Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
Africana Studies
Students should submit:
1.
2.
3.
4.
a statement of why they want to be an Africana Studies major;
a tentative outline of the area of study they are considering (African, African American, Caribbean or African
Diaspora) for the major; and
a full transcript of courses taken and grades received
a proposal for an advisor from the Africana faculty
The director of undergraduate studies will review the applications and notify students within two weeks of the status of their
request.
American Studies
Students who contemplate becoming American Studies majors are encouraged to speak with the program director as early as
possible to arrange for a major advisor.
Anthropology
No prerequisites are required to enter the anthropology major. Students should see the director of undergraduate studies to
apply to the major and obtain an advisor. Majors prepare a short statement about their interests and goals for the major, and
then meet with their advisor. Majors and advisors collaboratively build a program of study that reflects the student’s
individual interests and the intellectual breadth of the field. Our goal is to provide a close and supportive advising
relationship and a strong and coherent structure for the student’s major.
Archaeology
Prospective majors must complete ARKEO 1200 or one of the basic courses as defined on the Course Listings page before
they will be admitted to the major.
Because the major draws on the teaching and research interests of faculty from many departments to present a broad view of
the archaeological process, interested students should discuss their course of study with a participating faculty member as
early as possible. In some areas of specialization, intensive language training should be coordinated with other studies as
early as the freshman year.
Asian Studies
To become an Asian Studies major, applicants must first successfully receive a minimum grade of B in at least two Asia
content courses. These may include one language course, but writing seminars do not fulfill the requirement. Applications to
major in Asian Studies must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
Astronomy
Astronomy relies heavily on preparation in physics and mathematics. Consequently, many courses in these fields are
included as prerequisites. In preparation for the major, students normally elect the introductory physics sequence :
PHYS 1112 –PHYS 2213 –PHYS 2214 or PHYS 1116 –PHYS 2217 –PHYS 2218 [Honors version]
and the complementary pathway in mathematics:
MATH 1110 –MATH 1220 –MATH 2210 –MATH 2220 or MATH 1910 –MATH 1920 –MATH 2930 –MATH 2940 (or
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
equivalent).
Notes: Students who anticipate undertaking graduate study are urged to elect the honors physics sequence PHYS 1116 –
PHYS 2217 –PHYS 2218 –PHYS 3318 –PHYS 3327 if possible.
We recommend, but do not require, that prospective astronomy majors take at least one of the following courses: ASTRO
2211 , ASTRO 2212 , ASTRO 2290 . Students are also urged to acquire computer literacy. ASTRO 3334 is designed to give
students hands-on experience with the methods of analysis, visualization, and simulation needed in astrophysical research.
Acceptance to the major is first considered after completion of three semesters of introductory physics and mathematics and
in general requires a GPA of 3.2 in physics and mathematics courses.
Biological Sciences
In the first three semesters biology majors are expected to take Evolution and Diversity, Investigative Biology Laboratory,
and two courses from three core “choice” areas of biology: Comparative Physiology, Cell and Developmental Biology, and
Ecology and the Environment. Two additional core courses, Genetics and Genomics and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
are required of all biological sciences majors and are typically taken in the sophomore or junior years.
Whenever possible, students should complete Investigative Biology Laboratory, and two core choice courses, general
chemistry, and mathematics sequences in their freshman schedule. Students should work closely with their faculty advisor
and staff advisors in the Office of Undergraduate Biology to design a suitable academic course plan. Sample course schedules
can be found at biology.cornell.edu/advising. By completion of the sophomore year, all students who intend to major in
biological sciences must declare the major and a concentration through the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 216 Stimson
Hall.
Biology & Society
Because of the interdisciplinary nature and flexibility of the Biology & Society major, we do not allow students to triple major.
All students should have completed a year of college-level biology or two entry-level biology courses before submitting an
application during their sophomore year.
A&S students are encouraged to apply [by the same deadline as HE and CALS students], but applications will be accepted
after the deadline of their sophomore year. Applying during this period will ensure an optimal advising experience prior to
pre-enrollment. Juniors are considered on a case-by-case basis. Upper-division applicants should realize the difficulties of
completing the major requirements in fewer than two years.
[Freshmen admitted to the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Ecology as Biology & Society majors are
considered to have been admitted to the major on a provisional basis, contingent on successful completion of the course
requirement in introductory biology and submission of the application to the university major.] The application includes (1)
a one-page statement explaining the student’s intellectual interests in the Biology & Society major and why the major is
consistent with the student’s academic goals and interests; (2) the theme the student wishes to pursue in the major; (3) a
tentative plan of courses fulfilling Biology & Society requirements, including courses already taken and those the student
plans to take; and (4) a transcript of work completed at Cornell University (and elsewhere, if applicable), current as of the
date of application.]
Acceptance into the major requires completion of the course sequence in introductory biology. Sophomores in the process of
completing this prerequisite may be admitted to the major on a provisional basis. It is the student’s responsibility to assure
that final acceptance is granted upon satisfactory completion of the introductory biology requirement. Although only
introductory biological science is a prerequisite for acceptance, students find it useful to have completed some of the other
requirements (listed below) by the end of their sophomore year, preferably by the end of the first semester. Students who are
considering the major may also find it beneficial to take STS 2011 - What Is Science? An Introduction to the Social Studies of
Science and Technology , in their freshman or sophomore year.
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Admission to the chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses which, when
taken together, demonstrate an ability to complete the major.
Students who have completed the following courses with grades of C or better are almost always admitted to the major:




Introductory Chemistry: CHEM 2070–CHEM 2080 or CHEM 2150.
Organic Chemistry CHEM 3570 or CHEM 3590 or CHEM 3530 (classes of 2017 or later) or CHEM 1570 (alternative
majors only)
Mathematics: MATH 1110
Physics: PHYS 2207 or PHYS 1112
Students who are second-term sophomores or beyond who have completed all but one of these requirements may also be
admitted to the major provided that they have a plan for completing the requirements for the major on schedule. Students
with a grade of C– or lower in one of the required courses may be considered for admission to the major after additional
coursework (typically one semester) has been performed satisfactorily. Students who have received more than one grade
below C in the required courses are not encouraged to apply for admission to the major.
To apply for admission to the chemistry major, please fill out the Application for Admission to the Chemistry Major (and
Course Program for the Alternative Chemistry Major, if necessary). Attach a copy of your most recent transcript, and submit
the completed forms to the Office of Undergraduate Studies, 131 Baker Laboratory. You will be notified of the decision on
your application and your major advisor by e-mail.
China and Asia-Pacific Studies
There are no prerequisites to the major.
However, the following information is available from the CAPS website:
[http://caps.cornell.edu/academics/howtoapply.cfm]
Any Cornell College of Arts and Sciences student wishing to become a CAPS major must officially apply to the
program. Entrance is limited to twenty students per class-year. So students are encouraged to sign into the major early upon
their admission to the College of Arts and Sciences. Students who are interested in the CAPS major should





Consult with CAPS Assistant Director, Ms. Haiyan Wang. She can be reached at 607-254-5336 or by email
athw365@cornell.edu.
Fill out the application package, which is available on this page or from the CAPS Office at M101, McGraw Hall.
Obtain an official transcript from the University Registrar’s office.
Return the application package, together with the official transcript and a brief statement of interest to either Haiyan
Wang or to Darla Hill at M101A McGraw Hall.
Declare the major at anytime—even before completing any CAPS course—yet not later than February of sophomore
year in order to be admitted to Cornell in Washington for the fall of junior year; when more than 20 students are
likely to declare the major, a selection committee will screen the applications and only 20 will be admitted to the
major.
Classics
Not specified in Courses of Study [or on the department webpage].
College Scholar
The College Scholar Program is meant to serve students whose interests and talents would benefit from a little more
academic freedom than other students have, who demonstrate exceptional promise, and who show the maturity to plan and
carry out, with the help of their advisor, a well-designed program of study. College Scholars design idiosyncratic programs:
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
some pursue diverse courses in a variety of disciplines that relate to a core research interest; others pursue great depth
within a single discipline on a particular aspect of the field. Up to 40 students in each class are accepted into the program.
Each applicant to the College Scholar Program is asked to write an essay, which is due shortly before the end of term in the
spring of the freshman year. Students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Advising, 55 Goldwin Smith
Hall, for further information.
Comparative Literature
Not specified in Courses of Study [or on the department webpage].
Computer Science
All potential affiliates are reviewed on a case-by-case basis relative to the following criteria:



a grade of C or better in all CS courses and MATH courses
a GPA of 2.5 or better in CS 2110 or CS 2112 and CS 2800 .
a GPA of 2.5 or better in MATH 1120 (or MATH 1220 or MATH 1920 ) and CS 2800 .
Courses used in the affiliation GPA computations may be repeated if the original course grade was below a C. The most recent
grade will be used for all repeated courses. Qualifying courses must be taken at Cornell.
Economics
Prerequisites: [ for Students who Matriculated as Cornell Freshman prior to July 1, 2013]
ECON 1110 and ECON 1120 and MATH 1110 (or equivalents) are required, all with grades of C or better;
MATH 1120 (or equivalent) is recommended.
ECON 3010 with a grade of C or better substitutes for ECON 1110 ; ECON 3020 with a grade of C or better substitutes for
ECON 1120 .
Admission to the Major:[for Students who Matriculate as Cornell Freshman after July 1, 2013]
Before applying for admission to the Economics Major, students must complete ECON 1110 - ECON 1120 (or ECON 3010ECON 3020) and MATH 1110 (or equivalents), with grades of C or better. After completing these courses, see the Director of
Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in the Economics Department for admission to the Major.
English
The department recommends that students prepare themselves for the English major by taking one or more 2000-level
courses, many of which provide introductions to important aspects of literature, culture, and theory that are also covered in
more advanced courses. These courses concentrate on the skills basic to the English major and to much other academic
work—responsive, sensitive reading and lucid, strong writing. ENGL 2800, ENGL 2810, ENGL 2880, and ENGL 2890 are also
suitable preparations for the major, and are open to students who have completed their first-year writing seminar
requirement. However, these introductory courses in creative and expository writing do not count toward the 40 credits
required for the major.
http://www.arts.cornell.edu/english/undergrad/major/
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
Feminist, Gender,& Sexuality Studies
Before applying to the major, the student must complete any two FGSS courses with a grade of B– or better. For FGSS courses
that are cross-listed with another department, students may register through FGSS or the cross-listing department.
Suggested entry-level courses include any FGSS course at the 2000-level, especially FGSS 2010 and FGSS 2020 , both of
which are required for completion of the major. FGSS courses at the 2000 level or above may count as both prerequisites and
as part of the FGSS major. First-year writing seminars may count as prerequisites but not as part of the major.
French
The major in French is divided into two tracks: French literature and French cultural studies. Prospective majors should try
to plan their programs as far ahead as possible, especially if they intend to study abroad. For further information, students
are asked to consult the director of undergraduate studies.
Students are admitted to the major by the director of undergraduate studies but are guided by their individual advisors.
Prerequisite: FREN 2190 - French Intermediate Composition and Conversation II or equivalent (as decided by DUS)
German Studies
Admission: By the end of their sophomore year, prospective majors should have successfully completed GERST 2020 , GERST
2040 , or GERST 2060 .
Government
To be admitted to the major, a student must pass two Cornell government courses.
History
Entry requirement: completion of any two history courses excluding first-year writing seminars.
History of Art
Prospective majors should consult the director of undergraduate studies. Students wishing to declare a major in the history
of art should have completed any two courses above the 1000- level at Cornell in the department by the end of their
sophomore year and have received a grade of B or above in both.
Independent Major
The Independent Major Program allows students to design their own interdisciplinary majors and pursue a subject that
cannot be found in an established major. Proposals for an independent major must be equivalent in coherence, breadth, and
depth to a departmental major, well suited to the student’s academic preparation, and consistent with a liberal education.
Proposals must also be supported by a faculty advisor and are assessed by a board of faculty members. Independent majors
substitute for established majors, but students must still satisfy all the other requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Students
should contact Dean James Finlay, Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Advising, 55 Goldwin Smith Hall, for further
information. Deadlines for submitting independent major proposals are listed on the calendar supplement for the College of
Arts and Sciences.
Information Science
Arts and Sciences students interested in declaring the Information Science major should fill out the major declaration
forms and turn them in to 303 Upson Hall.
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
In order to declare the IS major, students must meet the criteria for admission to the major.
All potential majors are reviewed on a case-by-case basis relative to the following criteria:
Completion of 4 core courses, one in each of the 4 core course areas (i.e. Math and Statistics, Human-Centered Systems,
Information Systems, and Social Systems). Courses must be taken for a letter grade.
A grade of C or better in each of the completed core courses with an overall average for these courses of 2.5 or better.
Note: Courses used for the purpose of declaring the major may be repeated if the original course grade was below a C. The
most recent grade will be used for all repeated courses. Qualifying courses must be taken at Cornell.
http://www.infosci.cornell.edu/academics/degrees/ba-college-arts-sciences/admission-major
Italian
Not specified in Courses of Study.
But the following information is available on the ROMS website:
Students wishing to enroll in the minor must fill out the minor registration form and contact the Director for Undergraduate
Studies, Professor Marilyn Migiel, who will assign a faculty advisor to students.
Linguistics
Prerequisites:



LING 1101 - Introduction to Linguistics
plus one of the following Foundation Courses : LING 3302 - Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology ; LING 3303 Introduction to Syntax and Semantics ; LING 3314 - Introduction to Historical Linguistics
with a minimum grade of B- in both courses
Mathematics
Prerequisites:
Students are admitted to the major after successfully completing a semester of multivariable calculus and a semester of linear
algebra. The department recommends either MATH 2210 –MATH 2220 or MATH 2230 –MATH 2240 with grades of B– or
better.
MATH 1920 with a grade of B– or better may be substituted for MATH 2220 . MATH 2940 with a grade of B– or better may
be substituted for MATH 2210 . Although MATH 2130 and MATH 2310 are not recommended for students planning a math
major, MATH 2130 with a grade of B+ or better may be accepted as a substitute for MATH 2220 , and MATH 2310 with a
grade of B+ or better may be accepted as a substitute for MATH 2210 .
A 3- or 4-credit computer programming course with a grade of C– or better is also required for acceptance to the major.
Eligible courses include: CS 1110 , CS 1112 , CS 1114 , and CS 2110 .
Music
Students contemplating a major in music should arrange for placement examinations and advising in the department as early
as possible, preferably during the freshman orientation period. Information is available from the director of undergraduate
studies.
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
Prerequisites for admission to the major are completion of MUSIC 2102 and MUSIC 2104 , preferably by the end of the
freshman year, with an overall grade of B– or better in each course. In consultation with the director of undergraduate
studies, students are expected to have chosen an advisor from among the department faculty before acceptance into the
major; admission to the major is decided by the faculty as a whole. Students majoring in music then design their course of
study with their advisor.
Near Eastern Studies
Prerequisites:



The applicant for admission to the major in Near Eastern Studies (NES) must have completed at least two Near
Eastern Studies content courses, one of which can be a language course. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll
in language courses and/or NES 2651 or NES 2754 either before signing into the major or early on in their major.
Prospective majors must meet with the director of undergraduate studies before submitting a major application.
To qualify as a major, a cumulative grade average of C or better is required.
Performing and Media Arts
Prospective majors must consult the director of undergraduate studies, Alison Van Dyke, avd3.
To be admitted to the major, students must have completed any two courses in the department (or equivalent for transfer
students), excluding first-year writing seminars and laboratory classes, and received a grade of B or above in both. These
two courses count toward the requirements for the major.
Philosophy
Students expecting to major in philosophy should begin their study of it in their freshman or sophomore year. Admission to
the major is granted by the director of undergraduate studies of the department on the basis of a student’s work during the
first two years. Normally the student must have completed two philosophy courses with grades of B or better.
Courses numbered in the 1900s, 2900s, 3900s and 4900 do not count toward the major. A course in formal logic (e.g., PHIL
2310), while not required, is especially recommended for majors or prospective majors.
Physics
Physics majors—especially those concentrating within physics—are advised to start the introductory physics sequence in
the first semester of their freshman year, as a delayed start reduces flexibility in future course scheduling. Students who
switch to the physics major after taking introductory physics in their sophomore year can usually still complete an outside
concentration. Students may apply to join the physics major after completing two full semesters of physics courses at Cornell,
together with the appropriate mathematics prerequisites. In order to join the major, students must have at least a grade of Bin two of their Cornell physics courses, and have no physics grades lower than C-. Prospective physics majors with any
physics grades lower than B- should as soon as possible meet with the director of undergraduate studies to discuss their
preparation. Grades of at least C- (or S for S-U only courses) are required in all courses counting toward the physics major.
Prospective majors are urged to meet with the Physics director of undergraduate studies for advice on advanced placement
credit and on program planning. Based on their specific interests, students will be matched with a major advisor by the
director of undergraduate studies. The student and major advisor will then work out the details of the major course program.
Psychology
Admission to the major is usually granted to any student in good standing in the college who has passed three or more
psychology courses with grades of C+ or better. Provisional admission requires two such courses. To apply to the major and
receive an advisor, a major application form may be obtained from the department office (211 Uris Hall) and should be
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
completed and taken to one of the faculty members whose name is listed on the form.
Religious Studies
To sign into the major in Religious Studies, a student must have completed at least one course in Religious Studies. Here is the
process:
1.
2.
Schedule an appointment with Kim Haines-Eitzen, the director of the Religious Studies Program, kjh10@cornell.edu.
In addition to a copy of the current Cornell transcript, an informal one is acceptable, students should bring to their
meeting with the director these forms, available in the Religious Studies office, 409 White Hall: a completed Religious
Studies major application; a proposed plan which will be used to guide the student’s conversation with the director;
and a College of Arts and Sciences advisor/major form, which will be signed by the director and advisor. The advisor
will be assigned in this meeting, based on interest.
Upon entering the major in Religious Studies, a student is assigned a faculty advisor whose area of expertise most closely
matches the proposed interest of the student. An up-to-date list of advisors is available in the Religious Studies office. Please
note: not all faculty members who cross-list courses with Religious Studies can serve as advisors. Working closely with the
Religious Studies advisor when selecting courses is an important component of this program, enabling students to fulfill the
requirements for the major while creating an integrated and coherent course of study out of our large number of
multidisciplinary course offerings.
Science & Technology Studies
Admission to the major requires successful completion of one S&TS course. First-Year Writing Seminars may count as the
prerequisite, but not as part of the major. There are no other prerequisites, but students should plan to fulfill the science PBS
and quantitative MQR requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences early in their college careers in order to be in a
position to take additional science or engineering courses as outlined below.
Students intending to major in Science & Technology Studies should submit an application during their sophomore year.
Juniors are considered on a case-by-case basis. The application includes (1) a one-page statement explaining the student’s
intellectual interests and why the major is consistent with the student’s academic interests and goals; (2) a tentative plan of
courses fulfilling S&TS requirements; and (3) an up-to-date transcript of work completed at Cornell University (and
elsewhere, if applicable). Further information and application materials are available in 306 Rockefeller Hall, (607) 255-6047
Science of Earth Systems
Prerequisites for Admission to the Major*
An understanding of the Earth requires a strong grounding in math and the basic physical and biological sciences. The
requirements described below are the minimum requirements for the major. Students anticipating graduate study or careers
in the earth sciences are strongly urged to complete additional math and basic sciences courses relevant to their
concentration.
* Students must be in good standing with their college and receive a C- or better in all prerequisite courses to be admitted to
the major. Students still completing the prerequisites can be admitted to the major provisionally.
1. Basic Math and Sciences:
This part of the SES curriculum builds a strong and diverse knowledge of fundamental science and mathematics, providing
the student with the basic tools needed in upper-level science classes.
a. Four Semesters of Mathematics
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
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MATH 1910 - Calculus for Engineers
MATH 1920 - Multivariable Calculus for Engineers
MATH 2930 - Differential Equations for Engineers
MATH 2940 - Linear Algebra for Engineers
b. Two Semesters of Physics


PHYS 1112 - Physics I: Mechanics & Heat
PHYS 2213 - Physics II: Electromagnetism
c. Two Semesters of Chemistry

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CHEM 2090 - Engineering General Chemistry
and
CHEM 2080 - General Chemistry II
or
CHEM 1570 - Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry
or
PHYS 2214 - Physics III: Oscillations, Waves, and Quantum Physics
Students may substitute PHYS 2214 for a second semester of Chemistry
d. One Semester of Biology
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BIOG 1140 - Foundations of Biology
or
BIOEE 1610 - Introductory Biology: Ecology and the Environment
or
BIOEE 1780 - An Introduction to Evolutionary Biology and Diversity
or
BIOSM 1610 - Ecology and the Marine Environment
or
BIOSM 1780 - Evolution and Marine Diversity
e. Advisor-Approved Course in Math, Statistics, Computer Science or Natural Science:

An advisor-approved course in statistics or computer science, or an additional advisor-approved course in
mathematics or natural science, including, but not limited to, a course in astronomy, a second course in biology or an
additional course in physics or chemistry.
Please note: If a student elects to count CS 1110 (or CS 1112, or CS 1114, or CS 1115 ) as their advisor approved course in
Statistics, Computer Science, Math or Natural Science, an additional major approved elective is required.
2. Required Introductory Course:


EAS 2200 - The Earth System (crosslisted)
Please note: If a student elects to count EAS/ENGRD 2200 as an ENGRD, an additional major approved elective is
required.
Prerequisites for A&S Majors [as of July 2013]
Sociology
Not specified in Courses of Study.
But the following information is available on the department’s webpage:
Declaring the Sociology Major:
If you are a student in the College of Arts and Sciences and wish to declare a major in sociology, it is in your best interest to do
so as soon as possible (see the college’s advice on how to select a major). If you are not currently in the College of Arts and
Sciences, you need to be admitted to A&S before you can declare. In order to declare the sociology major, you need to take the
following steps:


Complete the major declaration form. Turn it into the undergraduate coordinator, Sue Meyer, in her office, 316 Uris
Hall.
Your declaration will be reviewed by the director of undergraduate studies, Doug Heckathorn, and then sent to the
College of Arts and Sciences for official notification that you have declared. Please allow two weeks for your
declaration to be approved and entered into the campus computer.
Spanish
Students interested in the major are encouraged to seek faculty advice as early as possible Students interested in the major
are encouraged to seek faculty advice as early as possible.. For acceptance into the major, students should consult the
director of undergraduate studies, who will admit them to the major, and assign them an advisor from the Spanish and
Portuguese faculty. Spanish majors will then work out a plan of study in consultation with their advisors. Spanish majors
have great flexibility in designing their programs of study and areas of concentration. Previous training and interests as well
as vocational goals will be taken into account when the student’s program of course is determined.
SPAN 2190 is a prerequisite to entering the major in Spanish.
Statistical Science
Prerequisites to apply for the major include a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA over at least two (2) semesters at Cornell
University; and grades of C or higher in at least two (2) of the following courses to ensure foundational mathematical,
computational, and/or statistical ability:


MATH 1110 - Calculus I
MATH 1120 - Calculus II


STSCI 2200 - Biological Statistics I (crosslisted) or
BTRY 3010 - Biological Statistics I (crosslisted)