<p>Can anyone comment with authority on which of the SUNY comprehensive colleges (OTHER THAN GENESEO) may have the best departments in the following disciplines:</p>
<p>Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Physics
Math
History (American/European)</p>
<p>Please note I do NOT want to include the University Centers either.
I realize that many these colleges are very similar in certain ways but would like some insight on these differences.</p>
<p>I'll assume you are ruling out the university centers for a reason, but rule of thumb is that for the sciences one would look at U of Buffalo or Stony Brook-- that being said
Stony Brook recently acquired Southhampton College(?) and is setting up alot of science programs at the location. Yes it is part of Stony Brook but it may have an entirely different atmosphere to the regular SB campus.</p>
<p>ESF program (I never did understand these hyprid programs) at Syracuse U. (Environmental Sciences/Forestry) Lots of bio/ chemistry programs. I think it is SUNY tuition for NY kids , but kids can live, eat etc at Syracuse U. </p>
<p>I'm a SUNY Oswego grad and my d is now at Cortland. The SUNY colleges were originally set up as "Normal" schools meaning they were geared for Teacher's Ed. It is still somewhat true today that a good percentage of the kids at SUNY colleges are going for Teacher's Ed, BUT- most of the colleges have created a niche where they may specialize in a certain field- like Purchase for Performing Arts or Cortland for Sports Management/Phys Ed. I can tell you the Cortland has some joint BA/MA programs in Bio with ESF and Duke University.<br>
I STRONGLY suggest you get the SUNY viewbook. I think it is the clearest may to obtain info on the different SUNY colleges.<br>
If you are thinking of majoring in any of the above fields in order to teach, then find the school that you feel most comfortable.<br>
Having visited many of the SUNY campuses over the past few years, I really have been surprised as to how pleasant the campus atmosphere has been.<br>
Cortland, Oneonta, New Paltz etc. are really quite nice.
A big draw back is that most of the colleges are in rural cold areas - but once you adjust to that, things usually work out quite well-
Good luck (and check out the Suny Viewbook).</p>
<p>Thanks marny1. Actually I am a parent doing a little investigating for my son. He is a good student who may very well have his choice of a number of good colleges, but I want him to make sure he includes some safeties. I discounted the University centers because I am actually pretty familiar with what they have to offer already. Right now my son does not want a very large school anyway, although that may change by next year I imagine.</p>