Departmental Policies
The School of Architecture and Planning has an admission policy that actively encourages applicants from protected groups and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Admission is competitive, and applicants are reviewed according to the admission criteria. Acceptance of students in the preprofessional, professional, and postprofessional programs is determined on the basis of the applicants' qualifications and experience. However, since the school's size is limited, the admissions committees may exercise discretionary powers of selection. Courses and programs offered by the School of Architecture and Planning may include an instructional technology fee.
A Word About Computers
The University at Buffalo went "all electronic" in 1999. While by now almost all students own their own computers, students may rely upon the availability of computer terminals in every campus building. From these terminals, any registered student may log on and connect to the university's mainframe and its peripheral systems. Students owning a modem may dial in from home and gain access to the UB e-mail server, the Internet, University Libraries, and numerous other services.
The separate fee paid by all students in the School of Architecture and Planning gives them exclusive access to the school's state-of-the-art computing facilities. These facilities have been structured around our students' special needs: high-end statistical computing and database management, computer-aided design and drafting, geographic information systems (including real-time, three-dimensional simulation), and large format color plotting and printing.
Many graduate students find it convenient to purchase (if they do not already own) a portable laptop system for use at school, at home, and in various professional settings such as public meetings. Such systems today can be purchased for about $750 depending upon make, capability, and amount of peripheral equipment. Financial aid is available through the university to assist students with this special expense, if need be. Our staff in the school's CIT lab are available and should be consulted to advise on technical requirements, in advance of purchase of any computer system.
