University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Chemistry BS
Buffalo, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Want to make a big impact? Start by thinking small—at the molecular level, to be precise. As a chemistry student, you'll get a whole new perspective on everything around you as you study the composition of matter, and then use your knowledge to make our lives better. How? By developing more effective pharmaceuticals, making sure our water is safe to drink, developing new materials for longer-lasting products … the list goes on and on.
What will I learn?
In the classroom, you'll gain a solid understanding of the main areas of chemistry. But you can only learn so much from lectures and textbooks, which is why you’ll spend significant time conducting experiments, building strong lab skills, and using state-of-the-art instruments. You’ll also have opportunities to go (far) beyond, whether it's tackling problems that cross into other majors, learning how to best communicate your findings, or addressing ethical problems involved in chemistry.
Chemistry BA vs. BS
- The BA is a flexible major that offers a broad-based education
- The BS is designed for students who are seeking a career as a professional chemist
What can I do outside of class?
Gain practical experience, make strong bonds (no pun intended!) with faculty, and discover your true passions through research. Even as an undergraduate, you can play a key role in a research project. We’re here to help you find the best fit, whether you’re interested in drug discovery, energy storage, imaging, or nearly any other topic. Beyond research, you can join one of our science-focused student organizations, study abroad, or build your experience (and your network) through an internship.
One of the best things about this major is the flexibility it gives you. As a chemist, you might work for a pharmaceutical company, manufacturing facility, hospital or even a government agency like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or NASA. You can decide what type of chemist you want to be (biochemist, environmental chemist, forensic chemist, etc.). You may also want to teach in a secondary school or at a university or college, so you can inspire your students with your love for chemistry.
Some of the most popular fields for chemists include:
- Education
- Electronics
- Energy and petroleum
- Environmental science
- Food and drug
- Forensic science
- Material design
- Medicine and health
- Oceanography
- Patent or environmental law
- Pharmaceuticals
- Veterinary medicine
- Waste disposal
Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study and loans, and is provided through many different agencies including federal and state governments as well as individual departments at UB.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Scholarships
- I Applied, What’s Next?
- Special and Unusual Circumstances
You must meet the following basic criteria to be eligible for federal financial aid:
General Eligibility Requirements
- Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen;
- Have a valid Social Security number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau;
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment (matriculated) as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for Direct Loan program funds and at in at least 3 credit hours for Pell Grant funds (repeated coursework may not be counted in enrollment in some instances);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the University at Buffalo;
- Sign a certifying statement on the FAFSA stating that:
- You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant and
- You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes;
- Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives; AND
- Not be in default on a on a Federal Student Aid loan.
Citizenship Verification
Students who indicate that they are U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens on the FAFSA who cannot have their citizenship status confirmed through the FAFSA application process will be required to complete the UB Citizenship Verification process.
To complete the verification, you will need to complete the Citizenship Verification form and present the original documentation proving your citizenship status as listed on the form to our office.
Students completing this process should also contact the Social Security Administration to update its database to avoid this requirement in the future.
High School Transcript or Equivalent Verification
For federal financial aid, you must provide one of the following if you are a first-time student or a transfer student with less than 24 earned credit hours:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the ability-to-benefit alternatives.
If your final high school transcript is not on file with the Office of Admissions on the first day of classes of your first term, the processing of your awards may be delayed.
For all New York State financial aid awards, a final official high school transcript from a U.S. high school, or an equivalent recognized by New York State, must be on file at UB by the first day of classes of the term to which the award is to be applied. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an ineligible status for that term. Eligibility may be regained in subsequent terms once the transcript is received.
Dependency Status
For purposes of Financial Aid, all students are considered either Dependent or Independent. Dependent students are required to provide parent information on their FAFSA. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student.
Unusual Enrollment History
If you have enrolled in and received federal financial aid at multiple institutions over the last 4 years, UB may request official transcripts from those institutions.
Renewed Eligibility After a Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
If you have applied for or have received a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge of your federal student loans or TEACH Grant service obligation, you will not be eligible to receive a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant in the future unless:
- You obtain a certification from a physician that you are able to engage in substantial gainful activity; and
- You sign a statement acknowledging that the new loan or TEACH Grant service obligation cannot be discharged in the future on the basis of any injury or illness present at the time the new loan or TEACH Grant is made, unless your condition substantially deteriorates so that you are again totally and permanently disabled.
In addition, if you are approved for TPD discharge based on SSA documentation or a physician’s certification, and you request a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant during your 3-year post discharge monitoring period, you must resume repayment on the previously discharged loans or acknowledge that you are once again subject to the terms of your TEACH Grant service obligation before you can receive the new loan or TEACH Grant.