Global Development (BS)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program Description
The Global Development (GDEV) undergraduate major responds to the need for innovative and critical thinking on the concept and practice of development. It prepares students to analyze problems, clarify solutions, develop leadership and foster positive social change. Students receive comprehensive training in the key skills, issues, and debates central to global development. All GDEV students take a breadth of interdisciplinary coursework in development scholarship and practice and gain depth in a concentration of their choice, selecting from social and economic development, agriculture and food systems or environment and development.
As a Global Development major, students are required to spend at least eight weeks in an international or domestic field-based internship. Throughout their field experience, students work with and learn from innovative development and community leaders, crafting cutting-edge strategies to address some of the world's most significant challenges and advance the well-being of people and the planet.
Declaring the Major
Current Cornell students who are interested in transferring to the Global Development major must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum cumulative Cornell GPA of 3.0
- Completion of GDEV 1102 Introduction to Global Development, GDEV 1300 Just Food: Exploring the Modern Food System, and GDEV 1105 Global Development Cornerstone completed before transfer with an average grade of a B+ or better in 1102 and 1300, and a "S" in the Cornerstone (note: the three courses are only offered in the fall semester).
To apply to join the major and be assigned a major advisor, students should contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Lynn Morris (lm747@cornell.edu).
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 120
Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements for the Major, students must also complete the General Requirements for CALS (see Graduation Requirements for Bachelor of Science). All majors must complete the:
- Global Development Core requirements;
- Engaged Learning Requirements, and
- The requirements of the thematic focused electives of their choice.
All Global Development core and focused elective courses must be taken for a letter grade unless they are only offered S/U. To receive credit for GDEV core and focused elective courses, a student must receive a grade of C or higher unless there are extenuating circumstances to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A course may only fulfill one major requirement even if it is an option for multiple requirements. Double majoring is allowed by review of the GDEV major. Please note students that are pursuing the Environment and Development focused elective will not be approved to double major in ENVS and GDEV. Similarly, students that are pursuing the Ag and Food Systems focused elective will not be approved to double major in Ag Science and GDEV.
Global Development Core Requirements
8 courses; 21 credits
These core courses ensure that students can demonstrate a broad introductory knowledge in the major disciplines involved in global development. They enable students to interpret a comprehensive multi-disciplinary set of issues related to socio-economic development, agriculture & food systems, and environmental sustainability in developing countries.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GDEV 1102 | Introduction to Global Development (fall first year) | 3 |
| GDEV 1105 | Global Development Cornerstone (fall first year, 10 weeks) | 1 |
| GDEV 1300 | Just Food: Exploring the Modern Food System (fall first year) | 4 |
| GDEV 2065 | Environment and Development (spring first year) | 3 |
| GDEV 2130 | Introduction to Social Science Research Methods (spring second year) | 3 |
| GDEV 2202 | Ethics of Technology and Development (fall) | 3 |
| or GDEV 2450 | Development Economics: Global Perspectives | |
| GDEV 4961 | Perspectives in Global Development (fall or spring) | 1 |
| Additional Methods Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Mapping Our Worlds: Cartography and Analysis in GIS | ||
| Impact Evaluation for Development | ||
| Environmental Decision Making | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Data and Development | ||
| Demographic Techniques | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Data Science Workshop with R | ||
Any course that matches the pattern GDEV X55X | ||
Engaged Learning Requirements
2 courses, 1 field-based "learning experience": 2 credits
Experiential and engaged learning is a defining feature of the Global Development undergraduate major, reflecting the overall vision of the Department of Global Development as a unit that unites scholarship and practice in pursuit of a better world for all. Thus, all students must complete a minimum 8-week field-based learning experience that develops their skills as a development practitioner. In this field experience, students work with and learn from innovative development practitioners, community leaders, and researchers, crafting cutting-edge strategies to address some of the world's most significant challenges and advance the well-being of people and the planet. Students take a set of pre-and post-engagement courses that help them prepare for and build upon their engaged learning experiences.
- GDEV 2105 Pre-Internship: Community-Engaged Learning Prep (1 credit; spring second year, 7wk2)
- Pre-Departure Portfolio, designed to help students thoughtfully prepare for their specific internship (Completed in the semester before the start of one's internship).
- 8-week field-based engaged learning experience: Students may choose from a range of options for their eight-week experience, CALS Global Fellowships, SIT study abroad programs, and more. Domestic or International.
- GDEV 3105 Post-Internship: Reflection on Engaged Experiences (1 credit; 7wk1 fall following the required internship experience).
Read the full Engaged Learning Requirements and guidelines on how to identify and select your learning experience.
Focused Elective Requirements
To gain more depth in a particular aspect of development, all Global Development majors choose to affiliate with one of three thematic focused elective areas. These are designed to support a range of career paths and graduate school opportunities, the three focused elective options are:
Social & Economic Development
This focused elective area provides students an opportunity to explore global development issues, theories, policies, and practices in greater depth using analytical methods, theories, and approaches of multiple social science disciplines. Students can develop individualized pathways in consultation with their academic advisors.
Required Social & Economic Development Courses
All students must complete the following 2 courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GDEV 2450 | Development Economics: Global Perspectives | 3 |
| GDEV 3010 | Theories of Society and Development | 3 |
Select 5 additional courses (minimum of 15 credits) from the lists below. At least 3 out of the 5 courses must have a GDEV prefix (9 credits) and at least 3 electives should be at the 3000 level or higher. Allow up to 2 approved courses to count from study abroad for electives.
Development Theory
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2000 | Contemporary Controversies in the Global Economy | 3 |
| AEM 2500 | Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| GDEV 2010 | Population and Social Change | 3 |
| GDEV 3150 | Climate Change and Global Development: Living in the Anthropocene | 3 |
| GDEV 3240 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| GDEV 3400 | Agriculture, Food, Sustainability and Social Justice | 3 |
| GDEV 3700 | Comparative Social Inequalities | 3 |
Development Policy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 2300 | International Trade and Finance | 3 |
| AEM 4300 | International Trade Policy | 3 |
| AEM 4350 | Political Economy of the WTO | 3 |
| AEM 4420 | Emerging Markets | 3 |
| GDEV 2300 | Food Systems and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| GDEV/EDUC 2710 | US Education System: Courts, Data, Law and Politics | 3-4 |
| GDEV 3020 | Political Ecologies of Health | 3 |
| GDEV 3030 | FoodCycle: Systems Thinking Toward Circular Economy for Organic Resources | 3 |
| GDEV/PUBPOL 3280 | Fundamentals of Population Health | 3 |
| GDEV 4050 | Invention and IP Management | 3 |
| GDEV 4450 | Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy for Developing Countries | 3 |
| GDEV/CRP 4770 | Seminar on Issues in African Development | 1 |
Development Practice & Methods
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 2155 | Exploring Strategies for Teaching and Learning | 2 |
| EDUC 2200/GDEV 2100 | Introduction to Adult Learning | 4 |
| EDUC/GDEV 2210 | Designing and Facilitating Learning for Development | 4 |
| EDUC/GDEV 2410 | The Art of Teaching | 4 |
| EDUC 3142 | Reflecting on the Intersections of Education and Prison Systems | 2-4 |
| EDUC 4010/GDEV 4011 | Methods in Ag Sci Education: Welding and Metal | 1 |
| EDUC/GDEV 4200 | Adult Language Learners and Marginalization: Applied Teaching Methods for Empowerment | 4 |
| EDUC/GDEV 4223 | Community Learning Ecosystems: Place, SDGs & Hope | 4 |
| GDEV 3030 | FoodCycle: Systems Thinking Toward Circular Economy for Organic Resources | 3 |
| GDEV 3140 | Mapping Our Worlds: Cartography and Analysis in GIS | 4 |
| GDEV 3300 | Impact Evaluation for Development | 3 |
| GDEV 3390 | Modeling People and the Environment | 3 |
| GDEV 3500 & GDEV 3501 | Development in Action: Fall Faculty-Led Study Trip Preparation and Development in Action: Winter Faculty-Led Study Trips | 3 |
| GDEV 3502 | Dev in Action: Spring Break Faculty-Led Study Trip | 3 |
| GDEV 3680 | Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| GDEV 3900 | Circular Systems | 3 |
| GDEV 4045 | Data and Development | 3 |
| GDEV 4080 | Demographic Techniques 1 | 3 |
| GDEV 4190 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 |
| GDEV 4295 | Data Science Workshop with R | 3 |
- 1
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prereq PUBPOL 2030 Population and Public Policy
Agriculture & Food Systems
This focused elective area is built on an integrative systems perspective that melds the biophysical, socio-economic policy, and nutritional sciences towards the sustainable development of inclusive agriculture and food systems. Students will learn about how food is produced, significant trends and drivers of change, and how to assess systems from an interdisciplinary perspective across cultural contexts. Critical contemporary debates about the future of food systems, such as sustainability, social justice, and resilience, will be examined from various perspectives. Students will also gain foundational skills in agriculture and food systems, including analytics for decision-making, monitoring and evaluation, and project management. This major is designed to support a range of career paths, including development practice, food policy, agricultural extension, and academia.
Required Agriculture & Food Systems Courses
All students must complete the following 2 courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GDEV 2300 | Food Systems and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| or GDEV 3400 | Agriculture, Food, Sustainability and Social Justice | |
| PLSCI 4730 | Ecology of Agricultural Systems | 4.5 |
Select an additional 5 courses (minimum 15 credits) from the lists below. Two courses must be from the Foundational Plant & Ag Sciences list and 2 courses must be from the Social, Economic & Health list and 1 course can be from any of the three lists. At least 2 out of the 5 electives must have a GDEV prefix (6 credits) and at least 3 should be at the 3000 level or higher. Allow up to 2 approved courses to count from study abroad for electives.
Foundational Plant and Agricultural Sciences
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 2000 | Sustainable Food and Companion Animal Systems and Perspectives | 3 |
| BIOEE 4690 | Food, Agriculture, and Society | 3 |
| PLSCI 2110 | Field Crop Systems | 4 |
| PLSCI 3210 | Soil and Crop Management for Sustainability | 3 |
| PLSCI/GDEV 4140 | Global Cropping Systems and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| PLSCI/ENTOM 4440 | Integrated Pest Management | 4 |
Specialized Knowledge in Plant & Ag Sciences
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 2120 | Animal Nutrition | 4 |
| BIOEE 4780 | Ecosystem Biology and Global Change | 4 |
| ENTOM 2030 | Honey Bees: Their Intriguing Biology and Interactions with Humans and More | 3 |
| ENTOM 2031 | Honey Bees: Their Intriguing Biology and Interactions with Humans | 2 |
| PLSCI 2600 | Soil Science | 4 |
| PLSCI 3025 | Hydroponic Food Crop Production and Management | 4 |
| PLSCI 3010 | Biology and Management of Plant Diseases | 4 |
| PLSCI 3150 | Weed Biology and Management | 4 |
| PLSCI 3350 | Sustainable Orchard Management | 2-3 |
| PLSCI 3550 | Postharvest Biology of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| PLSCI 3575 | Principles of Vegetable Production | 3 |
| PLSCI 3800 | Principles and Practices in Certified Organic Agriculture | 3 |
| PLSCI 4020 | Plant Propagation | 3 |
| PLSCI 4175 | Production and Management of Greenhouse Crops | 4 |
| PLSCI 4230 | Equitable Crop Improvement: From Theory to Practice | 3 |
| PLSCI 4520 | Berry Crops: Culture and Management | 3 |
| VIEN 3610 | Vineyard Management I | 2 |
Social, Economic and Health
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 4485 | Economics of Food and Malnutrition | 3 |
| GDEV 2202 | Ethics of Technology and Development | 3 |
| GDEV 2300 | Food Systems and Sustainable Development (cannot double count) | 3 |
| GDEV 2450 | Development Economics: Global Perspectives | 3 |
| GDEV 3020 | Political Ecologies of Health | 3 |
| GDEV 3030 | FoodCycle: Systems Thinking Toward Circular Economy for Organic Resources | 3 |
| GDEV 3170 | Land Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| GDEV 3300 | Impact Evaluation for Development | 3 |
| GDEV 3400 | Agriculture, Food, Sustainability and Social Justice (cannot double count) | 3 |
| GDEV 3500 & GDEV 3501 | Development in Action: Fall Faculty-Led Study Trip Preparation and Development in Action: Winter Faculty-Led Study Trips | 3 |
| GDEV 3502 | Dev in Action: Spring Break Faculty-Led Study Trip | 3 |
| GDEV 3900 | Circular Systems | 3 |
| GDEV 4190 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 |
| GDEV 4450 | Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy for Developing Countries | 3 |
| GDEV 4880 | Global Food, Energy, and Water Nexus – Engage the US, China, and India for Sustainable Future | 3-4 |
| NS 3060 | Nutrition and Global Health | 3 |
| NTRES 3330 | Ways of Knowing: Indigenous and Place-Based Ecological Knowledge | 3 |
Environment & Development
This focused elective area will build students' capacity to analyze the interactions between development practice and the environment. Through a range of courses, students will explore how society makes difficult choices concerning the control, use, and long-term management of land, freshwater, and marine resources. In engaging with these ethically complex and politically laden issues, students also examine how these topics are intertwined with issues of global food security and health, culture and identity, livelihood security, policy and intergenerational environmental justice.
Required Environment & Development Courses
Select 1 from the Social Science list; 1 from the Biophysical Science list
Social Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GDEV 3150 | Climate Change and Global Development: Living in the Anthropocene | 3 |
| GDEV 3170 | Land Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| GDEV 3240 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| GDEV 3390 | Modeling People and the Environment | 3 |
| GDEV 3680 | Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
Biophysical Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EAS 1101 | Climate and Energy: a 21st Century Earth Science Perspective | 3 |
| EAS 2680 | Climate and Global Warming | 3 |
| ENVS 1201 | Global Water Sustainability | 3 |
| NTRES 3220 | Global Biodiversity | 3 |
| NTRES 3240 | Sustainable, Ecologically Based Management of Water Resources | 3 |
Select 5 additional biophysical science or social science courses (minimum 15 credits) from the lists above or from the lists below. At least 2 out of the 5 electives must have a GDEV prefix (6 credits) and at least 3 should be at the 3000 level or higher. Allow up to 2 approved courses to count from study abroad for electives.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BEE 2000 | Perspectives on the Climate Change Challenge | 1.5 |
| GDEV 2010 | Population and Social Change | 3 |
| GDEV 2202 | Ethics of Technology and Development | 3 |
| GDEV 2300 | Food Systems and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| GDEV 2450 | Development Economics: Global Perspectives | 3 |
| GDEV 3020 | Political Ecologies of Health | 3 |
| GDEV 3030 | FoodCycle: Systems Thinking Toward Circular Economy for Organic Resources | 3 |
| GDEV 3140 | Mapping Our Worlds: Cartography and Analysis in GIS | 4 |
| GDEV 3300 | Impact Evaluation for Development | 3 |
| GDEV 3400 | Agriculture, Food, Sustainability and Social Justice | 3 |
| GDEV 3500 & GDEV 3501 | Development in Action: Fall Faculty-Led Study Trip Preparation and Development in Action: Winter Faculty-Led Study Trips | 3 |
| GDEV 3502 | Dev in Action: Spring Break Faculty-Led Study Trip | 3 |
| GDEV 3680 | Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| GDEV 3740 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| GDEV 4045 | Data and Development | 3 |
| GDEV 4080 | Demographic Techniques | 3 |
| GDEV 4190 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 |
| GDEV 4295 | Data Science Workshop with R | 3 |
| GDEV 4340 | ||
| NTRES 3330 | Ways of Knowing: Indigenous and Place-Based Ecological Knowledge | 3 |
| PUBPOL 3670 | Economics and Environmental Policy | 3 |
| SOC 3650 | Sociology of Disasters | 3 |
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
Upon completion of the Global Development major, students will be able to:
- Describe, critique and debate competing global development paradigms, and craft and defend a personal philosophy of development.
- Apply systems perspectives to analyses of current and future development problems, and to draw upon multiple disciplines for supporting evidence.
- Demonstrate proficiency in research design and data collection or analyzing and synthesizing quantitative, qualitative or geospatial data using at least one type of analytical method to reach defensible conclusions to inform science, policy, program design or practice.
- Develop and apply professional and technical skills in the context of development research, practice and policy.
- Communicate to diverse audiences how their engaged experiences inform and enrich their understanding of research, practice or policy.
- Exhibit attitudes of openness, humility and respect in interactions with others, including those who hold different perspectives and worldviews, or who differ along lines of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual identity, socioeconomic class or political or religious affiliation.