Applied Economics and Management (BS)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, SC Johnson College of Business
Program Description
The Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management (AEM), part of both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, is uniquely poised to seize the 21st century’s emerging business opportunities and tackle its most significant challenges.
The AACSB accredited undergraduate business school provides management education and the opportunity to specialize in accounting; agribusiness management; applied economics; business analytics; entrepreneurship; environmental, energy and resource economics; food industry management; finance; international trade & development; marketing; or strategy.
Students can also easily combine the AEM major with a minor or double major in another of CALS majors in the life sciences, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences or applied social sciences.
Academic Standards
- A grade of D- or better must be obtained to count course for major.
- Only one course in the core requirements may be taken for an S/U grade.
- Independent study coursework does not count toward any of the core or concentration requirements, unless otherwise noted.
- Students are required to complete a minimum of one concentration in order to meet degree requirements.
- If desired, a student may choose to complete an additional concentration, but may not exceed two concentrations towards degree requirements.
- Courses used to fulfill core requirements can not also be used to fulfill concentration requirements.
- Students may apply one concentration elective course to fulfill the requirements of two concentrations.
- All concentration requirements must be taken for a letter grade unless the course is offered S/U only.
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 120
Program Requirements
1. Economics and Management
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 1110 | Introductory Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 1120 | Introductory Macroeconomics | 3 |
| AEM 2200 | Business Management and Organization | 4 |
| AEM 2225 | Financial Accounting For Dyson Majors | 4 |
| AEM 2240 | Finance for Dyson Majors | 3 |
| AEM 2420 | Marketing for Dyson Majors | 3 |
| AEM 2600 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| AEM 2601 | Strategy | 3 |
| AEM 2700 | Management Communication | 3 |
| AEM 3200 | Business Law | 3 |
| AEM 3205 | Ethics in Business and Organizations | 3 |
| AEM 3230 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
2. Quantitative Methods
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Calculus 1 | 3-4 | |
| AEM 2010 | Spreadsheet Modeling for Management and Economics | 3 |
| AEM 2100 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
| Select 3 credits of a quantitative methods elective must be completed from the following list: | 3 | |
| VBA for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| R Programming for Business Analytics and Data Visualization | ||
| Business Statistics | ||
| Risk Simulation and Monte Carlo Methods | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Strategic Thinking | ||
| Probability Models and Inference | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Probability and Statistics | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Game Theory I | ||
- 1
MATH 1110 or higher.
Applied Economics
Must complete at least six credits from two different categories
Sustainable Business and Economic Policy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2500 | Environmental and Resource Economics (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 4500 | Resource Economics (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 4510 | Environmental Economics (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 4515 | (crosslisted) | 3 |
Economic Analysis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 3310 | Introduction to Business Regulation | 3 |
| AEM 4100 | Microeconomics for Management and Consulting | 3 |
| AEM 4140 | Behavioral Economics and Managerial Decisions | 3 |
| AEM 4160 | Strategic Pricing | 3 |
| AEM 4550 | Economics of Advertising | 3 |
International Markets and Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2300 | International Trade and Finance (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 2350 | Introduction To The Economics Of Development | 3 |
| AEM 4300 | International Trade Policy | 3 |
| AEM 4315 | Economics of Developing Countries (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 4350 | Political Economy of the WTO | 3 |
| AEM 4420 | Emerging Markets | 3 |
| AEM 4450 | Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy for Developing Countries (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 4485 | Economics of Food and Malnutrition (crosslisted) | 3 |
| AEM 4545 | Money and Finance in the Digital Age (crosslisted) | 3 |
Food and Agricultural Economics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2310 | Business and Economics of Food | 3 |
| AEM 4150 | Price Analysis | 3 |
| AEM 4210 | Futures, Options and Financial Derivatives | 3 |
Grand Challenges @ Dyson
Grand Challenges requirements must be taken in the following order:
- Grand Challenges Introduction: AEM 1101
- The Grand Challenges Introduction is waived for transfer students
- Grand Challenges Written Expression
- Grand Challenges Project Preparation
- Grand Challenges Project
3 credits of a Grand Challenges written expression must be completed from the following list:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2000 | Contemporary Controversies in the Global Economy | 3 |
| AEM 2555 | Corporate Sustainability | 3 |
| AEM 2805 | Strategic Responses to Poverty and Hunger in Developing Countries | 3 |
| AEM 2810 | The Economics of Vice and Corruption | 3 |
| AEM 2815 | 3 | |
| AEM 2816 | Climate-Smart Agribusiness | 3 |
| AEM 2818 | Sustainable Arguments | 3 |
1.5 credits of Grand Challenges Project Preparation must be completed from the following list:
- AEM 3000 Collaboration and Strategic Impact
- AEM 4401 Field Research Methods in International Developmnt
3 credits of a Grand Challenges project must be completed from the following list:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 3260 | Cooperative Business Management | 4 |
| AEM 3385 | Social Entrepreneurship Practicum: Anabel's Grocery | 3 |
| AEM 4000 | Grand Challenges Project | 3 |
| AEM 4001 | 0.5 | |
| AEM 4002 | 2 | |
| AEM 4003 | 0.5 | |
| AEM 4004 | Grand Challenges Abroad | 3 |
| AEM 4375 | Business Design | 3 |
| AEM 4875 | Low-Income Taxpayer Law & Accounting Practicum | 3 |
| AEM 4876 | 1-6 |
Concentration Requirements
Applied Economics and Management concentrations include:
- Accounting
- Applied Economics
- Business Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Food Business Management
- International Markets and Development
- Marketing
- Strategy
- Sustainable Business and Economic Policy
Accounting
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 3360 | Corporate Financial Reporting I | 3 |
| AEM 3370 | Corporate Financial Reporting II | 4 |
| Select minimum of 9 credits accounting electives from the following list: | 9 | |
| Financial Statements Analysis | ||
| Systems and Analytics in Accounting | ||
| Advanced Accounting | ||
| Cost Accounting and Management Control | ||
| Auditing and Assurance | ||
| Federal Income Taxation | ||
| Fraud Examination | ||
| Federal Income Taxation of Low Income Taxpayers | ||
| Federal Income Taxation of Real Estate Ventures | ||
AEM 4560 | ||
| Advanced Financial Statement Analysis | ||
| Financial Modeling | ||
Applied Economics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 3040 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory | 4 |
| Select minimum of 12 credits of applied economics electives from the following list: | 12 | |
| International Trade and Finance (crosslisted) | ||
| Business and Economics of Food | ||
| Introduction To The Economics Of Development | ||
| Environmental and Resource Economics (crosslisted) | ||
| Introduction to Business Regulation | ||
| Microeconomics for Management and Consulting | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Managerial Decisions | ||
| Price Analysis | ||
| Strategic Pricing | ||
| Futures, Options and Financial Derivatives | ||
| International Trade Policy | ||
| Economics of Developing Countries | ||
| Political Economy of the WTO | ||
| Emerging Markets | ||
| Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy for Developing Countries (crosslisted) | ||
| Economics of Food and Malnutrition (crosslisted) | ||
| Resource Economics (crosslisted) | ||
| Environmental Economics (crosslisted) | ||
AEM 4515 | (crosslisted) | |
| Money and Finance in the Digital Age | ||
| Economics of Advertising | ||
| Select minimum of 3 credits of quantitative methods electives from the following list: | 3 | |
| VBA for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| R Programming for Business Analytics and Data Visualization | ||
| Business Statistics | ||
| Risk Simulation and Monte Carlo Methods | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Strategic Thinking | ||
| Probability Models and Inference | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Probability and Statistics | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Game Theory I | ||
Business Analytics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics or Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Business Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Data Analysis and Visualization | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| VBA for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| R Programming for Business Analytics and Data Visualization | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Complete the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Database Management Systems | ||
| Business Analytics Electives | ||
| Select minimum of 6 credits: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Machine Learning in Business | ||
AEM 3030 | ||
AEM 4010 | ||
| Customer Analytics and Strategy | ||
| Risk Simulation and Monte Carlo Methods | ||
| Systems and Analytics in Accounting | ||
| Data Driven Marketing | ||
| Introduction to Machine Learning in Business | ||
| Python Programming and its Applications in Statistics | ||
Entrepreneurship
Minimum six (6) of the 15 credits must be from AEM courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2220 | Dilemmas in Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Ideation - minimum 3 credits from the following list: | 3 | |
| Design and Innovation | ||
| Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset | ||
| The Business Idea Factory | ||
| Design and Innovation | ||
| Materials Design Concepts II | ||
| Entrepreneurial Strategy - minimum of 3 credits from the following list: | 3 | |
| Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy | ||
| The Business Laboratory and New Venture Management | ||
| The Startup and Venture Capital Experience | ||
| Business Model Innovation and Design | ||
| Advanced Topics in Strategic Management | ||
| The Business of Entrepreneurship | ||
| Industries & Topics - minimum of 4.5 credits from the following list: | 4.5 | |
| Digital Business Strategy | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship Practicum: Anabel's Grocery | ||
| Healthcare Entrepreneurship: Perspectives and Controversies | ||
| Research and Strategy in Emerging Markets | ||
| Digital Platform Strategy | ||
| Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation | ||
| Communication for Entrepreneurs | ||
| Entrepreneurial Management | ||
| Nonprofit Social Enterprise and Food Justice | ||
| Law for Entrepreneurs | ||
| Family Enterprise Management and Governance | ||
| Physical Product Entrepreneurship | ||
| Disruptive Innovation in Health Care I | ||
| Practicum - minimum of 1.5 credits from the following list: | 1.5 | |
| The Business Laboratory and New Venture Management | ||
| Creativity Sprint: An Entrepreneurship Hackathon | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship Practicum: Anabel's Grocery | ||
| Actualizing Your Startup - Part I | ||
Finance
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 4570 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| AEM 4670 | Investments | 3 |
| Select minimum of 9 credits of finance electives from the following list: | 9 | |
| Financial Statements Analysis 1 | ||
| Corporate Financial Reporting I 1 | ||
| Risk Simulation and Monte Carlo Methods | ||
| Futures, Options and Financial Derivatives | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Fixed-Income Securities | ||
| Valuation of Capital Investment | ||
| Money and Finance in the Digital Age (crosslisted) | ||
| Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity | ||
| Financial Markets and Institutions | ||
| Impact Finance | ||
- 1
Only three (3) credits can be used from AEM 3520 Financial Statements Analysis and AEM 3360 Corporate Financial Reporting I toward the nine (9) credits total of Finance electives.
Food Industry Management
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2310 | Business and Economics of Food | 3 |
| AEM 2480 | Food and Consumer Packaged Goods Industry Dynamics | 3 |
| Select minimum of 9 credits of electives from the following list: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural Finance | ||
| Farm Business Management | ||
| Cooperative Business Management | ||
| Supply Chain Strategy and Supermarket Simulation | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Operations Management | ||
| Customer Analytics and Strategy | ||
| Price Analysis | ||
| Futures, Options and Financial Derivatives | ||
| Retail Strategy | ||
| Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy for Developing Countries | ||
| Food Marketing Fellows | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
International Markets and Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| International Trade and Finance (crosslisted) | ||
| Introduction To The Economics Of Development | ||
| Select minimum of 12 credits of international markets and development electives from the following categories A-D: | 12 | |
| A. Minimum of 6 credits of international markets and development methods and topics courses from the following list: | ||
| Rating Nations: Economic Performance and Other Indicators | ||
| International Trade Policy | ||
| Economics of Developing Countries (crosslisted) | ||
| Political Economy of the WTO | ||
| Field Research and Pre-Engagement with Social Enterprises in Emerging Markets | ||
| Emerging Markets | ||
| Research and Strategy in Emerging Markets | ||
| Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy for Developing Countries (crosslisted) | ||
| Economics of Food and Malnutrition (crosslisted) | ||
| Money and Finance in the Digital Age (crosslisted) | ||
| B. Maximum of 3 credits from the following list for students interested in graduate level research: | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Field Research and Pre-Engagement with Social Enterprises in Emerging Markets | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Data Mining and Machine Learning | ||
| Python Programming and its Applications in Statistics | ||
| C. Maximum 3 credits from the following list for students interested in consulting/international law and organizations: | ||
| Research and Strategy in Emerging Markets | ||
| Introduction to International and Comparative Labor | ||
| Evaluation of International Programs and Projects | ||
| International Institutions | ||
| D: Maximum 3 credits from the following options: | ||
foreign language credits; or | ||
a 3-credit directed research course with a Dyson faculty in the international markets and development area on a topic that is broadly related to international markets and development; this experience can involve work overseas or work on a global topic while on campus. | ||
Marketing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 4410 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| AEM 3440 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| or HADM 3470 | Consumer Behavior | |
| Select minimum of 9 credits of marketing electives from the following list: | 9 | |
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy | ||
| Supply Chain Strategy and Supermarket Simulation | ||
| Customer Analytics and Strategy | ||
| Innovation And New Product Management | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
| Price Analysis | ||
| Strategic Pricing | ||
| Retail Strategy | ||
| Emerging Markets | ||
| Data Driven Marketing | ||
AEM 4480 | ||
| Economics of Advertising | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
Strategy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select minimum of 6 credits of strategy upper core courses from the following list: 1 | 6 | |
| Digital Business Strategy | ||
| Strategic Pricing | ||
| Strategic Thinking | ||
| Predictive Analytics for Business Strategy | ||
| Digital Platform Strategy | ||
AEM 4655 | ||
| Select minimum of 9 credits of strategy electives from the following list: | 9 | |
| Managing People | ||
| Negotiation Strategies and Skills | ||
| Design and Innovation | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy | ||
| Cooperative Business Management | ||
| Supply Chain Strategy and Supermarket Simulation | ||
| Leadership and Management in Sports | ||
| Introduction to Operations Management | ||
AEM 4010 | ||
| Customer Analytics and Strategy | ||
| Business Design | ||
| Research and Strategy in Emerging Markets | ||
| Sustainable Business | ||
| Digital Innovation in Media Markets & Creative Industries | ||
| Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation | ||
| Business Management Simulation | ||
- 1
Courses in this category may be used toward either the strategy upper core or elective requirement.
Sustainable Business and Economic Policy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2500 | Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| Minimum of 6 credits from the following list: | ||
| Environmental Finance and Markets | ||
| Resource Economics | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
AEM 4515 | ||
| Strategies for Sustainability | ||
| Finance and Sustainable Global Enterprise Colloquium | ||
| Minimum of 6 credits of quantitative electives from the following list: | ||
| Excursions in Computational Sustainability | ||
| VBA for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling | ||
| R Programming for Business Analytics and Data Visualization | ||
| Business Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Empirical Methods for Applied Economists | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Fundamentals of Database Management and Data Analysis | ||
| Data Driven Analytics | ||
| Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences II | ||
PLSCS 2200 | ||
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Concepts and Application | ||
| Python Programming and its Applications in Statistics | ||
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Additional Requirements for Undergraduate Students
The University has two requirements for graduation that must be fulfilled by all undergraduate students: the swim requirement, and completion of two physical education courses. For additional information about fulfilling University Graduation Requirements, see the Physical Education website.
Physical Education
All incoming undergraduate students are required to take two credits (two courses) of Physical Education prior to graduation. It is recommended they complete the two courses during their first year at Cornell. Credit in Physical Education may be earned by participating in courses offered by the Department of Athletics and Physical Education and Cornell Outdoor Education, by being a registered participant on a varsity athletic team, or performing in the marching band.
Students with medical concerns should contact the Office of Student Disability Services.
Swim Requirement
The Faculty Advisory Committee on Athletics and Physical Education has established a basic swimming and water safety competency requirement for all undergraduate students. Normally, the requirement is taken during the Fall Orientation process at Helen Newman Hall or Teagle Hall pools. The requirement consists of the following: jump or step feet-first into the deep end of the pool, float or tread for one minute, turn around in a full circle, swim 25 yards using any stroke(s) of choice without touching the bottom or holding on to the sides (there is no time limit) and exit from the water. Students who do not complete the swim requirement during their first year, during a PE swim class or during orientation subsequent years, will have to pay a $100 fee. Any student who cannot meet this requirement must register for PE 1100 Beginning Swimming as their physical education course before electives can be chosen.
If a student does not pass the swim requirement in their first Beginning Swimming PE class, then the student must take a second Beginning Swimming PE class (PE 1100 or PE 1101). Successful completion of two Beginning Swimming classes (based on attendance requirements) with the instructor's recommendation will fulfill the University's swim requirement.
Students unable to meet the swim requirement because of medical reasons should contact the Office of Student Disability Services. When a waiver is granted by the Faculty Committee on Physical Education, an alternate requirement is imposed. The alternate requirement substitute is set by the Director of Physical Education.
CALS Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
Students are responsible for understanding and fulfilling all the requirements necessary for graduation. Additionally, students must promptly notify the college of any discrepancies or issues with their academic records.
CALS undergraduate students follow college distribution requirements corresponding to their matriculation/entry term and class standing. Students matriculating/entering before Fall 2025 will complete the existing CALS distribution requirements. First-year students matriculating/entering Fall 2025 or later will be subject to the new CALS 2025+ distribution requirements. However, sophomore and junior transfer students matriculating/entering in Fall 2025 will follow the existing CALS distribution requirement to align with students in their corresponding cohort year. All students must adhere to the requirements designated for their matriculation/entry term and class standing. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Although specific requirements vary between the curriculums, all students must complete the following Graduation Requirements to earn the Bachelor of Science degree:
- University Graduation Requirements
- Credit Requirements
- Distribution Requirements
- Residency Requirement
- GPA Requirement
- Major Requirements
- Application to Graduate
Credit Requirement Policies
- Minimum total credits: 120 academic credits are required for graduation.
- Important Exceptions:
- Repeated Cornell courses that do not allow repeat for credit will not count towards the number of credits required for graduation. These credits do count toward the minimum twelve (12) credits required for full-time status and good academic standing.
- Forbidden Overlaps will not count towards credits required for graduation. These credits do count toward the minimum twelve (12) credits required for full-time status and good academic standing. More information can be found under the Course Enrollment and Credits page.
- Review or supplemental courses (e.g., 1000- to 1099-level) do not count towards the number of credits required for graduation. These credits do not count toward the minimum twelve (12) credits required for full-time status or good academic standing.
- Physical Education courses do not count toward the required 120 credits for graduation. They also do not count toward the minimum twelve (12) credits required for full-time status or good academic standing.
- Important Exceptions:
- Minimum Credits at Cornell: Sixty (60) academic credits must be completed at Cornell (includes Cornell in Rome, Capital Semester, and Brooks School Cornell in Washington DC Connect Program, and Shoals Marine Laboratory).
- Maximum Non-Cornell Credits: Sixty (60) non-Cornell credits (AP, CASE, IB, GCE, French Baccalauréat, Cambridge Pre-University, and external transfer coursework) can be applied toward degree requirements. A student can transfer in a maximum of fifteen (15) academic credits earned before matriculation as a first-year student at any accredited college/university (AP, CASE, IB, GCE, French Baccalauréat, and external transfer credits). Refer to Non-Cornell (Transfer) Credit under Policies and Procedures for additional information.
- All CALS students are required to fulfill a minimum number of CALS Credits, structured credits, and letter-graded credits. Specific policies are in the curriculum sections below.
Residency Requirements
- Eight (8) semesters of full-time study are expected. External transfer students are credited with one (1) semester in residence for each full-time semester (or equivalent) completed at another accredited institution prior to matriculation at Cornell.
- Internal transfer students must complete two (2) semesters in residence in CALS.
- The final semester before graduation must be completed in a Cornell program as a full-time student. Summer or winter semesters cannot be counted as a final semester. (The School of Continuing Education does not count towards a final semester in residency.)
- Students in the ninth (9th) (or equivalent) and final semester may be eligible to apply for prorated tuition. The eligibility criteria are listed online.
- The following programs are in residency: Cornell in Washington DC Connect Program (Fall or Spring only), Capital Semester, Shoals Summer Semester.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.00 or above must be maintained. Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better to graduate. The cumulative GPA includes all letter grades earned at Cornell.
CALS Degree Requirements Prior to 2025 (applies to Transfers entering Fall 2025)
These requirements apply to: First-year students who matriculated before Fall 2025, sophomore transfers who matriculate prior to Fall 2026, and junior transfers who matriculate before Fall 2027. All students must follow the requirements based on their matriculation and expected graduation dates. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Students are required to fulfill:
- University Graduation Requirements:
- Physical Education.
- Swim Requirement.
- Credit Requirements: 120 academic credits, of which a minimum of fifty-five (55) must be taken from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell. A minimum of one hundred (100) credits must be in courses for which a letter grade was received. PE and supplemental courses do not count as academic credit.
- Fifty-five (55) CALS Credits are required for graduation. CALS Credits consist of courses offered within CALS and in Applied Economics and Management, Biological Sciences, Biology & Society, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Environment and Sustainability, Information Science, Nutritional Science, and the Department of Statistics and Data Science. CALS Credits include all courses with the following subjects: AGSCI, AIISP, ALS, AEM, ANSC, BEE, BIOG, BIOAP, BIOCB, BIOEE, BIOMG, BIOMI, BIOMS, BIONB, BIOSM, BSOC, BTRY, COMM, DSOC, EAS, EDUC, ENTOM, ENVS, FDSC, GDEV, IARD, INFO, LA, LEAD, NS, NTRES, PLBIO, PLBRG, PLHRT, PLPPM, PLSCI, PLSCS , STSCI, VIEN.
- Minimum Letter-Graded Credits: One hundred (100) credits. Proration of letter-graded credits may be applicable to students that transfer non-Cornell credits (see Proration Chart for non-Cornell credit).
- Maximum Credits earned through Special Studies (Independent Study, Research, Teaching Assistantships, and/or Internships): Fifteen (15) credits of “unstructured” coursework can be applied towards graduation requirements. Proration of structured credits may be applicable to students that transfer non-Cornell credits (see Proration Chart for non-Cornell credit).
- Residency: Eight (8) semesters of full-time study are expected. External transfer students are credited with one (1) semester of residence for each full-time semester (or equivalent) completed at another accredited institution prior to matriculating at Cornell.
- GPA: Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better to graduate. The cumulative GPA includes all letter grades earned at Cornell.
- Physical and Life Sciences: Eighteen (18) credits, of which six (6) credits must be Introductory Life Sciences/Biology and three (3) credits must be Chemistry or Physics.
- Quantitative Literacy: Faculty legislation requires minimum competency in quantitative literacy. This requirement can be satisfied by taking an approved calculus or statistics class.
- Social Science and Humanities: Students must complete four (4) courses within the seven (7) categories of Humanities and Social Sciences. The courses MUST span at least three (3) different categories. Human Diversity (D) is a required category. Humanities courses must be a minimum of three (3) credits.
- Written and Oral Expression: Nine (9) credits total, of which at least six (6) must be in Written Expression. Oral Expression is not required by the college but may be required for some majors. If Oral Expression is not required by the major, all nine credits may be in Written Expression.
- Major: See individual department listings for major requirements.
- Application to Graduate: See Graduation Resources.
Distribution Requirements
The purpose of the distribution requirement is to have all students achieve common learning outcomes. It is expected that through college and major course requirements graduates will be able to:
- Explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret factual claims, theories, and assumptions in the student’s discipline(s) (especially in one or more of the college’s priority areas of Food & Energy Systems, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sciences) and more broadly in the sciences and humanities.
- Find, access, critically evaluate, and ethically use information.
- Integrate quantitative and qualitative information to reach defensible and creative conclusions.
- Communicate effectively through writing, speech, and visual information.
- Articulate the views of people with diverse perspectives.
- Demonstrate the capability to work both independently and in cooperation with others.
Through the study of Physical and Life Sciences, students develop their understanding and appreciation of the physical sciences, enhance their quantitative reasoning skills, and gain an appreciation of the variability of living organisms. Social Sciences and Humanities gives students perspective on the structure and values of the society in which we live and prepares them to make decisions on ethical issues that will affect their work and role in society. Written and Oral Expression is designed to help students become competent and confident in the use of oral and written communication to express themselves and their ideas.
Important Notes:
- Credits received for independent study, fieldwork, teaching, research, work experience, and internships cannot be used to fulfill the distribution requirements
- Review or supplemental courses, such as 1000- to 1099-level courses, will not be counted in the distribution areas.
- First-Year Writing Seminars (FWS) cannot be used to satisfy the Physical and Life Sciences distribution area.
- Courses that fulfill distributions are approved by the CALS Curriculum Committee. Distributions cannot be applied to a course retroactively, and individual student petitions for Cornell courses to fulfill distributions will not be accepted. Students may request a review of external transfer courses for fulfilling distribution requirements.
Physical and Life Sciences:
Eighteen (18) credits, of which six (6) credits must be Introductory Life Sciences/Biology and three (3) credits in Chemistry or Physics. Courses that count for Introductory Life Sciences/ Biology, Chemistry/Physics, Quantitative Literacy, and Other Physical and Life Sciences count towards the eighteen (18) credits for this requirement
Introductory Life Sciences/Biology Requirement (BIO-AG):
Students must complete at least six (6) academic credits of Introductory Life Sciences/Biology. Courses that count towards this requirement have the BIO-AG distribution attribute. Note: CALS does NOT accept BIO-AS for BIO-AG.
Offerings in the area provide a foundation in the field of biology. Courses must include: an evolutionary component, instruction on applying the process of science and a significant student-centered teaching component.
Chemistry/Physics (CHPH-AG):
Students must complete a minimum of three (3) credits of Chemistry or Physics. Includes all Cornell courses with the CHEM or PHYS prefix (excluding courses that are supplemental, independent study, research, TA, internship, and First-Year Writing Seminar). Courses that count towards this requirement have a CHPH-AG distribution attribute. Additionally, courses with the prefix CHEM or PHYS of at least 11xx numbering and a minimum of three (3) credits are accepted as fulfilling CHPH-AG.
Courses that meet the CALS Chemistry or Physics (CHPH) requirement provide students with a foundational understanding of key scientific principles. These courses delve into the study of chemistry (focusing on the composition, properties, and transformations of substances) or physics (exploring the principles of matter, energy, and their interactions). Fulfilling this requirement equips students with essential scientific knowledge that supports practical and innovative applications in fields like agriculture, environmental science, and food science, thereby fostering their ability to address and solve critical challenges within these domains.
Quantitative Literacy (MQL-AG):
Students must complete one (1) Quantitative Literacy course. Courses that count towards these requirements have an MQL-AG distribution attribute. Additionally, courses of at least 11xx numbering with the MATH prefix may fulfill this category. Calculus courses and Introductory Statistics courses may also fulfill MQL-AG.
Faculty legislation requires minimum competency in quantitative literacy. Courses that fulfill the Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy distribution in CALS enhance students’ problem-solving skills by teaching them to understand abstract, logical relationships. These classes focus on the mathematical analysis of data, modeling natural and man-made systems, and developing algorithms critical for computation. Students will learn various quantitative methods and how to apply quantitative reasoning across different fields.
This requirement can also be satisfied by earning a score of four (4) or five (5) on the AP Calculus exam or a score of five (5) on the AP Statistics exam, or transfer of an approved calculus or statistics course with a minimum letter grade of “C” or better.
Other Physical Life Sciences (OPHLS-AG):
Other Physical Life Sciences courses count towards the eighteen (18) credit total for the Physical and Life Sciences requirement. Courses that count towards this requirement have the OPHLS-AG distribution attribute. The number of OPHLS-AG courses taken will vary by student. Courses with the following distributions are also accepted for the CALS OPHLS-AG distribution: PBS-HE, BIO-AS, PHS,AS, SDS-AS. Additionally, any course with BIO-AG, CHPH-AG or MQL-AG may alternatively fulfill OPHLS-AG.
Offerings in this area explore additional physical and life science subjects as well as quantitative literacy (math) courses. Courses satisfying this requirement help students understand and appreciate the physical sciences, enhance quantitative reasoning skills, or explore the variability of living organisms.
Social Sciences and Humanities:
Students must complete four (4) courses within the seven (7) categories of Humanities and Social Sciences. The courses MUST span at least three (3) different categories. Human Diversity (D) is a required category. Humanities courses must be a minimum of three (3) credits.
No more than two (2) courses in the same department will be counted toward the distribution requirement. Social Sciences & Humanities Categories:
(Also refer to Distribution Requirement Codes)
Cultural Analysis (CA-AG)
These courses study human life in particular cultural contexts through interpretive analysis of individual behavior, discourse, and social practice. Topics include belief systems (science, medicine, religion), expressive arts and symbolic behavior (visual arts, performance, poetry, myth, narrative, ritual), identity (nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality), social groups and institutions (family, market, community), and power and politics (states, colonialism, inequality).
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling CA-AG: ALC-AS, ALC-HA, ALC-AAP, CA-HE, CA-AAP, GLC-AS
Foreign Language (FL-AG)
Foreign Language courses available for CALS students at Cornell are offered by several departments, including Africana Studies and Research Center (AS&RC – language courses only), Asian Studies with languages such as Bangla-Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Sanskrit, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese, and Classics (CLASS – language courses only). Additional offerings are provided by German Studies, which includes German, Dutch, and Swedish (language courses only), Linguistics (LING – language courses only), Near Eastern Studies (NES - language courses only), Romance Studies with languages like Catalan, French, Italian, Portuguese, Quechua, and Spanish, and Russian Studies, covering Russian, Hungarian, Polish, Serbian/Croatian, and Ukrainian. CALS will recognize these Foreign Language (FL) classifications by any college at Cornell, provided the class is taken for three (3) or more credits. Transfer students may have non-Cornell courses that meet SUNY World Languages requirements and are a minimum of three (3) credits reviewed as fulfilling FL-AG.
Human Diversity (D-AG)
These courses analyze historical or contemporary marginalized communities and the culturally specific contexts that produce unequal power relations in terms of race, nationality, ethnicity, indigeneity, sexuality, disability, religion, gender, or economic status.
Definition of “marginalize”: Any groups with reduced access to social status, political influence, economic advancement, educational advancement, healthcare, information, or any of the goods, services, and powers of a society can be considered “marginalized.” Causes of marginalization may be related to ethnic status, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, geography, economics, and government policies. Those who exist on the furthest margins of a society are frequently subject to several of these forces.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling D-AG: SCD-AS, SCD-HA, D-HE.
Non-equated external transfer courses will only be considered for junior transfer students who have taken an appropriate course at their prior institution and whose schedule does not allow space to take a Human Diversity (D-AG) course at Cornell. These situations will be reviewed individually after a required appointment with CALS Student Services.
Historical Analysis (HA-AG)
These courses interpret continuities and changes—political, social, economic, diplomatic, religious, intellectual, artistic, scientific—through time. The focus may be on groups of people, dominant or subordinate, a specific country or region, an event, a process, or a time period.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling HA-AG: HA-AAP, HST-AAP, HST-AS, HST-HA, HA-HE
Knowledge, Cognition, and Moral Reasoning (KCM-AG)
These courses investigate the bases of human knowledge in its broadest sense, ranging from cognitive faculties shared by humans and animals such as perception, to abstract reasoning, to the ability to form and justify moral judgments. Courses investigating the sources, structure, and limits of cognition may use the methodologies of science, cognitive psychology, linguistics, or philosophy. Courses focusing on moral reasoning explore ways of reflecting on ethical questions that concern the nature of justice, the good life, or human values in general.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling KCM-AG: ETM-AAP, ETM-AS, ETM-HA, KCM-AAP, KCM-HE
Literature and the Arts (LA-AG)
These courses explore literature and the arts in two different but related ways. Some courses focus on the critical study of artworks and on their history, aesthetics, and theory. These courses develop skills of reading, observing, and hearing and encourage reflection on such experiences; many investigate the interplay among individual achievement, artistic tradition, and historical context. Other courses are devoted to the production and performance of artworks (in creative writing, performing arts, and media such as film and video). These courses emphasize the interaction among technical mastery, cognitive knowledge, and creative imagination.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling LA-AG, ALC-AS, ALC-HA, ALC-AAP, LA-AAP
Social and Behavioral Analysis (SBA-AG)
These courses examine human life in its social context through the use of social scientific methods, often including hypothesis testing, scientific sampling techniques, and statistical analysis. Topics studied range from the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals to interpersonal relations between individuals (e.g., in friendship, love, conflict) to larger social organizations (e.g., the family, society, religious or educational or civic institutions, the economy, government) to the relationships and conflicts among groups or individuals (e.g., discrimination, inequality, prejudice, stigmas, conflict resolution).
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling SBA-AG: SSC-AS, SBA-HE, SBA-AAP, SSC-AAP
Written and Oral Expression:
Nine (9) credits total, of which at least six (6) must be in Written Expression. Oral Expression is not required by the college but may be required for some majors. If Oral Expression is not required by the major, all nine (9) credits may be in Written Expression. Writing in the Majors (WIM) courses do not count towards Written Expression.
Written Expression (WRT-AG)
All students are required to take at least six (6) credits of Written Expression and may take nine (9) credits to fulfill the Written and Oral Expression requirement. Courses that fulfill the Written Expression requirement in CALS focus on enhancing students’ writing skills. Courses meeting this requirement devote at least 50% of class time to writing proficiency, involve at least five (5) writing assignments with detailed feedback, and emphasize revision and development. These courses ensure personalized attention and help students articulate ideas clearly, argue effectively, and engage with evidence critically. This structure supports students in improving both their writing mechanics and their ability to communicate persuasively across contexts.
CALS also accepts FWS courses as fulfilling WRT-AG. Transfer students may have courses that meet the SUNY Writing Requirement considered to fulfill this requirement.
Oral Expression (ORL-AG)
Students may take one (1) Oral Expression course towards the nine (9) required credits for Written and Oral Expression. Courses that fulfill the CALS Oral Expression requirement enhance students’ public speaking and communication skills. Courses meeting this requirement center on improving oral proficiency, dedicating over 50% of class time to the principles of effective communication. Each course involves at least five (5) formal oral presentations, with four (4) undergoing detailed revisions based on structured feedback that focuses on speech organization, clarity, evidence use, and delivery. These courses offer personalized guidance and encourage students to apply feedback to subsequent presentations. The aim is to refine students’ abilities to articulate ideas persuasively and adapt messages for different contexts, ensuring they can communicate effectively on any topic.
CALS 2025+ Degree Requirements (applies to first-year students who start Fall 2025 or after)
The 2025+ CALS Curriculum applies to first-year students who enter CALS starting Fall 2025 and all semesters after. Transfer students entering Fall 2025 and all continuing students will follow the Prior to Fall 2025 Requirements. There are no exceptions to this policy.
All students are required to complete:
- University Graduation Requirements
- Credit Requirements
- 120 Credits are required to graduate, of the 120:
- A minimum seventy-five (75) must be CALS Credits (fifty-five (55) for transfer students).
- A minimum of 105 must be structured academic credits (transfer courses can count towards this requirement).
- A minimum of one hundred (100) letter-graded academic credits (transfer courses can count towards this requirement).
- The following courses do not count towards the 120: PE course, courses numbered 1000-1099, forbidden overlap courses, and repeated courses (that do not allow repeats).
- Residency Requirement
- GPA Requirement
- Distribution Requirements
- E3 Learning Milestone
- Major Requirements: See individual department listings for major requirements.
- Application to Graduate: Information can be found on graduation webpage.
75 CALS Credits
Students are required to take seventy-five (75) CALS Credits. The following counts as CALS Credit:
- Any course with the following prefixes: AGSCI, AIIS, ALS, ANSC, BEE, BIOG, BIOAP, BIOCB, BIOEE, BIOMG, BIOMI, BIOMS, BIONB, BIOSM, BSOC, BTRY, COMM, EAS, EDUC, ENTOM, ENVS, FDSC, GDEV, INFO, LA, LEAD, NS, NTRES, PLSCI, STSCI, VIEN
- Courses with the FWS attribute (two (2) courses maximum)
- For BSBU students only: prefix AEM
- AEM courses will not count towards the required seventy-five (75) CALS Credits, except for students who have officially been accepted to the AEM major. CALS students who choose to complete an AEM minor cannot count AEM courses towards their seventy-five (75) required CALS courses.
Students with matriculation status of Transfer will have a requirement of fifty-five (55) CALS Credits.
Distribution Requirements
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) college distribution requirements are the cornerstone of a diverse and comprehensive education.
These requirements encourage our students to venture beyond familiar subjects, develop a deeper understanding of others, uncover insights that can spark new interests, and pave the way toward meaningful careers that can shape a just and sustainable future.
The CALS distribution requirements consist of:
- A minimum of thirty-nine (39) credit hours of coursework.
- A single course may not fulfill more than one college distribution requirement. However, a single course can simultaneously fulfill college and major requirements.
- Students in CALS have the option to take some of these courses either for a grade or using S/U grading. However, letter grades may be required for some majors.
- Non-academic credit courses (numbered 1000-1099 and PE) do not fulfill distribution requirements. Special Topics Courses (numbered 4940) do not fulfill distribution requirements.
- Courses that fulfill distributions are approved by the CALS Curriculum Committee. Distributions cannot be applied to a course retroactively, and individual student petitions for Cornell courses to fulfill distributions will not be accepted. Students may request a review of external transfer courses for fulfilling distribution requirements.
Students must complete all of the following:
Agriculture, Food Systems & Human Nutrition (AFS-AG)
- Take one (1) Agriculture, Food Systems & Human Nutrition (AFS-AG) course.
The Agriculture, Food Systems & Human Nutrition distribution requirement at CALS emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the food system, including production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste, with a focus on the integration of these multiple components. Students must learn to describe, analyze, and understand the interdependent nature and the environmental and nutritional impacts of the food system. To fulfill the requirement, a course must cover at least two components of the food system, analyze their interactions, and dedicate at least half of its content to this holistic view, potentially including topics like agricultural history, food sustainability, and nutrition access.
Biological Sciences (BSC-AG)
-
Take one (1) Biological Sciences (BSC-AG) course. Note: the following are NOT accepted as fulfilling BSC-AG: BIO-AG, BIO-AS.
Courses that meet the Biological Sciences requirement for CALS dedicate most of their content (at least 75%) to exploring one or more of the following biological concepts: evolution, structure and function, the flow, exchange and storage of information, pathways and transformations of energy and matter, or living systems. These courses include an evolutionary component, teach students how to apply scientific methods, and include at least one of the following competencies: quantitative reasoning, modeling and simulation, interdisciplinary thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and communication, or science and society relational understanding. Courses also emphasize student-centered learning activities such as labs, problem solving, case studies, research projects, or collaborative projects. Some courses within this distribution are identified as suitable for non-life sciences majors— these courses have no prerequisites and require only high school-level science knowledge.
Physical Sciences (PSC-AG)
- Take one (1) Physical Sciences (PSC-AG) course.
CALS Physical Sciences courses cover at least 75% of their content in fields such as chemistry, physics, earth science, atmospheric science, or astronomy, connecting theoretical knowledge to practical applications. Courses also emphasize student-centered learning activities such as labs, problem solving, case studies, research projects, or collaborative projects. Some courses within this distribution are identified as suitable for non-sciences majors - these courses have no prerequisites and require only high school-level science knowledge.
Sustainability Challenges (SCH-AG)
- Take one (1) Sustainability Challenges (SCH-AG) course.
Courses that satisfy the sustainability distribution requirement in CALS must allocate at least 30% of content or learning outcomes to examining the intricate interplay between economic, socio-political, and environmental aspects of sustainability issues or their solutions or to exploring the connections among three or more UN Sustainable Development Goals in relation to the main class topic. Additionally, the course must incorporate a learning outcome focused on one of three key proficiencies: systems thinking, decision-making amidst uncertainty, or understanding the factors that constrain sustainability, thereby ensuring students gain a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability challenges.
Data Literacy (DLG-AG and DLS-AG)
Two required courses:
- Take one (1) course with attribute Data Literacy Statistics (DLS-AG).
- Take one (1) course with attribute Data Literacy General (DLG-AG) OR one (1) course with attribute Data Literacy Statistics (DLS-AG).
CALS courses fulfilling the Data Literacy General (DLG-AG) requirement are designed to teach students how to interpret and articulate insights from both quantitative and qualitative data, with an emphasis on various competencies such as data analysis, acquisition methods, curation, and security. Students will be expected to understand the types of data, their applications, and the ethical implications of data misuse upon completion of these courses. The courses must dedicate a significant portion of content to at least three (3) specific data literacy competencies and include at least one of these competencies as a main learning outcome.
Courses that fulfill Data Literacy Statistics (DLS-AG) additionally provide explicit instruction on mathematical approaches to collection, description, analysis, and inference of conclusions from quantitative data. Course content focuses on the Data Manipulating & Analysis competency: Ability to draw conclusions from data with quantitative and/or qualitative methods, which may include statistical or computational methods and may include tools like R, Python, Stata, Tableau, Unix, NVivo, QGIS, Excel, SPSS, etc.
Ethics (ETH-AG)
- Take one (1) course with attribute Ethics (ETH-AG). Note the following are NOT accepted as fulfilling ETH-AG: KCM-AG, ETM-AAP, ETM-AS, ETM-HA, KCM-AAP, KCM-HE.
Courses that fulfill the CALS Ethics requirement are designed to immerse students in the study of ethical principles impacting various facets of life, including personal, social, and global spheres, as well as in research and professional practices. These courses aim for students to critically engage with their values, understand diverse ethical perspectives, and articulate reasoned ethical positions. To satisfy the Ethics requirement, a course must devote over half of its content to ethical issues relevant to its main topic, incorporate historical or modern ethical debates, foster personal ethical reflection, and include specific learning outcomes focused on ethics.
Human Diversity (D-AG)
- Take one (1) course with attribute Human Diversity (D-AG).
CALS Human Diversity courses foster a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding historically or contemporarily marginalized communities, emphasizing the critical analysis of unequal power dynamics shaped by factors such as race, nationality, ethnicity, indigeneity, sexuality, disability, religion, gender, or economic status. To meet this requirement, a course must allocate at least 50% of its content to examining these issues, be a minimum of three (3) credits, and achieve specific learning outcomes. These outcomes include demonstrating knowledge of diverse cultural practices, understanding systemic oppression, and assessing personal cultural perspectives to identify potential biases.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling D-AG: SCD-AS, SCD-HA, D-HE.
Non-equated external transfer courses will only be considered for junior transfer students who have taken an appropriate course at their prior institution and whose schedule does not allow space to take a Human Diversity (D-AG) course at Cornell. These situations will be reviewed individually after a required appointment with CALS Student Services.
Cultural, Social & Historical Understanding
Take two (2) courses of the below distributions, with a maximum of one (1) course in each category: CA-AG, FL-AG, HA-AG, LA-AG, SBA-AG.
Cultural Analysis (CA-AG)
These courses study human life in particular cultural contexts through interpretive analysis of individual behavior, discourse, and social practice. Topics include belief systems (science, medicine, religion), expressive arts and symbolic behavior (visual arts, performance, poetry, myth, narrative, ritual), identity (nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality), social groups and institutions (family, market, community), and power and politics (states, colonialism, inequality).
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling CA-AG: ALC-AS, ALC-HA, ALC-AAP, CA-HE, CA-AAP, GLC-AS.
Foreign Language (FL-AG)
Foreign Language - Foreign Language courses available for CALS students at Cornell are offered by several departments, including Africana Studies and Research Center (AS&RC – language courses only), Asian Studies with languages such as Bangla-Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Sanskrit, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese, and Classics (CLASS – language courses only). Additional offerings are provided by German Studies, which includes German, Dutch, and Swedish (language courses only), Linguistics (LING – language courses only), Near Eastern Studies (NES - language courses only), Romance Studies with languages like Catalan, French, Italian, Portuguese, Quechua, and Spanish, and Russian Studies, covering Russian, Hungarian, Polish, Serbian/Croatian, and Ukrainian. CALS will recognize these Foreign Language (FL) classifications by any college at Cornell, provided the class is taken for three (3) or more credits. Transfer students may have non-Cornell courses that meet SUNY World Languages and are a minimum of three (3) credits reviewed as fulfilling FL-AG.
Historical Analysis (HA-AG)
These courses interpret continuities and changes - political, social, economic, diplomatic, religious, intellectual, artistic, scientific - through time. The focus may be on groups of people, dominant or subordinate, a specific country or region, an event, a process, or a time period.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling HA-AG: HA-AAP, HST-AAP, HST-AS, HST-HA, HA-HE.
Literature and the Arts (LA-AG)
These courses explore literature and the arts in two different but related ways. Some courses focus on the critical study of artworks and on their history, aesthetics, and theory. These courses develop skills of reading, observing, and hearing and encourage reflection on such experiences; many investigate the interplay among individual achievement, artistic tradition, and historical context. Other courses are devoted to the production and performance of artworks (in creative writing, performing arts, and media such as film and video). These courses emphasize the interaction among technical mastery, cognitive knowledge, and creative imagination.
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling LA-AG: ALC-AS, ALC-HA, ALC-AAP, LA-AAP.
Social and Behavioral Analysis (SBA-AG)
These courses examine human life in its social context through the use of social scientific methods, often including hypothesis testing, scientific sampling techniques, and statistical analysis. Topics studied range from the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals to interpersonal relations between individuals (e.g., in friendship, love, conflict) to larger social organizations (e.g., the family, society, religious or educational or civic institutions, the economy, government) to the relationships and conflicts among groups or individuals (e.g., discrimination, inequality, prejudice, stigmas, conflict resolution).
CALS also accepts courses of at least three (3) credits with the following distributions as fulfilling SBA-AG: SSC-AS, SBA-HE, SBA-AAP, SSC-AAP.
Written and Oral Expression
Nine (9) credits total, of which at least six (6) must be in Written Expression. Oral Expression is not required by the college but may be required for some majors. If Oral Expression is not required by the major, all nine (9) credits may be in Written Expression. Writing in the Majors (WIM) courses do not count towards Written Expression.
Written Expression (WRT-AG)
All students are required to take at least six (6) credits of Written Expression and may take nine (9) credits to fulfill the Written and Oral Expression requirement. Courses that fulfill the Written Expression requirement in CALS focus on enhancing students’ writing skills. Courses meeting this requirement devote at least 50% of class time to writing proficiency, involve at least five (5) writing assignments with detailed feedback, and emphasize revision and development. These courses ensure personalized attention and help students articulate ideas clearly, argue effectively, and engage with evidence critically. This structure supports students in improving both their writing mechanics and their ability to communicate persuasively across contexts.
CALS also accepts FWS courses as fulfilling WRT-AG. Transfer students may have courses that meet the SUNY Writing Requirement considered to fulfill this requirement.
Oral Expression (ORL-AG)
Students may take one (1) Oral Expression course towards the nine (9) required credits for Written and Oral Expression. Courses that fulfill the CALS Oral Expression requirement enhance students’ public speaking and communication skills. Courses meeting this requirement center on improving oral proficiency, dedicating over 50% of class time to the principles of effective communication. Each course involves at least five (5) formal oral presentations, with four (4) undergoing detailed revisions based on structured feedback that focuses on speech organization, clarity, evidence use, and delivery. These courses offer personalized guidance and encourage students to apply feedback to subsequent presentations. The aim is to refine students’ abilities to articulate ideas persuasively and adapt messages for different contexts, ensuring they can communicate effectively on any topic.
Engaged, Experiential, Entrepreneurial (E3) Learning Milestone
The E3 Learning Milestone allows students to blend experiential learning with academics, apply theory to practice, and deepen their community and professional engagement. This milestone emphasizes learning through experience, engagement, and/or entrepreneurship, encouraging students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings in collaboration with diverse groups and community partners. By completing an E3-designated course or experience, students are able to link their classroom learning with practical application, understand how their experiences align with their academic goals at Cornell, and recognize their contributions to a broader community. Eligible E3 experiences include community-engaged courses, undergraduate research, internships, study-abroad programs, and more–each designed to foster these outcomes and enhance the student's role in their field and community.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of a course or experience that fulfills the E3 Learning Milestone requirement, students should be able to:
- Make connections between their disciplinary and scholarly learning and the practice or application of that knowledge.
- Explain how their course/experience contributes to and is informed by their learning goals at Cornell (i.e. in their major or course of study, as they define it).
- Explain how they engaged with and contributed to, or served, a community or cause greater than themselves.
The E3 Learning Milestone can be fulfilled by courses or non-course-based experiences. Courses cannot apply to another distribution requirement if used for E3.
The following courses are accepted as fulfilling E3:
- Any course with CU-CEL attribute.
- Any course with EEE-AG distribution.
- CALS E3 Research and Teaching courses with EEE-AG. With advisor approval some Independent Study (4970) and Internship academic components (4960) may fulfill this requirement.
Courses and experiences that fulfill the E3 Learning Milestone must meet the following requirements:
- Involve practice and application of knowledge in a real context.
- Provide learning outcomes at the outset of the course or experience, including but not limited to the learning outcomes articulated above.
- Include an assignment or activity that promotes student reflection on their experience.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop effective communication skills.
- Attain interdisciplinary analytical and functional competency in basic business and economic skills.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of leadership principles and ability to integrate holistically to complex and ambiguous settings.
- Demonstrate ability to solve practical business and economics problems and make and impact in real world and society.