College of Engineering

Overview

This is a most exciting time to be in the College of Engineering at Cornell, with twenty-first century engineering is at the epicenter of an explosion in new knowledge. Revolutionary discoveries in science, engineering, medicine, mathematics, and the social sciences have not only changed the way we interact with the world around us but have blurred the boundaries between academic disciplines. Engineering is the catalyst for bringing disciplines together and pushing forward the amazing advances made possible by those collaborations.

This interdisciplinary approach requires depth and breadth that is intrinsic to Cornell and unparalleled at other institutions. Cornell Engineering is one of a constellation of Cornell colleges and schools that make up a world-class research university. Engineering draws from, and contributes to, the university's strengths in fields as diverse as medicine, veterinary sciences, and the life sciences, and we leverage that excellence through twelve academic units within engineering.

The impact of first-rate research on the educational enterprise is immeasurable. Our engineering students, immersed in this atmosphere of collaborative discovery, learn from and work with faculty members who are pioneering new knowledge at the forefront of their fields. Participation in this research-enhanced environment opens a world of possibilities for students and produces inspired individuals: critical thinkers and creative leaders to address the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

Ezra Cornell sought to found an institution where "any person can find instruction in any study." Cornell Engineering is a showcase of his vision; the breadth of our program is nationally unique.

Centers, facilities and programs of particular interest to the engineering community can be found at one of our many Engineering web pages.

Website: engineering.cornell.edu

General Information

Administration

Engineering Advising

180 Rhodes Hall, (607) 255-7414, Engineering Advising Website

Engineering Advising promotes a collaborative advising process of expansive inquiry, critical thought, and personal responsibility, thereby empowering the individual student to make informed decisions regarding their academic and career goals.

Engineering Advising strives to:

  • Ensure that students have the information, counsel, and resources to succeed;
  • Offer multiple modes of access for students to connect with professional academic advisors;
  • Provide accurate and current information to current Engineering undergraduate students, prospective Engineering undergraduate students, and other interested students regarding major, College, and University degree requirements, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;
  • Work in partnership with Engineering faculty advisors, peer advisors, administration and staff, as well as faculty from other Cornell colleges and schools and various other University entities, in order to promote student success within the College;
  • Work with students in an environment emphasizing the developmental process of student growth and success;
  • Keep abreast of relevant academic advising, student development, and related research and literature to constantly improve our services to students;
  • Promote the shared responsibility of academic advising between the student and the advisor;
  • Evaluate and assess our programs and services.

Professional Academic Advisor responsibilities:

  • Supplement advising provided by faculty advisors and major departments;
  • Focus on first- and second-year unaffiliated students, with continued access for upper-class students;
  • Focus primarily on issues related to the Engineering Common Curriculum and successfully affiliating with a major;
  • Provide specialty advising for:
    • Liberal Studies
    • Study abroad/international experiences;
    • Pre-health careers and how to integrate requirements into the curriculum;
    • Transferring internally (between colleges) within Cornell;
    • Student disability services;
    • Major exploration including the Independent Major and the affiliation process;
    • Minors, double majors;
    • Transfer credit, petitions, and curricular substitutions;
    • The criteria for good academic standing;
    • Voluntary, required, and health leaves of absence and withdrawals.
  • Coordinate the Academic Concerns program; supporting students having academic or personal difficulties and referring students to appropriate campus resources;
  • Provide case management for students who are in need of academic consideration and/or in distress;
  • Protect the privacy of student education records as per FERPA.

Engineering Advising implements the academic policies of the College Curriculum Governing Board (CCGB). The professional academic advisors provide a variety of advising services and programs to assist students in achieving their undergraduate academic and personal goals. Engineering Advising and CCGB evaluates good academic standing for unaffiliated students at the end of each semester and supports students through the affiliation process during sophomore year.

Engineering Registrar

170 Rhodes Hall, (607) 255-7140, Engineering Registrar Website

The Engineering Registrar's Office is the main repository of all engineering undergraduate and Master of Engineering student records.  The Registrar's Office oversees all course enrollment, grading, course scheduling, room assignments, and examination scheduling for the College of Engineering. It is responsible for maintaining current student information on the university's student data systems, including all grade, enrollment, affiliation and transfer credit changes. Additionally, the office manages diploma ordering and official degree posting for all graduating engineering students, ensuring that all requirements are satisfied for the Bachelor of Science degree and the Master of Engineering degree. The office also provides student verification letters, Dean's List posting, petition processing, and assistance with other student registration issues. Official documents relating to academic matters are filed as part of each student's permanent record and held there.

Students seeking an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or certifications of enrollment or degree, may obtain them through their Student Center account or by visiting the Office of the University Registrar in 245 Day Hall.

Engineering Communications Program

463 Hollister Hall, (607) 255-7196, Engineering Communications Program Website

The Engineering Communications Program (ECP) provides instruction in engineering, technical, and non-technical communication, oral presentation, the use of visuals, communication ethics, and group and/or team interactions.

ECP believes that communication is an important way of acting in the world. And, because that world is constantly changing, professionals in engineering must be prepared throughout their career to learn how to communicate. Consequently, the most important objective is to enable undergraduate engineering students to develop strategies for learning to learn how to act effectively and efficiently as communicators.

Enrollment in ECP courses is typically around 25 students per section. Courses taught by the ECP are discussion classes. Students' work and participation receives abundant response, iterative cycles for improvement, and conferences are frequent. Almost every course offered by ECP (which are designated as ENGRC) will involve student teams.

ECP members are available to consult with the faculty teaching communication-intensive courses, and anyone else interested in including communication instruction in their courses.

Office of Inclusive Excellence 

102 Hollister, (607) 255-6403, Office of Inclusive Excellence 

The Office of Inclusive Excellence advances Cornell Engineering’s core values by fostering an inclusive learning environment where all students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We strive to attract and sustain a diverse community of scholars and provide student-centered, collaborative experiences that enhance learning, self-efficacy, and belonging. Through evidence-based programs, strategic partnerships, and continual assessment, we equip engineers to thrive in diverse teams and to innovate solutions to pressing problems, including humanity’s grandest challenges. Committed to innovation and knowledge-sharing, we also offer consultation on inclusive practices to strengthen college communities at Cornell and beyond.

We also advise/co-advise six affinity professional engineering student organizations:

Academic Excellence Workshops are taken in conjunction with core engineering courses including math, computer science, and chemistry. The 1-credit AEWs are weekly two-hour collaborative learning sessions. Designed to enhance student understanding, they feature peer-facilitated group work on problems at or above the level of course material.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence promotes equitable access to high quality, mentored research experiences that prepare Cornell Engineering students for impactful careers by offering workshops to empower students to successfully engage in research, providing funding for undergraduate research experiences, and supporting research mentors. The office’s Undergraduate Research Grants facilitate paid opportunities for students to obtain hands-on research experience with a faculty mentor. Students and faculty may apply for funding to cover student wages and expense costs for the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Tutors-on-Call, offered through the Office of Inclusive Excellence provides free one-on-one peer tutoring for engineering students in many core courses, including math, chemistry, physics, computer science, statistics, and some distribution and upper-level courses.

Engineering Teaching Assistant Development Program provides training sessions, development resources, and a midterm evaluation process for both graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants in Cornell Engineering.

Engineering Career Center

201 Carpenter Hall, (607) 255-5006, Engineering Career Center Website

At the Cornell Engineering Career Center, we're dedicated to empowering students at every stage of their academic journey to achieve lifelong career success. Whether you're a first-year undergraduate or a Ph.D. candidate, we're here to support you in exploring your interests, honing your skills, and navigating your career path in the field of engineering.

Our Services:

  • Personalized Career Advising: Our experienced career advisors are here to guide you through every step of your career development journey, from exploring your interests and talents to preparing for interviews and negotiating job offers.
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Take advantage of Cornell's wide range of career workshops, employer information sessions, and networking events designed to enhance your professional skills and expand your industry knowledge.
  • Job Search Resources: Access our comprehensive career planning tools and resources, including job postings in Cornell Handshake, resume reviews, and interview preparation assistance, to help you secure a career-relevant experience, internship/co-op, or full-time position
  • Employer Relations: We collaborate with Cornell Career Services to build and maintain relationships with employers seeking to recruit Cornell Engineering talent.

Specialized Support:

  • For Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Students: Meet with the M.Eng career advisors who offer tailored support and resources specifically for M.Eng. students, including the opportunity to enroll in ENGRG 5351: Professional Development for M.Eng. Students.
  • For Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Students: The Cornell Graduate School offers additional professional development for future faculty and academic careers as well as careers outside of academia.
  • For Cornell Tech Students: Utilize the services provided by Career Management at Cornell Tech to access career support tailored to your program and career goals.

Co-operative Education Experiences:
With department and college approval, eligible undergraduate students may participate in an engineering co-op during a fall or spring semester.

Academic Credit for Employment
The College of Engineering does not award academic credit for employment, including internships and co-operative education experiences. On occasion, an employer may require a student to receive academic credit for work performed. The College is unable to certify any employer documents which state that the College will award academic credit for a work experience. The Engineering Career Center can provide a letter to the employer stating this policy. Some students may arrange to do an independent study for credit, based on an engineering-related work experience, with a faculty member during the semester following the work experience. It is the student's responsibility to arrange the independent study with a faculty member and to register for the independent study credit.

Verification of Student Status for Employment:
Students may obtain verification of enrollment from the Registrar by completing a request for Release of Information.

Employment as a Degree Requirement:
On occasion, an employer may request verification that you are required to complete an internship/co-op as part of your degree. The College of Engineering does not require an internship/co-op for degree completion, however, individual courses, such as CS 4997 Practical Training in Computer Science and ENGRG 4998 Engineering Practical Training, may require a prior work experience.

Experiential Learning Agreements:
Faculty, staff, students and experiential learning providers are encouraged to refer to guidance from Cornell Career Services when an employer is requesting that Cornell serve as a contracting entity or signatory to a student placement, internship, or other experiential learning agreement.

Funding:
A variety of funds and grants are available that can assist students in funding professional development, summer experiences, research, and other opportunities. You can find these by searching for "fellowships and funding" on the Experience Cornell website.

U.S. Work Authorization:
If you're an international student requiring Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), refer to the Office of Global Learning for the most up-to-date information on OPT and CPT.

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Visit us at the Cornell Engineering Career Center to explore our services, schedule an advising appointment, and connect with employers seeking Cornell Engineering talent.

Engineering Leadership Program

Breazzano Family Center, 4th Floor, 607-254-5708, Selander Center for Engineering Leadership Website

Engineering leaders do more than solve technical problems—they bring people together to turn ideas into action. At the Selander Center for Engineering Leadership, we help students develop the skills and mindsets to lead with integrity, communicate effectively, and collaborate toward a shared purpose.

Our mission is to prepare students to take on complex, real-world challenges with knowledge, insight, and courage. We offer a range of programs to support students across all stages of their leadership journey—from foundational skills to advanced leadership practice. Our approach blends evidence-based leadership and management principles with reflection and experiential learning.

Cornell Engineering Leaders are known for their curiosity, self-awareness, accountability, compassion, and drive. They lead with purpose—and they lead by example.

Cornell Engineering Student Project Teams

Cornell Engineering's Student Project Teams provide an outstanding opportunity for experiential learning in the form of multi-disciplinary teams working on complex problems. Over 1,700 students, from all 14 engineering majors and from across Cornell's seven undergraduate colleges/schools, are engaged in the program, providing students with opportunities to hone leadership, technical, and professional skills alongside teammates from across the college and university. Cornell Engineering currently supports 36 Student Project Teams, ranging from design and build teams to social impact programs to app and web development. Each SPT is divided into several sub-teams, so beyond sharpening technical skills, students from across Cornell gain experience and expertise in business, design, marketing, fundraising, education, operations, and logistics. Faculty advisors and a dedicated professional staff advise and support each team and the overall program. This program is unique in the way it complements the academic curriculum – real-world lessons learned through hands-on project work are solidified through critical reflection and acknowledged with course credit. The symbiosis of student leadership, faculty and staff advising, and integration with the curriculum offers students a rich, multifaceted learning opportunity.

Visit www.engineering.cornell.edu/teams to learn more about the current project teams.

McCormick Teaching Excellence Institute

190 Rhodes Hall, (607) 254-6514, McCormick Teaching Excellence Institute website

The College of Engineering is committed to providing an outstanding education for its students. In support of this mission, Engineering's James McCormick Family Teaching Excellence Institute (MTEI) collaborates with faculty in developing innovative and effective teaching methods and in improving course design, supports faculty efforts in engineering education research, and assists faculty with the education or outreach components of grant proposals. MTEI plays a lead role in classroom redesign, innovation and support.

MTEI gives workshops and provides individual support to faculty on all aspects of education, including development of course syllabi, the use of technology in the classroom, active learning, learning styles, and assessment of student learning. MTEI runs a robust mid-semester feedback program enabling students to give anonymous feedback to their professors during the semester.

The MTEI collaborates with the university's Center for Teaching Innovation on various aspects of teaching support.

International Programs

An international perspective, sensitivity to other cultures, and the ability to read and speak a second language are increasingly important for today's engineers. As a result, the College of Engineering encourages students to study or work abroad during their undergraduate years. Students can participate in a variety of study abroad and international education opportunities and are encouraged to contact the Office of Global Learning at abroad@cornell.edu and the Engineering Advising office at coe_studyabroad@cornell.edu for more information.

Master of Engineering Programs Support Team (MPST)

Carpenter Hall, M.Eng. Programs webpage

Led by the Associate Dean for Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Programs, the M.Eng. Programs Support Team (MPST) provides leadership, guidance, support, and programming for the Ithaca-based M.Eng. community.

The MPST’s scope spans Access (Marketing & Recruiting, Admissions, College-level Fellowships), Experience (New Programs, M.Eng. Program and Student Support), and Outcomes (Professional Development, Job Search Support, Alumni Engagement).  In supporting these functions, the MPST partners with a wide variety of units within and outside of Cornell.  Specific objectives include:

Access

  • Promoting brand awareness to ensure the Cornell M.Eng. is globally recognized as a top professional graduate degree
  • Supporting program efforts to attract and enroll high-quality students, including awarding College-level fellowships
  • Ensuring M.Eng. programs conduct admissions in accordance with best practices that are consistent, legally compliant, and promote a positive experience for applicants

Experience

  • Supporting the expansion of educational program offerings for traditional and non-traditional M.Eng. student populations
  • Informing students about their rights and responsibilities, as well as resources and support available to them throughout their M.Eng. journey
  • Hosting College-wide events, including Orientation, special seminars, and social events, as well as focus groups to provide opportunities for students to be heard
  • Keeping abreast of the current policies and guidance impacting the M.Eng. Community and ensuring programs have the knowledge and resources they need to support their students
  • Connecting students to resources to help them navigate academic and personal challenges
  • Expanding the footprint of industry partners and supporting practitioner engagement in the M.Eng. experience

Outcomes

  • Offering professional development courses to help M.Eng. students secure and succeed in high-quality jobs 
  • Providing career guidance and advising for M.Eng. students and recent graduates
  • Administering the M.Eng. Exit Survey (semi-annually) to track outcomes and use feedback to improve the M.Eng. experience
  • Promoting and facilitating alumni engagement in the M.Eng. experience

Departments

Engineering has 12 Departments and Schools and one program, Systems Engineering.

The Departments of Computer Science and Information Science are in the Faculty of Computing and Information Science (CIS) but offer engineering majors. The Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering is in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and offers engineering majors. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is a joint department between Engineering and CALS.

Departments are linked from each of the pages below.