Chemistry (BA)

College of Arts and Sciences

Program Website

Program Description

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a comprehensive range of courses in physical, organic, inorganic, analytical chemistry, and chemical biology, enabling students to explore the world of chemistry and its related fields, while preparing them for a wide range of careers and professions.  Courses numbered below 5000 are primarily designated for undergraduates, while those above 5000 are mainly intended for graduate students. Advanced chemistry majors are encouraged to explore graduate courses in an area of interest. Our faculty, in addition to teaching, lead active research programs that welcome involvement from undergraduate researchers. The link between teaching and research is a vital one in a continually evolving scientific subject; it ensures that students will be provided with the most advanced information and perspectives and affords opportunities for students to participate in research. There are several options for earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry, with the two most popular pathways shown below. Students who earn a sufficiently high score on the AP (Advanced Placement & Advanced Standing) chemistry exam may take CHEM 2150 and begin on the accelerated honors track. For additional information about the department and course offerings, see the department website.

Standard Track

  • first year: general chemistry, mathematics
  • second year: organic chemistry lecture(s) and laboratory, physics
  • third year: physical chemistry lecture(s) and laboratory, one other advanced laboratory
  • fourth year: inorganic chemistry, elective(s)

Accelerated Track

  • first year: honors general chemistry, honors organic chemistry I, mathematics
  • second year: honors organic chemistry II and laboratories, honors math elective, inorganic chemistry, physics
  • third year: honors physical chemistry lectures and laboratory, analytical chemistry laboratory
  • fourth year: advanced courses, elective(s)

Note: In addition to the major requirements outlined below, all students must meet the college graduation requirements.

Admission to the Major

Admission to the chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses which, when taken together, demonstrate an interest in the different subfields of chemistry and an interest in completing the major. Students usually apply to the major in their sophomore year, at which time they should have completed the following courses.

It is expected that students will have earned a C or better in these courses. Students with a grade of C– or lower in one of these required courses may be considered for admission to the major after the successful completion of additional coursework requested by the department. Students who are in their second term of sophomore year or later and have completed all but one of the major requirements may also be admitted, as long as they have a plan for completing the remaining requirements on schedule. To apply to the major, please visit the website at: chemistry.cornell.edu/undergraduate.

Honors in Chemistry

The Honors criteria described here will start for all graduates in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Students who complete the Chemistry honors curriculum with a chemistry GPA* of 3.3 or higher at the time of degree conferral, and who submit a research proposal or thesis in the CHEM 4980 Honors Seminar Honors Capstone, will be eligible for honors recognition

Students in their junior or senior year who are on track to complete the honors curriculum and have shown exceptional performance in at least four credits (or the equivalent) of undergraduate research in chemistry or a related field, or who demonstrate interest in developing a unique research proposal, may be nominated to participate in the Honors Capstone by a research advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). Students should consult with their advisor or the DUS early in the fall semester of junior or senior year, before spring enrollment begins. Admission to the Honors Capstone is at the sole discretion of the capstone instructor and/or the DUS. Students participating in the Honors Capstone attend lectures on a variety of topics not covered in conventional courses and present their findings in a written thesis or proposal, which is delivered as an oral presentation at the end of the semester. Successful completion of all honors criteria leads to the designation “Honors in Chemistry.”

*

The chemistry GPA is different from the cumulative GPA. The chemistry GPA will factor in all chemistry (CHEM) courses at the 2000 level or above that are taken for a letter grade at Cornell University. The Chemistry GPA will not include Math or Physics requirements, non-chemistry electives, AP/IB credit scores, or transfer credit from other institutions.