TAURUS FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

NOTE: If you have other questions, try the TAURUS Help button links for more comprehensive information, or Email TAURUS.

What is TAURUS?

TAURUS is a web-based tool for students planning to transfer to UB. Once you create a TAURUS account you can research the requirements of UB degrees, discover how courses taken at other campuses transfer to UB and learn how they apply toward your intended major.

When should I start using TAURUS?

Now! You should start planning as soon as you think you may want to transfer to UB. It’s a good idea to research the requirements to make sure you are taking the appropriate courses.

How exactly do I get started?

There are two ways for you to use TAURUS: You can become a Member or sign-on as a Guest. Members can use all the features of TAURUS. To establish a member account select “New Account” from the TAURUS sign-on page and follow the directions. Your school association will be “University at Buffalo” with the School ID “UB.” Guests do not have a TAURUS account and are not able to use the “My Courses” or “My Plans” features. To log in as a Guest select “Guest Login” from the TAURUS sign on page and follow the directions.

What are the benefits of setting up an account on TAURUS?

With an account you can create a plan with My Courses from as many schools as you have attended and with matched courses from a transfer institution you will attend before you transfer. Without an account, ONLY course equivalencies and UB academic programs are available. With an account you’ll receive a much more powerful and useful experience from the TAURUS system.

A course I have taken at a transfer campus is not showing up in that institution’s Equivalency Guide. Why is this?

TAURUS includes information about the entire catalog of courses for campuses from which students regularly transfer but courses for campuses from which only a few students transfer may not be available. When you are admitted to UB you will receive instructions on how to request a review of courses that aren’t yet matched in TAURUS.

I need help with the equivalency guide. How should I read it?

Equivalency Guides display current course articulation between transfer institutions and UB. Use the instructions available on the Guest or Member home page at the link called Step-by-Step Guide to Courses. Remember, articulation changes from year to year and it is important to note the beginning and ending dates for each course rule.

Why did I receive an error message when I requested an academic program?

Academic program information is updated daily at the close of business, Monday-Friday at around 5:00 p.m. EST. If you request an academic program at or around this time, you may receive an error message. Please try again later. If you receive an error message at any other time of day, please email TAURUS with the program name and time you received the error.

What is the function of “Add a course”?

“Add a Course” allows TAURUS members to enter their own transfer courses into their member account. Any Plan created after Adding a Course to TAURUS will analyze that course and show how it applies to requirements for the UB major program selected for the Plan. Courses entered into TAURUS through “My Courses” will remain in your TAURUS account for a year after the last time you view your account information. Members can add or delete courses as desired.

What kind of My Plans can I select and how do they differ?

There are two types of My Plans: regular and with equivalencies. A regular plan displays requirements for the selected degree and matches courses listed in My Courses to the major requirements. It also shows requirements that have been completed. Instructions for creating a plan are available at Step-by-Step Create a Plan.

A Plan with equivalencies includes My Courses and the selected UB major program as described above, but in addition it displays matching courses from a selected transfer institution in green text. These are matched courses that can be taken for UB requirements. Note: If “My Courses” satisfy a degree requirement, the matched courses will no longer display.