College of Arts and Sciences

Overview

The College of Arts and Sciences is a community of approximately 4,600 undergraduates and 670 faculty members that embodies Ezra Cornell's founding motto of "any person could find instruction in any study." In over forty departments, ranging from anthropology to economics to physics, the College's faculty members teach their students in over 2,000 courses. In these courses, students critically analyze issues through various disciplinary lenses – an approach that shapes the ways in which students perceive and creatively solve problems, not only as undergraduates but for the rest of their lives. Students also engage in cutting-edge research and scholarly and creative work in collaboration with faculty and researchers. Through a variety of educational experiences students acquire skills that enable them to effectively engage with complex issues they encounter both here and in the world.

The College's liberal arts and sciences curriculum combines immersion in elected majors and minors with exposure to broad, wide-ranging topics through distribution requirements, and electives. Arts and Sciences students learn to think critically and analytically, communicate effectively, and consider problems from many different perspectives in order to solve them in optimal ways.

Students and faculty members are fortunate to be part of the intellectual community of the College of Arts and Sciences and the larger University community. Because Arts and Sciences faculty members teach core theoretical knowledge, most of the 15,000 undergraduates at Cornell take courses in our college at some point in their careers. This wider community provides depth and diversity of applied and professional studies beyond what a college of the liberal arts and sciences alone can offer. We are proud of the abundant variety and outstanding quality in many fields, including interdisciplinary fields. The emphasis on individual academic freedom and responsibility gives the college and university a distinctive character.

Website: as.cornell.edu

General Information

Administration

  • Peter John Loewen, Dean – (607) 255-1097
  • Rachel Bean, Senior Associate Dean for Math and Science – (607) 255-4146
  • Patrizia McBride, Senior Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies – (607) 255-4146
  • Derk Pereboom, Senior Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities – (607) 255-4146
  • Michelle Smith, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education – (607) 255-3386
  • Esther Feng, Associate Dean of Alumni Affairs & Development – (607) 255-8478
  • Warren Petrofsky, Associate Dean of Administration – (607) 255-1097
  • Tricia Ritterbusch, Assistant Dean of Communications – (607) 255-7165
  • Duncan Bell, Director of Administration – (607) 255-5004
  • Ray Kim, Director of Advising – (607) 255-5004
  • Irene Lessmeister, Director of Admissions – (607) 255-4833
  • Jennifer Maclaughlin, Director of Career Development – (607) 255-4166

Student Services and Admissions

Admissions

The A&S Admissions Office is responsible for recruiting, selecting, and enrolling each talented and diverse class of undergraduate A&S students. In support of the University's academic mission, admissions staff evaluate more than 25,000 applications each year, including the Early Decision and Regular Decision rounds for prospective first-year students, and external and intra-university transfer applicants in both semesters. Throughout the year the office engages in outreach to potential applicants, hosts information sessions for prospective students and their families, and, in spring, coordinates communication and events for newly admitted students. The office oversees a Student Ambassador Program of inspiring current students who further support these outreach efforts. The office is located on the first floor of Klarman Hall in KG17, and at as.cornell.edu/undergraduate.

Registrar

The Arts & Sciences Registrar's Office is the main repository of all A&S undergraduate student records. The office supports both students and faculty, as well as the curricular and instructional activities of the college by providing accurate grading, enrollment and student record services to the entire A&S College. It is responsible for maintaining current student information on the university's student data systems, including all grade, enrollment, and transfer credit changes. Additionally, the office manages diploma ordering and official degree posting for all graduating A&S students, ensuring that all requirements are satisfied for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The office also provides student verification letters, Dean's List posting, petition processing, and assistance with other student registration and policy inquiries. Official documents relating to academic matters are filed as part of each student's permanent record and held there. Part of A&S Student Services, the Registrar's Office is located in KG17 Klarman Hall, and at as.cornell.edu/registrar.

Career Development

A&S Career Development offers a variety of services to help all students and recent graduates define and pursue their career goals. Counselors are available, by appointment, or during drop-in hours to meet with students to discuss career exploration, internship and full-time job search strategies, graduate and pre-professional plans, and more. The office is located in 172 Goldwin Smith Hall, and at as.cornell.edu/careers.

Advising

The A&S Advising Office is a resource for students and their parents, as well as faculty and peer advisors. Along with a faculty advisor, each student is also assigned to an academic advising dean who works with them throughout their time at Cornell. They are available to guide students in defining their academic and career goals, advise about special academic options and college policy, and help when personal or academic issues arise. Part of A&S Student Services, the Advising Office is located in KG17 Klarman Hall, and at as.cornell.edu/advising.

Pre-Major Faculty Advisors

Each new student is assigned a faculty advisor. Advisors help students plan programs of study and advise them about ways to achieve their academic goals. Advisors may also help students with study or personal problems or may direct them to other offices on campus where help is available. Academic difficulties may frequently be solved or avoided if students and advisors recognize and address problems early.

Faculty advising for incoming first-year students will take one of two forms. Students who have expressed an interest in biological sciences will typically be advised through a program organized through the Office of Undergraduate Biology. All other students will meet with their faculty advisor weekly, as a group, during the first part of the semester, through the first-year advising seminar.

Both in the first semester and in subsequent semesters, students are encouraged to meet their advisors individually to discuss academic or personal issues or to petition for an exception to college rules. We recommend that students seek input from their faculty advisor early in the semester, before it is too late to drop courses and to discuss their academic progress. Advisors and advisees should meet at least once each semester to discuss courses for the following semester, and more often if advisees wish to.

Major Faculty Advisors

After acceptance into a major, each student is assigned a faculty advisor in his or her department, with whom the student shapes and directs the course of study. The advisor eventually certifies the completion of the major. Students should consult their major advisor about all academic plans, including honors, study abroad, acceleration, and graduate study. The advisor's support is especially important if a student petitions for an exception to the normal procedures or requirements of the college.

Student Advisors

Each new student is assigned a peer advisor, who is a current student, who provides information and advice about life at Cornell and helps new students become oriented to the university.

Departments

An asterisk* below indicates the departments and programs that offer only minors. Students may pursue minors in any department or program in any college that offers them, subject to limitations placed by the department offering the minor or by the student's major. Click on the links below to see the department websites.

Africana Studies and Research Center  
American Studies  
Anthropology  
Archaeology  
Asian American Studies Program*
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Biological Sciences
Biology & Society
Chemistry and Chemical Biology  
China and Asia-Pacific Studies  
Classics  
Cognitive Science Program
College Scholar Program  
Comparative Literature  
Computer Science
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences     
Economics  
Literatures in English  
Environment & Sustainability  
Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies  
German Studies  
Government  
History  
History of Art     
Humanities Scholars Program**
Inequality Studies*
Information Science       
Jewish Studies Program
Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program*
Latina/o Studies Program*
Law and Society*
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Studies*
Linguistics  
Mathematics  
Medieval Studies*
Music  
Near Eastern Studies  
Performing and Media Arts
Philosophy  
Physics  
Psychology  
Public Policy
Religious Studies  
Romance Studies   
Science & Technology Studies  
Society for the Humanities**
Sociology  
Statistics and Data Science   
Visual Studies*

*

Departments and programs that offer only minors

**

The Society for the Humanities and the Humanities Scholar Program do not offer a major or a minor.

Society for the Humanities

Durba Ghosh, Taylor Family Director

The Society for the Humanities was established in 1966 as one of the first humanities institutes in North America. Located in the historic home of Cornell's first president, Andrew Dickson White, the Society annually awards fellowships for research in the humanities. Our fellowships bring distinguished visiting Society Fellows together with Cornell Faculty and Graduate Student Fellows to pursue research on an interdisciplinary focal theme.

Fellows offer experimental, innovative seminars on their research topics open to advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Those interested in auditing a course should contact the instructor for permission. The Society for the Humanities does not offer a major or a minor.

The Humanities Scholars Program

Verity Platt, Director

The Humanities Scholars Program fosters independent, interdisciplinary undergraduate research in the humanities, and provides a supportive community, through a series of curated courses, structured mentorship, research opportunities and funding, and special programming at the Andrew Dickson White House.

Accepted students must declare a major, or a minor, in the humanities; take a minimum of five approved courses; produce an honors thesis or capstone project (which could be in their major outside the humanities); and present at the annual Humanities Scholars Conference.

Special Academic Opportunities

The following programs allow students to alter the regular college or major requirements or to work toward more than one degree.

Double Registration with and Early Admission to Professional Schools

Registration in the senior year of the College of Arts and Sciences and the first year of Cornell Law School or the Johnson Graduate School of Management is occasionally possible. A very few exceptionally well-prepared students who have earned 108 credits before the start of the senior year and have been accepted by one of the above-named professional schools may be permitted to register simultaneously in the college and in one or another of these professional schools during the seventh and eighth terms. They earn the B.A. degree after the first semester of professional school.

Students with 8 or fewer credits and two or fewer courses to complete may apply to enter the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program during (but no earlier than) their eighth semester. They earn the bachelor degree after their first term with dual enrollment and then formally enter the Graduate School for their final M.Eng. term.

Students interested in the joint program with the Law School, the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs (CIPA), or the Graduate School of Management, or in early admission to the master of engineering program should apply to the relevant program. All candidates should confirm their eligibility with an advisor in the Student Services Office, KG17 Klarman Hall.

Double-registered students must, of course, complete all requirements for the B.A. degree, including 100 credits in Arts and Sciences courses.

Independent Study and Undergraduate Research

Independent study affords students the opportunity to pursue special interests or research not treated in regularly scheduled courses. A faculty member, who becomes the student's instructor for the independent course, must approve the proposed study and agree to provide continuing supervision of the work.

An excellent way for undergraduates to benefit from being at a research university is to participate in ongoing faculty research. About 650 students participate each year in undertaking research and earning independent study credit for what they learn and contribute. They sharpen their critical and creative abilities and test their interest in pursuing a research career. Sometimes they publish their work.

Students interested in research should consult the director of undergraduate studies in the department of interest to find out about available opportunities and can also consult undergraduateresearch.cornell.edu. The Cornell Undergraduate Research Board, an undergraduate organization, conducts an annual open house to help students get started in research and an annual forum at which undergraduates present their work.

To apply for independent study, students must, in agreement with their independent study faculty supervisor, complete the online form and submit it before the add deadline. On this form, students must outline a proposal for independent study, describing the proposed project, the expected results/deliverables, the number of hours of work and supervision and the number of credits. The faculty supervisor will need to approve the independent study form electronically once submitted and include the number of credit hours.

Independent Study should be regarded as at least as demanding as a regular course assignment. The following are guidelines for assigning credit for independent study:

  • In a laboratory, approximately three hours of work per week is usually expected for each credit.
  • In tutorials in the humanities and social sciences, the amount of work required for an independent study should more than equal the amount required for a regular course (three hours of work and one class meeting per week for each credit).
  • For one or two credits, the written work may be a series of short assignments, project reports, or compilation of data.
  • For three or four credits, students should produce an integrated written paper as is required in an advanced seminar, or a detailed laboratory report which includes critical bibliographical work and an explication of the context of the particular study. In some cases the project itself - a film, a novel, a construction - replaces written results of research. But in all cases something reviewable must be produced. Credit may not be awarded for experience alone.

Note there are the following restrictions:

  • Students who are being paid for assisting faculty in research cannot earn course credit for that work.
  • In one semester students may earn a maximum of six credits of independent study or project team with one instructor or a maximum of eight credits with more than one instructor or project team.

Prelaw Study

Law schools seek students with sound training in the liberal arts and sciences; they neither require nor prefer any particular program of study. Students should therefore study what they love and do well. While doing that, they should also develop their powers of precise, analytical thinking and proficiency in writing and speaking. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences who are applying to law school are encouraged to consult the Pre-Law Advisor in A&S Career Development, 172 Goldwin Smith Hall (as.cornell.edu/pre-law). For additional information on preparing for law school, including work experience and necessary examinations, students may consult the Pre-Law module on the Career Development Toolkit.

The presence of the Cornell Law School on campus provides the opportunity for a limited number of highly qualified Cornell undergraduates to apply and be admitted to the Law School. The Cornell University & Cornell Law 3+3 Accelerated Pathway Scholars Program provides an accelerated path to the Law School where students will spend three years as an undergraduate student and three years at Cornell Law. At the time of entry, students must have completed a minimum of 108 of the 120 credits required for the bachelor's degree, have successfully completed six undergraduate semesters, and completed all major, college, and University requirements. Once matriculated, up to 12 academic credits from the student's first semester at Cornell Law will be applied towards general elective requirements to reach the 120 credits required for the bachelor's degree. Once 120 credits have been reached, students will have met all undergraduate degree requirements and their bachelor's degree will be conferred at the next degree conferral date.

Students considering applying to this program should consult with the Pre-Law Advisor in A&S Career Development, 172 Goldwin Smith Hall early in their sophomore year to discuss eligibility and application requirements. Interested students should apply junior year during Cornell Law's application cycle.

The college offers a minor in law and society. This program offers a broad scope, complements almost any major, and attracts many students not intending to become lawyers as well as some who do. For further information, visit the Law and Society minor page.

Health Careers

The breadth and depth afforded by a liberal arts education are invaluable for students planning health careers, whether they intend to practice or go into research. Such education has a profound effect on the health professional's understanding of the world and hence usefulness to patients, and it affords the flexibility of mind that is needed for major research undertakings. Health professions schools do not prescribe or even prefer a particular major; they do, however, require particular undergraduate courses. Students who are interested in health careers should refer to the Health Professions Advising Center and meet with our A&S Health Careers Exploration Career Counselor to discuss opportunities to learn more about health careers.

Milstein Program in Technology and Humanity

The Milstein Program in Technology and Humanity is a highly-selective enrichment program for students who want a small cohort experience which fosters team building, collaborative learning and lifelong relationships. Students apply during admission to Cornell, with some space reserved for current students to apply in the spring of their first year. The Program combines a superb liberal arts education in Cornell's College of Arts & Sciences with cutting-edge programs for undergraduates at Cornell Tech in New York City. Milstein Program students understand the necessity of a diverse set of skills to tackle today's most challenging issues. The interdisciplinary learning experience of the Milstein Program helps students become innovative leaders across a broad spectrum of fields—leaders who are both tech-savvy and steeped in humanistic values.

The Milstein Program is supported by these courses

AS 1102AS Advising Seminar0.5
AS 1111Milstein First-Year Project3
AS 3112Milstein Independent Study1-4
AS 3113Milstein Studio1
Milstein Summer at Cornell Tech
AS 3200Milstein Junior Project Development1
AS 3201Milstein Junior Project3

Milstein students choose among 41 majors in the College of Arts & Sciences and pursue a broad and rigorous course of study in the liberal arts and sciences. 

In their junior year Milstein Program scholars undertake an original research project and present their research at the end of their junior year. Funding is set aside for each Junior to use for this research project.

During the summer of their first year, students participate in programming in-residence at the new Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City with access to leading thinkers and practitioners in technology, industry and design, and all that the city offers.

College of Engineering Co-op

The College of Engineering Co-op is an educational experience combining academic and career interests with industry experience, offering the opportunity to clarify academic focus and test career interests and goals. While the Co-op semester does not count as a semester of residency in the College of Arts and Sciences, students may be able to retain their initial graduation date through early graduation or additional summer session enrollment. Arts and Sciences students wishing to participate in the Co-op program should contact the Engineering Co-op Office at engr_coop@cornell.edu and may wish to discuss their academic plan with an advisor in the A&S Student Services Office.

Study Abroad

Students may be approved to study abroad for a maximum of two semesters on programs approved by the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The college approves semester and year-long study abroad programs that offer the opportunity for rigorous and relevant academic study in the liberal arts and sciences, and that offer the opportunity for our students to participate meaningfully and substantially in the cultural and social environments of the host country.  The college only approves study abroad programs that offer at least one of the following:

  • Immersive study of the language and culture of the host country—with all courses taken in the language of the host country.
  • High quality direct enroll courses in the liberal arts and sciences at an accredited institution in the host country.  These direct enroll courses may be taken either in English or in the language of the host country.
  • A unique opportunity in the student’s major field of study not available here at Cornell, as determined by the department conferring the student’s major degree.

The college does not approve study abroad programs that tour more than one country or that are more touristic than scholarly in content and structure. The college does not approve programs that are predominantly experiential rather than academic in nature.  International students will not be approved to study in their home country.

The Office of Global Learning's Education Abroad office provides general advising on program choices and coordinates the application process for all Cornell students. For detailed information on approved programs and the application process, see Education Abroad.

Students will also work with their Arts and Sciences study abroad advisor as they plan how their study abroad coursework will integrate into the Arts and Sciences curriculum. Arts and Sciences students who wish to study abroad should review as.cornell.edu/education/study-abroad, and then meet with their Arts and Sciences study abroad advisor noted at the bottom of that page.

Requirements for College Approval to Study Abroad

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application and until departure
  • Good academic standing at the time of application and until departure
  • Must be admitted to a major (or eligible to be admitted to a major) at the time of application to study abroad
  • Must be a second-semester sophomore, a junior, or a first-semester senior during the study abroad semester(s). Students may not study abroad in their final semester
  • Must complete the FWS and college foreign language requirement prior to departure
  • For non-English speaking countries, prior to departure, must complete the language coursework required by the host program, or a minimum of one semester in the language of the host country—whichever is greater.  (If the program is a unique curricular opportunity in the student’s major field of study, as determined by the major department, the college’s requirement to take one semester of the language prior to departure may not apply.)
  • Must outline a reasonable plan for completion of all degree requirements within eight semesters as part of application to study abroad.  This plan should allow for completion of all degree requirements after study abroad, in case specific degree requirements are not fulfilled while abroad.
  • Must fulfill any additional requirements set by the study abroad program
  • No unresolved grades of "Incomplete" prior to start of the semester abroad
  • Must fulfill the Arts and Sciences residency requirement (see Residency Requirement for the College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Must be applying to a study abroad program approved by Arts and Sciences

Area Studies

All students wishing to study abroad are strongly encouraged to take a course on the history, culture, economics, politics, or social relations of the country or world region of the study abroad destination—either here at Cornell or while abroad. As students prepare to study abroad, they should thoughtfully consider whether their experience abroad would be most enhanced by taking an area studies course at Cornell before their departure, or by taking it as one of their study abroad courses.

Courses, Credits and Grades

Students who successfully complete a full academic load of approved liberal arts courses will earn 15 Arts and Sciences credits toward their degree for each semester abroad.

  • All students must enroll in a full course load as defined by the host institution, and all courses must be taken for a letter grade. No credit is awarded for grades below a C (or the equivalent).
  • Students may not earn additional credit for enrolling in extra courses during the semester or year abroad.
  • All coursework must be eligible for Arts and Sciences credit; any course that falls outside the scope of the liberal arts and sciences may only be taken with the prior approval of the student's Arts and Sciences study abroad advisor, and will earn non-Arts credits. Students are limited to one such course per semester.
  • Students studying abroad in non-English speaking countries are required to enroll in at least one course conducted in the language of their host country.
  • All study abroad courses must be taken entirely in person—no hybrid or online courses are permitted.
  • Internships will not earn academic credit. Students who elect to participate in an internship opportunity must remain enrolled in the equivalent of 12-15 academic credits. (If students elect to take an internship course, they would usually be eligible to earn 12 rather than 15 academic credits for the semester abroad.)
  • Students may not register for independent study credit or any other courses at Cornell while they are enrolled in programs abroad. (Exceptions may be made for students who must enroll in ROTC courses while abroad in order to maintain their eligibility for that program, or for students who must enroll in a Cornell honors thesis course while abroad in order to pursue honors in their major department. Students who wish to ask for permission to take an ROTC or honors thesis course while abroad must petition Arts and Sciences for permission to do so before committing to their study abroad program.)

All proposed study abroad courses must be approved by the student's A&S study abroad advisor as part of the application process, and any later changes to this list of approved courses must have their approval for assurance of credit. Credit from study abroad may be used to satisfy distribution requirements with the approval of the study abroad advisor.

Major credit is confirmed by the department only after completion of study abroad and examination of all relevant coursework. Final credit for study abroad can be awarded only after completion of the term abroad, and after the college receives the official program transcript.

All courses and grades will be listed on the Cornell transcript exactly as they appear on the study abroad transcript. Grades earned abroad are not converted to the Cornell grade scale and are not calculated into the Cornell GPA.

Study Abroad While on Leave of Absence

Study abroad undertaken during a fall or spring semester while on a leave of absence will not receive academic credit of any kind.

Residency Requirement

The College of Arts and Sciences allows a maximum of two semesters approved study away from the Cornell campus to count toward semesters in residence. Transfer students from external institutions may use a maximum of one semester of study away from campus for the residency requirement. Approved study away semesters include all Arts and Sciences approved study abroad programs, Cornell in Washington, Cornell in Rome, and the Cornell China and Asia-Pacific Studies Program. See Residency Requirement on the Arts & Science Graduation Requirements page in this catalog for more information.

Brooks School Cornell in Washington DC Connect Program

Cornell in Washington DC Connect is a spring semester or summer program in the heart of Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital. This unique experience offers students in all colleges an opportunity to earn full academic credit for the spring semester or summer. Students take part in small courses led by Cornell faculty, and gain work experience through an internship of their choosing, while living in the Brooks School's residence hall near Dupont Circle. Learn more about the Cornell in Washington DC Connect.

Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML)

Shoals Marine Laboratory is Cornell University's own marine field station on Appledore Island, located in the Isles of Shoals archipelago in the Gulf of Maine. SML focuses on marine science education, research and sustainability, and is open to students in all majors across Cornell. The lab offers introductory biology courses (BIOSM 1500, BIOSM 1610, BIOSM 1780) that fulfill college requirements, as well as a wide range of upper-level courses, all with an emphasis on hands-on biological field work. Courses are taught in two-week blocks all summer, and earn credits that show up directly on Cornell transcripts. Scholarships, paid internships and student employment opportunities are available to all Cornell students. Visit Shoals Marine Laboratory for a complete list of courses and opportunities.