identify contexts, learn fresh perspectives, and debate and discuss problems in the field.
• Understand and apply methods of close reading, note taking, analysis, and synthesis.
• Recognize and debate ethical issues and academic integrity in a variety of settings.
• Demonstrate proficiency in oral discourse and written communication.
• Develop essential research and study skills, such as time management.
• Understand the academic expectations pertaining to being a student at the University at Buffalo and to higher learning at a research university.

Having completed a one-credit UB Seminar (198), you will be able to:

• Describe the unique character of higher learning in a university, such as deep domain knowledge, the role of research, and the value of experiential learning.
• Articulate the components of the UB general education program and the integration of multiple disciplines.
• Understand the requirements for your chosen major or field of study and explore the professions most commonly associated with that major or field.
• Understand the necessity for writing/communication in university and professional settings.
• Develop essential study skills, such as time management.
• Recognize and debate ethical issues and academic integrity in a variety of settings.

Communication Literacy

Communication Literacy 1

Having completed Communication Literacy 1 course, you will be able to:

• Compose persuasive arguments in varied media (oral, visual, digital, written) for diverseaudiencesthat reflect commonstandards ofacademic, professional, and civic genres
• Find, comprehend, evaluate and document sources in a constantly evolving information environment
• Support arguments ethically with credible and relevant sources
• Improve their writing through a productive writing process that includes drafting, giving and receiving peer feedback and significant revision
• Vary written genre conventions appropriately for structure, paragraphing, tone and mechanics
• Develop proficiency in evaluating and analyzing written, visual, digital and oral arguments representative of diverse perspectives and voices.

Communication Literacy 2

Having completed Communication Literacy 2, you will be able to:

• Compose in academic, professional, and/or workplace genres related to a field of study.
• Apply writing processes common to that field.
• Compose and deliver a professional presentation.
• Describe the conventions of genres within a field.
• Make effective disciplinary and professional arguments.

Math and Quantitative Reasoning

Having completed the Math and Quantitative Reasoning course, you will be able to:

• Choose appropriate methods or models for a given problem, using information from observation or knowledge of the system being studied.
• Employ quantitative methods, mathematical models, statistics, and/or logic to analyze data and solve real-world problems beyond the level of basic algebra.
• Identify common mistakes and/or limitations in a.) empirical and/or deductive reasoning, and b.) mathematical, quantitative, and/or logical problem solving.
• Interpret mathematical models, formulas, graphs, and/or tables, to draw inferences from them, and explain these inferences.

Scientific Literacy and Inquiry

Having completed the Scientific Literacy and Inquiry sequence, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate that scientific knowledge applies across multiple scales of size and/or time.
• Demonstrate understanding of and employ the scientific method.
• Demonstrate an understanding that science is a continuous process and that our understanding of scientific phenomena has changed across time.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how scientific principles are used to solve tangible problems.
• Recognize key ethical issues in scientific practice.
• Distinguish scientific information from pseudo-scientific information and demonstrate an understanding of the nature of legitimate scientific debate.

Diversity in the United States

Having completed the Diversity in the United States Requirement you will be able to:

• Understand the challenges and possibilities inherent in a diverse society.
• Think critically, and with an open mind, about controversial contemporary and historical topics stemming from issues such as gender, race, class, ethnicity, religion, and disabilities in American society.
• Understand that categories of diversity develop and change over time.
• Describe how categories of diversity intersect or connect with each other, creating complex identities and perspectives.
• Recognize that categories of difference create both institutional inequalities and advantages.
• Explain how historical contexts (such as Western global expansion, slavery, capitalism, gender inequality, immigration, and/or social movements) have shaped contemporary realities.

Pathways

Having completed the Pathways, you will be able to:

• Examine multiple, sometimes competing or conflicting perspectives, and draw connections between your Pathway courses and selected Pathway topics, in order to develop your own view.
• Critically reflect on selected Pathway topics through different disciplinary lenses.
• Demonstrate an understanding of global issues and events informed by multiple cultures and diverse points of view.

Capstone

Having completed the Capstone, you will be able to:

• Articulate connections across different academic disciplines and perspectives.
• Adapt and apply skills, abilities, theories or methodologies acquired in one situation to new situations.
• Connect relevant lived experiences and academic knowledge.
• Identify a valid learning philosophy and anticipate future challenges where that philosophy can be applied.
• Support arguments with relevant and properly cited artifacts and sources.
• Integrate different forms of communication to enhance meaning (prose, sound, visual media).
• Apply your understanding of digital citizenship to create an academic capstone ePortfolio.