University of buffalo sociology
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will:
- Be able to identify the major research methods used by sociologists, compare and contrast the utility and relevance of a range of methods to the study of different social issues, and apply some basic research methods to the analysis of social issues
- Obtain knowledge of basic social science statistical methods and be able to apply statistics
- Be able to describe the significance of social theory to society, compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations, and apply some basic theories to social issues
- Have comprehension of the theory, methods, and content of one or more of the areas of Family and the Life Course, Law and Social Policy, Social Inequalities, Urban and Community, or Work and Organizations. Students who choose among the major electives in our core areas will obtain more knowledge of the major historical and contemporary approaches, theories, and methods associated with the subarea within the discipline.
The Learning Environment
We offer courses from across the main subfields in sociology, with specializations for majors in health and society, crime, law and justice, and global sociology. Our course offerings range from small discussion-based classes to larger lectures and online courses. Our department encourages the development of research skills among our undergraduate students both in the classroom, through our research-intensive course offerings, and outside the classroom, through faculty-student research collaborations.
About Our Facilities
The Sociology Department is housed in Park Hall. The department holds classes in centrally scheduled space throughout the campus, which includes traditional classrooms and lecture halls.
About Our Faculty
We have an intellectually diverse and research-productive faculty that deliver high quality graduate and undergraduate mentoring and training, engage in extensive professional service, and publish research in top general and specialty journals. More than half of the Department faculty actively seek grants, and several faculty members have received awards over the years for outstanding teaching. We also have 3 Teaching Assistants and 4-5 adjuncts who teach our undergraduate courses.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit our department website for additional information about our faculty.
Career Outlook
As a broad social science, an undergraduate degree in sociology provides students with the technical and analytic tools, critical thinking skills, and global perspective needed to navigate the 21st century successfully and succeed in many careers. The jobs current students apply for after graduation may not even exist yet. To keep up with a rapidly changing world, sociology majors acquire the tools to critically analyze the world and their place within it. They also learn the practical skills they need to succeed.
Graduates apply their knowledge and skills across a wide variety of occupations and professions including medical and health services, recreation, business, law and law enforcement, urban planning, social policy, and social services. They are also prepared for graduate and professional school programs in areas such as sociology, medicine, health professions, law, public policy, business, social work, and other social sciences.
Academic Advising
Students may contact the Sociology department (716-645-2417) for information on advising, or contact the CAS Advisement Office (716-645-6883).
Academic Advising Contact Information
Darren Portis advises Sociology students with a last name beginning with A-L, and Eric Streeter is the adviser for students with last names M-Z.
Scholarships and Financial Support
The Nathaniel Cantor Scholarship Fund is an annual scholarship for sociology or anthropology undergraduate students who plan to enter social work, vocational rehabilitation, or anthropology.
The Sociology Scholarship for Study Abroad is awarded annually to undergraduate sociology majors and minors and criminology minors who require financial assistance to fund participation in a study abroad program. Awards are granted on a competitive basis to defray the expense of airfare for the program.
The Department of Sociology also offers several scholarships to eligible UB undergraduate sociology majors and minors and criminology minors who decide to extend their studies after receiving the Bachelor's degree, by pursuing a Master's degree in Sociology at UB.
Students in our program may also qualify for scholarships and financial support from a number of other sources, including: Nationally Competitive Fellowships and Scholarships, and UB College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships and Awards.
