Cornell University Registrar

Program Description

Quantitative reasoning, predictive modeling, and data-driven discovery are central to modern inquiry in the biological, physical, and social sciences. Many of today’s most important questions involve complex systems, large and high-dimensional data sets, and substantial uncertainty. These challenges require methods from statistics, data science, computation, and artificial intelligence. Advances in computing now enable more sophisticated approaches to analysis, modeling, and interpretation across many scientific and applied domains.

Statistics & Biometry, offered by the Department of Statistics and Data Science, focuses on applying statistical, mathematical, and computational methods to problems in the sciences, business, and related fields. The major emphasizes the quantitative foundations of scientific and data-driven inquiry, including study design, measurement, data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, and inference under uncertainty. Students with strong preparation in mathematics and an interest in quantitative applications will find the major rewarding.

Graduates are prepared for a broad range of opportunities in research, teaching, consulting, computing, and data analysis across academia, government, industry, health, technology, and business.

Academic Standards

• All major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
• A grade of C- or better must be earned to meet major requirements.
• Core requirements minimum is 40 credits.
• Elective requirements minimum is 15 credits.

Adding the Statistics & Biometry Major

First-year and sophomore students adding Statistics & Biometry as a major (to change majors or add a double major) must have credit in Calculus I, Calculus II and Statistical Methods I.

Juniors and seniors adding Statistics & Biometry as a major (to change majors or add a double major) must have credit in Calculus I, Calculus II, Statistical Methods I, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Statistical Methods II.

All courses must be taken for a letter grade and students must earn a grade of C- or above.

Academic Standing

Courses required for the major must be taken for letter grades. To remain in good standing in the major, a student must have:

• A GPA of at least 2.30 in all courses required for the major, including advanced electives. 
• Grades of C- or better in every required course. If a student receives a lower grade in a required course, the course can be retaken until a C- or better is earned, or the requirement can be satisfied by another course.

Transfer and Study Abroad Courses

Students may petition the Director of Undergraduate Studies to count transfer courses, study abroad courses and/or other relevant Cornell coursework towards core or elective requirements. Credits must be approved by the Department of Statistics and Data Science and CALS before courses can be applied towards the major.

Honors Program

Beginning with the December 2026 degree conferral date, Statistics & Biometry students can earn “Honors in Statistics and Data Science” by meeting the following requirements:

1. A cumulative GPA >= 3.50 
2. Enrollment in STSCI 4990 for 3 or more credits. Through this course the student will complete Independent Research with a Statistics and Data Science faculty member, with grades of A- or better. 

At least one STSCI course (at least 3 credit hours) at or above the 4000 level with a grade of A- or better; no seminar or 2-credit project courses.

Program Information 

• Instruction Mode: In Person
• Location: Ithaca, NY
• Minimum Credits for Degree: 120

Program Requirements

Statistical Theory (11 Courses)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Calculus I
MATH 1110	Calculus I 1	4
Calculus II 2
MATH 1120	Calculus II	4
or MATH 1910	Calculus for Engineers
Statistical Methods I
Select one of the following:		4
STSCI 2200	Statistics I
Equivalent courses 3
Linear Algebra
Select one of the following:		4-5
MATH 2210	Linear Algebra
MATH 2240	Theoretical Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus II
MATH 2310	Linear Algebra for Data Science
MATH 2940	Linear Algebra for Engineers
Multivariable Calculus
Select one of the following:		4-5
MATH 2220	Multivariable Calculus
MATH 2240	Theoretical Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus II
MATH 1920	Multivariable Calculus for Engineers 4
Statistical Methods II
STSCI 3200	Statistics II	4
Probability
Select one of the following:		4
STSCI 3080	Probability Models and Inference
ECON 3130	Probability and Statistics
MATH 4710	Basic Probability
ORIE 3500	Eng Probability and Statistics: Modeling and Data Science II
Linear Models
STSCI 4030	Linear Models with Matrices	4
or ECON 3140	Econometrics
Theory of Statistics
STSCI 4090	Theory of Statistics	4
or MATH 4720	Theory of Statistics
Statistical Computing
STSCI 4520	Statistical Computing	4
Introduction to Computing 5
CS 1110	Introduction to Computing: A Design and Development Perspective	4
or CS 1112	Introduction to Computing: An Engineering and Science Perspective

Elective Courses (5 Courses)

Students must complete five (5) elective courses with significant statistical content. Each course must be worth at least 3 credits. A list of pre-approved elective courses is provided below. Any course not on the list must be approved by the major advisor.

At least three (3) of the five (5) electives must be STSCI courses, or cross-listed with STSCI courses.STSCI 4980, STSCI 4990 and STSCI 4970 are recommended, but cannot be used for major requirements.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Any 4000 level STSCI course. 6
STSCI 3740	Data Mining and Machine Learning	4
STSCI 3900	Causal Inference	3
STSCI 3090	Financial Math for Actuarial Science	4
STSCI 3100	Statistical Sampling	4
BIOCB 4830	Quantitative Genomics and Genetics	4
BIOCB 4840	Computational Genetics and Genomics	4
MATH 4260	Numerical Analysis: Linear and Nonlinear Problems	4
MATH 4740	Stochastic Processes	4
ECON 4130	Statistical Decision Theory	3
INFO 3300	Visual Data Analytics for the Web	3
INFO 4310	Interactive Information Visualization	3
ORIE 3120	Practical Tools for Operations Research, Machine Learning and Data Science	4
ORIE 3300	Optimization I	4
ORIE 3510	Stochastic Processes for Decision-Making	4
ORIE 4580	Simulation Modeling and Analysis	4
ORIE 3741	Learning with Big Messy Data	4
ORIE 4742	Info Theory, Probabilistic Modeling, and Deep Learning with Scientific and Financial Apps	3
CS 3220		3
CS 4220	Numerical Analysis: Linear and Nonlinear Problems	4
CS 3780	Introduction to Machine Learning	4
CS 4320	Introduction to Database Systems	3
CS 4740	Natural Language Processing	4
CS 4787	Principles of Large-Scale Machine Learning Systems	4
CS 4789	Introduction to Reinforcement Learning	3
Students can take two of the following courses to count as an elective; this can be done multiple times, as long as courses are not repeated.		4
STSCI 3600	Integrated Ethics in Data Science
STSCI 4610	Data Science in Risk Modeling
STSCI 4720	Applied Neural Networks
STSCI 4725	Data Analysis with Tree-Based Methods
STSCI 4850	Data Science Consulting
STSCI 4881	Sports Analytics

Data Science Track

Students who opt to follow the Statistics & Biometry - Data Science Track will replace the multivariable calculus requirement with CS 2110, and use  CS 4320 as one of their non-STSCI electives.

¹

•  Students may have this requirement fulfilled by adequate performance in AP Calculus AB. For Statistics & Biometry  majors, CALS requires a score of 4 or 5 in AP Calculus AB (see Advanced Placement and Non-Cornell (Transfer) Credit).

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled with a passing score (“S”) on the CASE Exam for MATH 1110.

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled if credit is earned for MATH 1110 due to adequate scores on GCE “A” level exams or IB higher-level exams (see Advanced Placement for Calculus).

²

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled by adequate performance in AP Calculus BC. For Statistics & Biometry majors, CALS requires a score of 4 or 5 in AP Calculus BC (see Advanced Placement and Non-Cornell (Transfer) Credit).

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled with a passing score (“S”) on the CASE Exam for MATH 1120.

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled if credit is earned for MATH 1120 due to adequate scores on GCE “A” level exams  (see Advanced Placement for Calculus).

³

• An equivalent course:

  • AEM 2100, ENGRD 2700, HADM 2010, HADM 2011, ILRST 2100, ILRST 6100, MATH 1710, PSYCH 2500, PUBPOL 2100, PUBPOL 2101, SOC 3010, STSCI 2100, STSCI 2150, STSCI 2200.

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled by adequate performance in AP Statistics. For Statistics and Biometry majors, CALS requires a score of 5 in AP Statistics (see Advanced Placement and Non-Cornell (Transfer) Credit).

⁴

Students may have this requirement fulfilled with a passing score (“S”) on the CASE Exam for MATH 1920.

⁵

• Students may have this requirement fulfilled with a passing score (“S”) on the CASE Exam for CS 1110.
• Students may have this requirement fulfilled by a 5 in AP Computer Science A (see Advanced Placement & Advanced Standing).
• Students may have this requirement fulfilled by a score of 6 or 7 on the IB Computer Science exam (see Advanced Placement & Advanced Standing).

⁶

except STSCI 4970 , STSCI 4980, STSCI 4990

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 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. 

CALS Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Science

Students are responsible for tracking their progress toward graduation and ensuring all degree requirements are met. Students must promptly notify the college of any discrepancies or issues with their academic records.

CALS undergraduate students must follow the college distribution requirements corresponding to their matriculation (entry) term and class standing. Students matriculating/entering Cornell before Fall 2025 and junior transfers entering in Fall 2026 will complete the pre-2025 CALS distribution requirements. All other students will be subject to the new CALS 2025+ distribution requirements. 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 curricula, all students must complete the following Graduation Requirements to earn the Bachelor of Science degree:

1. University Graduation Requirements
2. Credit Requirements
3. Distribution Requirements
4. Residency Requirement
5. GPA Requirement
6. Major Requirements

Credit Requirement Policies 

1. Minimum total credits: 120 academic credits are required for graduation. 
   • Important Exceptions:
     • Repeated Cornell courses: If a course does not allow repeat credit, the repeated credits do not count toward the 120 credits required for graduation. They do count toward the 12 credits required for full-time status and good academic standing.
     • Forbidden overlaps: Credits from courses with a forbidden overlap do not count toward graduation credits. They do count toward the 12 credits required for full-time status and good academic standing. More information is available on the Course Enrollment and Credits page.
     • Review or supplemental courses: Courses at the 1000–1099 level do not count toward graduation credits. They also do not count toward the 12 credits required for full-time status or good academic standing.
     • Physical Education (PE) courses: PE courses do not count toward the 120 academic credits required for graduation. They also do not count toward the 12 credits required for full-time status or good academic standing.
2. Minimum Credits Completed at Cornell: Students must complete at least 60 academic credits at Cornell. This includes Education Abroad, Cornell in Rome, Capital Semester, the Brooks School Cornell in Washington, DC, Connect Program, and Shoals Marine Laboratory.
3. Maximum Non-Cornell Credits: Students may apply up to 60 non-Cornell credits toward their degree requirements. This includes AP, CASE, IB, GCE, French Baccalauréat, Cambridge Pre-University, and pre-approved external transfer coursework. Refer to Non-Cornell (Transfer) Credit under Policies and Procedures for additional information. 
   • Students may transfer up to 15 academic credits earned before matriculating as a first-year student at an accredited college or university. These 15 credits include credits earned through programs such as AP, CASE, IB, GCE, and French Baccalauréat.
4. In addition to the 120-credit minimum, all CALS students must meet minimum requirements for CALS credits, structured credits, and letter-graded credits. See the curriculum sections below for details.

Residency Requirements

• Residency Requirement: Students are expected to complete eight (8) semesters of full-time study. External transfer students receive one (1) semester in residence for each full-time semester (or equivalent) completed at another accredited institution before matriculating at Cornell.
• Internal transfer students must complete at least two (2) semesters in residence in CALS.
• The final semester before graduation must be completed as a full-time student in a Cornell program during the fall or spring semester. Summer and winter terms do not satisfy the final-semester residency requirement. The School of Continuing Education (SCE) does not count toward this requirement. 
• Students in their ninth semester (9th) (or equivalent) and final semester may be eligible for prorated tuition. Eligibility criteria are available online.
• The following programs are in residency: Cornell in Rome, Cornell in Washington, D.C. Connect Program (Fall or Spring only), Capital Semester, OGL Approved Education Abroad Programs, and 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 2026)

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:

1. University Graduation Requirements:
   1. Physical Education.
   2. Swim Requirement. 
2. Credit Requirements: Students must complete 120 academic credits for graduation. Of those, at least 55 credits must be taken in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell, and at least 100 credits must be earned for a letter grade. PE and supplemental courses do not count as academic credit.
   • CALS Credits: Students must complete at least 55 CALS credits for graduation.
     • CALS credits include courses offered in CALS and in the following affiliated areas: Applied Economics and Management, Biological Sciences, Biology & Society, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Environment and Sustainability, Information Science, Nutritional Science, and Statistics and Data Science.
     • CALS credits also include courses with these subject codes: 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: Students must complete at least 100 letter-graded credits. This requirement may be prorated for students who transfer non-Cornell credits. (see Proration Chart for non-Cornell credit).
   • Structured Credit Requirement: To graduate, students must complete at least 105 structured credits. After they meet this requirement, they may apply unstructured coursework toward the 120 credits required for graduation. Unstructured coursework includes Special Studies, such as independent study, research, teaching assistantships, and internships. The structured credit requirement may be prorated for students who transfer non-Cornell credits. (see Proration Chart for non-Cornell credit). 
3. Residency: Students are expected to complete eight semesters of full-time study. External transfer students receive one semester of residency credit for each full-time semester (or equivalent) completed at another accredited institution before matriculating at Cornell.
4. GPA: Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to graduate. The cumulative GPA includes all letter grades earned at Cornell.
5. Physical and Life Sciences: Students must complete 18 credits in the physical and life sciences. This must include at least 6 credits in introductory life sciences/biology and at least 3 credits in chemistry or physics.
6. Quantitative Literacy: Students must demonstrate minimum competency in quantitative literacy. This requirement may be satisfied by completing an approved calculus or statistics course.
7. Social Sciences and Humanities: Students must complete 4 courses across the 7 categories of humanities and social sciences. These courses must span at least 3 different categories. Human Diversity (D-AG) is required. Humanities courses must be at least 3 credits.
8. Written and Oral Expression: Students must complete 9 credits total, including at least 6 credits in Written Expression. Oral Expression is not required by the college, but it may be required by some majors. If a student’s major does not require Oral Expression, all 9 credits may be in Written Expression.
9. Major: See the individual department listings for major requirements.

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. BCS-AG does not automatically fulfill 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. PSC-AG does not automatically fulfill 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. DLG-AG and DLS-AG do not automatically 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.  ETH-AG does not automatically fulfill KCM-AG.

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 

The 2025+ CALS Curriculum applies to all students who entered Cornell Fall 2025 and after, with the exception of Junior transfer students entering Fall 2026. There are no exceptions to this policy.

All students are required to complete:

1. University Graduation Requirements
2. Credit Requirements
3. 120 Credits are required to graduate, of the 120:
   • A minimum of seventy-five (75) CALS Credits (fifty-five (55) for external transfer students) must be earned.
   • A minimum of 105 structured academic credits is required (transfer courses and education abroad courses can count toward this requirement).
   • A minimum of one hundred (100) letter-graded academic credits (transfer courses and education abroad 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).
4. Residency Requirement
5. GPA Requirement
6. Distribution Requirements
7. E3 Learning Milestone
8. Major Requirements: See individual department listings for major requirements.

75 CALS Credits

Students are required to take seventy-five (75) CALS Credits. The following counts as CALS Credit for students entering Fall 2026 who are following the CALS 25+ Curriculum:

• Any course with the following prefixes: AGSCI, AIIS, ALS, ANSC, BEE, BIOG, BIOAP, BIOCB, BIOEE, BIOMG, BIOMI, BIOMS, BIONB, BIOSM, COMM, EAS, EDUC, ENTOM, ENVS, FDSC, GDEV, INFO, LA, LEAD, NS, NTRES, PLSCI, STSCI, VIEN*
  • *For students who entered Fall 2025 or earlier, the prefix BSOC counts as CALS credit. The prefix BTRY was previously listed as CALS credit but is no longer an active prefix, effective Fall 2026.
• Courses of any prefix the FWS attribute (two (2) courses maximum) may count as CALS credit
• The AEM prefix 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. 
• Any course that is cross-listed with a course that has CALS prefix noted above will count for CALS credit. For example an AEM course cross with ALS will count as CALS credit.  

Students with matriculation status of Transfer will have a requirement of fifty-five (55) CALS Credits.

Distribution Requirements 

Learning Outcomes