Courses of Study 2023-2024

Nov 21, 2024

Courses of Study 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Academic Options

In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .

Early Enrollment Pathway
Opportunities in Research
Off-Campus Opportunities
Special Studies
Certificate Programs

Early Enrollment Pathway

Outstanding undergraduate students may be admitted for professional study in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Law School, or the SC Johnson College of Business prior to completion of their undergraduate program. To be considered, a student must:

Fulfill all distribution requirements for the College (e.g., humanities and social sciences, 55 CALS credits, etc.)
Fulfill all major requirements for the college.
Complete a minimum of 108 of their 120 academic credits toward the Bachelor of Science before the start of the senior year and have been accepted by one of the above-named professional schools. No more than 12 academic credits can be substituted from the graduate program to complete the CALS Bachelor of Science degree.
Fulfill the University Graduation Requirements .
Earn a Bachelor of Sciences degree from CALS at the end of their fourth year.
All candidates are required to confirm eligibility with an advisor in CALS Office of Student Services, 140 Roberts Hall.

College of Veterinary Medicine

Cornell Accelerated 7-Year BS/DVM Pathway: criteria for acceptance can be found directly on the College of Veterinary Medicine website.

Early Acceptance Pathway: The College of Veterinary Medicine may accept students who are permitted to register at the completion of their junior year and complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Criteria for acceptance can be found directly on the College of Veterinary Medicine website.

Cornell Law School

The 3+3 Pathway gives Cornell University undergraduates the opportunity to spend their senior year of study at Cornell Law School. The student will earn the Bachelor of Science degree after the first year of professional school. Criteria for acceptance can be found directly on the Cornell Law School 3+3 Pathway website. Interested students should begin the admissions process during fall of their junior year and must schedule an appointment with an advisor in CALS Office of Student Services to update their degree plan.

Samuel Curtis Johnson College of Business

5-Year Bachelors/MBA: information can be found directly on the SC Johnson College of Business website. In addition to meeting the criteria above, interested students should begin the admissions process during fall of their junior year and must schedule an appointment with an advisor in CALS Office of Student Services to update their degree plan.

Opportunities in Research

Undergraduate Research

Students at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are exposed to a wide variety of learning experiences. One of the best ways for a student to gain knowledge beyond the textbook is to engage in original research.

Many opportunities for research exist across the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the University.

Students may be able to work on a faculty member’s research project for pay. Opportunities can be identified by contacting individual faculty members or departmental offices. A second option is for students to receive credit through a 4990-level course within a department by conducting their own research project under a faculty mentor. Hundreds of students each year conduct research for credit.

Juniors and seniors usually have the course background to engage in research, but first-year students and sophomores also may be qualified to do some types of research. Off-campus research experiences are also available for pay or as internships.

Research Honors Program

The Research Honors Program provides students with a special opportunity to work with a faculty mentor to experience the research process. The bachelor of science degree with “distinction in research” is conferred upon those students who, in addition to having completed the requirements for the B.S. degree, have satisfactorily completed the honors program and have been recommended for the degree by the honors committee.

Research may be done in these program areas: animal sciences, biological sciences, biology & society, communication, entomology, environment and sustainability, information science, landscape studies, nutritional sciences, physical sciences, plant sciences, and social sciences. Students in any CALS major may be eligible to participate in most of these program areas. Each program area has its own requirements in addition to the college requirements. After reviewing the requirements of each program area (below), students’ questions may be directed toward the appropriate program area chair.

Visit Undergraduate Research Opportunities for information about identifying a research topic, conferring with a faculty member, and undergraduate funding opportunities.

Research Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Identify a question or topic requiring original research through critical examination of existing literature
Formulate the question into one or more testable hypotheses or central arguments and develop methods suitable to evaluate these hypotheses or arguments
Obtain information relevant to the hypotheses or arguments through effective use of contemporary methods and research techniques
Critically analyze the evidence obtained to refute or support the hypotheses or arguments
Integrate the findings of this research to the findings of others and to larger issues in the discipline
Communicate effectively through writing the thesis and oral or poster presentations

Honors Degree Requirements

Application Requirements and Procedures

An undergraduate wishing to enroll in the honors program must have completed a minimum of 55 credits, at least 30 while at Cornell. Additionally, the student must have a cumulative Cornell GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of entry and at the completion of the program, unless otherwise noted by a particular program.

Interested students should make arrangements and discuss research ideas with a faculty member by the second semester of their junior year. Students must submit an application and thesis proposal to the appropriate office in accordance with their program area procedures and deadlines. Knowing the deadlines and submission procedures for a particular program area is the student’s responsibility.

Applications

Applications for Biological Sciences students are available in the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 216 Stimson Hall.
Applications for Biology and Society students are available at 303 Morrill Hall.
Applications for Communication students are available online.
Students of all other programs should apply via the Cornell Experience CALS Research Honors Program website.

The CALS Research Honors Program Committee meets in the fall to give final approval of all qualified applicants, officially enrolling them in the honors program. Additional requirements for application and completion of the honors program are specified by each program area.

Honors Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in the honors program may earn credits for their research by enrolling in an independent research course (this course is not a requirement in all program areas). Funding opportunities are also available.

Students are required to present their research in the form of an oral presentation or poster session. Some departments have a seminar series during which honors presentations may be given; the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) Forum is another possible venue for presentations. Students should discuss presentation options with their faculty mentors.

In addition to a presentation, successful completion of the honors program requires a research report, written in the style of a master’s thesis or scholarly journal article. Students may volunteer to publish their original honors research at eCommons Cornell University Library, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. A permission form to allow a thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair. Thesis examples are available on the web; each program area chair may also be able to provide relevant examples.

Each year, in recognition of student honors research achievements, CALS prints a booklet of honors theses abstracts (CALS Research Honors Abstracts). Students are responsible for submitting their formatted abstracts in accordance with abstract publication instructions.

Unless otherwise indicated within individual program area descriptions, theses should be submitted to the research program area committee no later than four weeks before the end of classes during the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences wishing to participate in the Research Honors Program are not eligible for “distinction in research” by participating in a program offered by another Cornell college or administrative unit.

The research honors committee for each program area then recommends to the college registrar those students who qualify for honors. Only those who maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and complete all of their honor requirements will be graduated with “distinction in research.”

More information is available on the CALS Research Honors Program website.

Honors Program Areas

Below are listed the CALS research honors program areas and their specific area requirements and deadlines.

Animal Sciences

Faculty committee: S. M. Quirk, Chair; J. Alan, Y. R. Boisclair, D. J. Cherney, E. Duan, Q. M. Ketterings, J. W. McFadden, T. R. Overton, E. T. Won

The objective of the animal sciences research honors program is to provide outstanding undergraduates with the opportunity to pursue supervised independent research and to develop an awareness of the scientific process. It is expected that the research will require significant effort and creative input by the student in its design and execution and in the reporting of the results.

Those students with majors in animal sciences who are interested in doing a research project should consult with their faculty advisors by their junior year. All students are expected to meet the college requirements in qualifying for the program and to complete the following:

Identify a potential research honors project sponsor (i.e., a faculty member at Cornell working in the animal sciences) and secure that faculty member’s commitment to sponsor the student in a research project. This should be accomplished by the second semester of the junior year or earlier. Students are encouraged to implement some research during the junior year and/or summer before the senior year.
Enroll in the Honors Program using the CALS application form within the first 6 weeks of the fall semester, senior year.
Register for ANSC 4990 if you wish to obtain course credit for your research.
Participate in ANSC 4020 during the spring semester of the senior year and report on and discuss the project and results.
Submit a written thesis to the Animal Sciences Research Honors Committee by the scheduled deadline (mid-April for May graduates). Specific information regarding deadlines, format, and organization for the thesis will be provided.
Meet with the Animal Sciences Research Honors Committee for a short oral defense of the thesis following a review of the thesis by the student’s mentor and the research committee.
Submit to the honors committee chair an electronic copy of the final approved thesis (in pdf or Word format).
Students may volunteer to publish their original honors research at eCommons Cornell University Library, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. A permission form to allow a thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair.
Each year, in recognition of student honors research achievements, CALS prints a booklet of honors theses abstracts (CALS Research Honors Abstracts). Students are responsible for submitting their formatted abstracts in accordance with abstract publication instructions.

Details pertaining to the specific requirements of the program can be obtained from Dr. Quirk, Department of Animal Science, 434 Morrison Hall, smq1@cornell.edu.

Biological Sciences

Students interested in the Research Honors Program in the Biological Sciences should consult with their academic advisors and with potential faculty research mentors early in their junior year. See the Biological Sciences Website for complete details. If you have additional questions related to research, applications, and program requirements, contact biohonors@cornell.edu or the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 216 Stimson Hall.

Biology & Society

Faculty committee: Jessica Ratcliff, Director of Undergraduate Studies

The Research Honors Program in Biology & Society is designed to provide independent research opportunities for academically talented undergraduate students in Biology & Society. Students who enroll in this program are expected, with faculty guidance, to do independent study and research dealing with issues in biology and society. Students participating in the program should find the experience intellectually stimulating and rewarding whether or not they intend to pursue a research career.

Biology & Society students are considered for entry into the research honors program at the end of the second semester of the junior year. Application forms for the program are available on the Biology & Society website, at our office- 303 Morrill Hall, or by contacting bsoc@cornell.edu. To qualify for the Biology & Society Research Honors Program, a student must have an overall Cornell cumulative GPA of at least 3.3, have formulated a research topic, and have found a project supervisor (with a Cornell academic appointment) and another faculty member willing to serve as their project advisor. At least one of these must be a member of the Biology & Society major. Applications will be reviewed by a committee headed by the director of undergraduate studies, who will notify students directly of the outcome. Students will be permitted to register for the honors program only by permission of the department. Students must enroll for both the fall and spring semesters. They must attend the honors seminar during the fall semester. More information on the honors program is available in the Biology & Society office, 303 Morrill.

Important Deadlines. Note: If the following dates fall on a weekend, the deadline is the preceding Friday.

Last week of second semester of the junior year: Application for honors program submitted to 303 Morrill Hall.
First Monday after Labor Day: a 1000- word thesis proposal with preliminary bibliography submitted to first reader.
End of first semester: students meet with first reader to decide whether to move forward.
March 7: First draft submitted to thesis advisor.
April 8-15: Thesis completed in a form satisfactory for evaluation and submitted to the three readers.
April 29-May 10: Thesis defense accomplished.
May 13: One bound copy of completed and defended thesis submitted to the Undergraduate Coordinator in 303 Morrill Hall.

Students may volunteer to publish their original honors research at eCommons Cornell University Library, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. A permission form to allow a thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair.

Communication

Faculty Committee: Natalie Bazarova, chair

The research honors program in communication offers outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to work with a member of the communication faculty to pursue supervised independent research in the areas of media, technology, science, environment, health, persuasion, social influence, collaboration, intercultural communication, and other communication topics. The subject matter and nature of the research experience may be quite varied. Students participating should find the experience intellectually stimulating and rewarding, whether or not they intend to pursue a research career. It is expected that the research will require significant effort by the student in its design and execution, and in reporting of the results. The Bachelor of Science degree with “distinction in research” is conferred to students who successfully complete an honors thesis in communication.

The guidance and supervision of a faculty member with substantial interest and expertise is essential to the success of the research honors project. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with faculty during their junior year in order to identify someone to serve as their honors thesis advisor. Honors thesis faculty advisors must be members of the graduate field of communication. Students should enroll in COMM 4990 their senior year to receive course credit for their honors research work.

Timeline

For Spring Graduates:

Junior year: contact communication faculty to talk about research ideas and identify thesis advisor
The proposal is due the 4th Thursday of the fall semester.
The thesis is due the 3rd Friday of April in the spring semester.

For Fall Graduates:

Junior year: contact communication faculty to talk about research ideas and identify thesis advisor
The proposal is due the 4th Thursday of the spring semester.
The thesis is due the 3rd Friday of November in the fall semester.

Thesis Proposals

Students should work closely with their honors thesis advisor in developing their thesis proposals. The purpose of the proposal is twofold. First, it formalizes a plan of study and establishes a set of expectations between the student and the faculty advisor. Second, the Communication Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will facilitate a formal review of the proposal to determine whether it is consistent with honors thesis requirements and, in some cases, to make suggestions for improvement.

The proposal should be 5 to 10 typed, double-spaced pages and include the following:

Research Topic: State the problem to be studied or the topic of interest. Review the basic literature and the background of the problem or topic; include a more extensive bibliography to be consulted.
Research Questions/Empirical Hypotheses: Specify the proposed questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested empirically via collection of data and a mode of analysis accepted in the field of communication research.
Research Methods: Discuss the models to be constructed (if any), sampling procedures, data collection procedures (including measurement instruments and survey or experimental designs, if appropriate), and proposed methods of analysis.
Expected Significance: State what new knowledge or information is likely to be forthcoming and why it is important. State any practical applications expected as a result of the research.
References

Theses

After the April/November deadline, the thesis will be independently reviewed typically by two faculty committee members within about two weeks. If further revisions are required, students will be informed and a revised draft will be requested. Students who successfully complete a communication honors theses are often invited to present their research to the communication department in late April - early May or late November - early December.

We also recommend students consult the following resource as they prepare their thesis drafts:

Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism

Application Submission

All proposals and theses should be uploaded and submitted to the Communication Undergraduate Program Coordinator through this online form.

Entomology

Faculty committee: C. Gilbert, chair

The Program: A research honors program in Entomology may be pursued by any student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who meets the qualifications below. The student does not need to be majoring in Entomology. Because insects are so biodiverse, abundant, ecologically important, and used as model organisms at multiple levels of analysis, they are ideal subjects for honors study. Entomology’s diverse faculty interests and extensive collections are major assets if a student selects entomology as the area for research honors study.

Though research experiences are available to all undergraduate students (see links below for academic credit options), the Research Honors program is designed to capture the full range of the scientific process, from selecting a research question, designing a study to test hypotheses (often through experimentation), analysis of data collected, writing and revising a thesis, and public presentation of the results.

Qualifications: An undergraduate intending to enroll in the Entomology Research Honors Program must be matriculated in CALS, and have completed a minimum of 55 credits, at least 30 while at Cornell. Additionally, the student must have a cumulative Cornell GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of entry to the program.

Research honors students have the option of earning academic credit by enrolling in ENTOM 4970 - Individual Study in Entomology or ENTOM 4990 - Undergraduate Research in Entomology during any semester while working toward a research honors thesis. Credits and grade option for satisfying requirements of the course should be discussed with the thesis advisor (below).

Note: Enrolling in an independent study course, either ENTOM 4970 or ENTOM 4990 , is not a requirement for participating in the Research Honors Program in Entomology. Upon completion of the requirements and acceptance of the thesis, the students diploma will state “with distinction in research.”

Sequence of Requirements: The Entomology Research Honors Committee requires that an undergraduate student interested in embarking on a research honors project should proceed with the following steps:

Discuss the possibility of a potential honors project with your academic advisor or potential research supervisor, preferably no later than your junior year. This timing makes it possible to carefully plan a research project and implement some research during the junior year and/or summer before the senior year, especially if field work is involved.
No later than the end of your junior year, preferably, you should select an appropriate faculty member who can serve as an honors project supervisor to oversee your research project. The research supervisor need not be your academic advisor, but should be someone whose area of expertise best suits your interests and who wants to work with you. Typically, but not necessarily, they will be in the Department of Entomology.
Discuss and develop a project with your honors project supervisor, ultimately resulting in a brief written plan. The plan should include a statement of objectives or hypotheses, proposed methods for testing the hypotheses, along with needs for laboratory or field space or shared equipment.
No later than the end of the second week of the first semester of your senior year, submit a completed application and proposal approved by your supervisor. Applications are available online. Also submit a PDF version to the Chair of the Entomology Research Honors Committee. Earlier submission is strongly encouraged.
Early in the Fall semester, talk to your project supervisor about sources of funding for undergraduate research that are available through CALS. Your chances of getting funding will be better the more developed your project is.
You will be requested to provide updates on your progress to the Chair of the Entomology Research Honors Committee. One will be a check-in during the fall semester of your senior year. Another will be in late February or early March of your senior spring to confirm that you have made progress and expect to complete the Honors Thesis by the end of the semester.
By the end of spring break of your last semester, you should submit the title and abstract of your research, and a simple statement that your project will be completed by the deadline. Your abstract and statement should be approved and signed by your project supervisor and forwarded to the Chair of the Research Honors Committee. The abstract does not need to be the final version, but will assist the Chair in soliciting reviewers for your thesis.
Draft(s) of your thesis should be reviewed by your supervisor, revised, and polished well before the submission deadline during the final months prior to graduation.
Three weeks before the last day of classes in the semester in which the student anticipates graduation submit a polished and revised digital copy in Word of the final honors thesis (as approved by the honors project supervisor, with signature) to the Chair of the Entomology Research Honors Committee. The thesis will be reviewed by the Chair of the Honors Committee and at least one other referee selected by the Chair.
Reviewed theses will be returned to the student usually at least one week before the last day of classes. If reviewers indicate that changes must be made, the revised thesis should be submitted to the Entomology Research Honors Committee Chair no later than the last day of the study break before final exams begin. Referees should include a recommendation to the Entomology Research Honors Committee Chair regarding acceptability of the thesis for honors recognition.
Present a formal seminar reporting the significant findings of your research to the Department of Entomology in the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of the semester of your senior year. The Chair of the Research Honors Committee will provide details on the date, time, duration of your presentation, etc.
Students may volunteer to electronically submit their final approved thesis (in pdf or Word format) for Mann Library. Mann Library has given CALS the opportunity to have the theses available to the public electronically if this does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in another journal. A permission form to allow the thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair. The thesis should be turned into the Honors Chair.
Each year, in recognition of student honors research achievements, CALS prints a booklet of honors theses abstracts (CALS Research Honors Abstracts). Students are responsible for submitting their formatted abstracts in accordance with abstract publication instructions.

Requirements for honors project supervisors. Your supervisor must agree to the following:

Will approve your thesis proposal before it is submitted to the committee Chair
Will provide the necessary equipment, supplies, and facilities to conduct your research
Will guide, support, and evaluate your progress as you work towards your thesis
Will review and provide feedback on your progress report before it is submitted
Will review and provide feedback on your thesis before you submit the thesis for formal review

The complete text of this section can be found at the Entomology honors web page.

Environment and Sustainability

Program coordinator: Colleen M. Kearns

Faculty Committee: Cliff Kraft, chair; R. Marino

Program Overview

If you find that you enjoy research and want the experience of being a manuscript author, consider the Environment & Sustainability Research Honors Program in your senior year. Some CALS honors programs,including Environment & Sustainability, require an application at the end of junior year. See the list of fields at CALS Research Honors Programs and ask your research mentor which honors program is the best fit for your work.

The research honors program in environment and sustainability involves original, independent research that generates novel findings in a breadth of disciplines spanning the social, biological and physical sciences, and the humanities. Students are encouraged to understand and address contemporary environmental and sustainability issues through an interdisciplinary and integrated approach. Thesis candidates learn how to design and carry out research under the direct supervision and guidance of a thesis advisor.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to network early in their undergraduate career with faculty instructors, advisors, and graduate teaching assistants to identify a Cornell faculty member doing work that aligns with their interests and career goals. Most honors candidates begin thesis research in their junior year. Students doing research off campus rely on winter and summer breaks to collect data at their field sites.

In the senior year, candidates meet on a regular basis with their thesis advisor whose responsibility is to guide and approve the thesis work. Candidates will present the findings of their work in a special symposium in May.

Thesis Timeline

Thesis work is completed early in the senior spring semester. The thesis manuscript is submitted for formal review in mid-April. Once the thesis is formally accepted, CALS candidates graduate with Distinction in Research.

Junior Year

Identify a thesis advisor and research topic if you did not do so in sophomore year.
Apply to the E&S Honors Program by the end of junior year using the link on the E&S honors web page.

Senior Year

ENVS 4990 - Undergraduate Research in Environment and Sustainability can be added (in consultation with your research advisor) to receive credit for research work done in fall and/or spring. Candidates in both CALS and CAS enroll in research credits using the CALS Special Studies form. Enrollment in research credits is optional, not a requirement, in the E&S honors program.
Thesis submission: Mid-April (approx. April 15) is the target window for the formal thesis submission for May graduates. December and August graduates should contact the E&S Program for details on their timelines.
By the end of classes, candidates will receive thesis feedback and have an opportunity to revise their manuscript.
Thesis Revision: By the end of finals, candidates submit the final version of thesis.
May: Candidates present the findings of their thesis project in an honors symposium.
Students may volunteer to publish their original honors research on eCommons, Cornell’s digital repository, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. Authors must sign a Release to Publish, obtained from the E&S honors program coordinator, in order to publish their thesis on eCommons.

Information Science

Students should follow the CALS social sciences guidelines to obtain research honors in information science and refer to our honors requirements page for more information.

Students are accepted into the social science research honors program of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences after:

meeting all the college criteria described in Courses of Study
evaluation of the student’s written application
approval of a detailed thesis proposal.

The application and proposal are due to the program area chair no later than the third week of the first semester of the senior year. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or better to be considered.

Each student is encouraged to begin working on this proposal with a prospective faculty thesis advisor during the junior year. The purpose of the proposal is two-fold. First, it formalizes a plan of study and establishes a set of expectations between the student and his or her faculty advisor. Second, the honors committee reviews the proposal to determine whether it is consistent with honors thesis requirements and to make suggestions for improvement. The proposal should be 5 to 10 typed, double-spaced pages and include the following:

Research Topic: State the problem to be studied or the topic of interest. Review the basic literature and the background of the problem or topic; include a more extensive bibliography to be consulted.
Research Questions/Empirical Hypotheses: Specify the proposed questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested empirically via collection of data and a mode of analysis accepted in the social sciences.
Research Methods: Discuss the models to be constructed (if any), sampling procedures, data collection procedures (including measurement instruments and survey or experimental designs, if appropriate), and proposed methods of analysis.
Expected Significance: State what new knowledge or information is likely to be forthcoming and why it is important. State any practical applications expected as a result of the research.
Faculty advisors must be members of the graduate faculty. Exceptions may be granted for persons with special expertise who are deemed capable of thesis supervision; exceptions may be granted pending petition to the Social Science Research Honors Committee. Students should register for honors credit directed by the faculty research honors project advisor. Honors independent study (6 credits) can be awarded accompanying the work.

Landscape Studies

Faculty committee: J. Vanucchi, chair

The research honors program in landscape studies offers outstanding undergraduates in CALS the opportunity to work with a member of the landscape architecture faculty to pursue supervised independent research in the cultural landscape, landscape archeology, environmental design resilience, community-based design and other design topics. The subject matter and nature of the research experience may be quite varied. Students participating should find the experience intellectually stimulating and rewarding, whether or not they intend to pursue a research career. The guidance and supervision of a faculty member with substantial interest and expertise in the subject is essential to the success of the research honors project. It is expected that the research will require significant effort and creative input by the student in its design and execution and in reporting the results.

Students who consider this option should be aware that honors research is undertaken above and beyond all requirements for graduation in the major of landscape architecture. It involves a number of deadlines and a considerable time commitment. Before signing on for research honors, students need to consult with their academic advisor to make sure that honors research projects will not interfere with other academic or professional objectives such as job applications, preparation of portfolios or application to graduate school as these may need to be deferred until the thesis is complete. Students are responsible for meeting deadlines and being prepared for presentations and other meetings.

Although honors research credits for spring semester junior year and both semesters senior year are designated a letter grade, individual mentors may choose the R grade for work in progress until the project has been fully completed. Grade is determined by each student’s mentor. The designation of “distinction in research” on the diploma is awarded at the recommendation of the faculty advisor and other referees to the honors committee chair. An outline of activities for both years is given below.

The Landscape Studies Research Honors Committee requires that an undergraduate who is interested in embarking on a research honors project proceed with the following steps:

Junior year: Identify a potential research honors project sponsor and secure that faculty member’s commitment to sponsor the student in the research project. This should be accomplished early in the second semester of the junior year and be finalized by the end of the spring semester.

Work with a faculty advisor to identify and formulate a research question or pursuit. If the faculty advisor is not in the Department of Landscape Architecture, select a co-advisor from the department to ensure that the research is consistent with the field.
Submit a completed application and proposal (approved by the honors project supervisor and the chair of the research honors committee) no later than the end of the fourth week of the first semester of the senior year. Earlier submissions are encouraged. These will be reviewed by two ad hoc committee members, and successful thesis proposals will be submitted to the college honors committee by the sixth week.
Carry out an independent research effort that is original and separate from the work of others who may be investigating similar subjects.
Submit an outline of the thesis to the chair of the committee by the end of January for a May graduation.
Submit a draft to the readers by April 15. Describe and summarize the work within the range of formats used in the master’s thesis program or professional journals in design or research. This version will be reviewed by the faculty supervisor and two ad hoc reviewers, and the student will be able to incorporate the committee’s comments and suggestions into the final version, which will be due the last day of classes. Referees prepare a recommendation to the honors committee chair regarding the acceptability of the honors thesis.
Give one oral presentation to the group of other honors research students and invited faculty members. Both presentations are during the student’s senior year.
Send one bound copy of the completed and defended thesis to the honors committee chair by May 13 or another date provided by CALS, whichever is sooner.
Students may choose to publish their original honors research at eCommons Cornell University Library, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. A permission form to allow a thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair.
Each year, in recognition of student honors research achievements, CALS prints a booklet of honors theses abstracts (CALS Research Honors Abstracts). Students are responsible for submitting their formatted abstracts in accordance with abstract publication instructions.

Nutritional Sciences, within the Division of Nutritional Sciences

The Honors Program in the Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS) offers DNS majors (NS, HBHS, and GPHS) with strong academic records access to tools and support while engaging on independent research with a Cornell research faculty mentor. This structured research experience involves a multi-semester research project and culminates in an undergraduate honors thesis and symposium presentation.

To complete the program, students must meet the following requirements:

Be engaged in a multi-semester independent research project within a Cornell faculty member’s research program.
Achieve and maintain minimum GPA of 3.2.
Register and successfully complete NS 3980 - Research in Human Nutrition and Health (1cr., Fall of sophomore or junior year).
Register and successfully complete 6 credits of NS 4990 - Honors Problem (during the final two semesters). As part of this course, students will be required to complete a series of writing tasks including a progress report, abstract, literature review, full thesis draft, and final thesis.
Present at the DNS Honors Research Symposium (end of final semester).

Additional details about eligibility requirements, application procedures, and assignment descriptions can be found on the DNS Honors Program website.

Noteworthy, many DNS majors participate in research through an independent study or employment, with or without applying to the DNS Honors. Read more about getting involved in undergraduate research and about DNS faculty research.

Physical Sciences

Faculty committee: M. W. Wysocki, chair

The research honors program in physical sciences provides outstanding students with an opportunity to do independent research under the supervision of a faculty member in the Departments of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Food Science, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, or Biological Statistics and Computational Biology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the college, the student is expected to:

Identify a thesis advisor and thesis topic before the end of the junior year.
Work with the thesis advisor to prepare a budget, short research proposal (2–3 pages), and application form. These materials must be received by the Physical Sciences committee chair by the end of the third week of senior year.
Enroll in the program for a minimum of two semesters.
Enroll in the appropriate departmental undergraduate research course for a total of at least 6 credits.
Submit an outline of the thesis to the chair of the committee by the end of January (for a May graduation).
Submit a draft of the thesis to the thesis advisor with sufficient lead-time for a revision to be prepared.
Submit three copies of the thesis and names of recommended reviewers to the chair of the honors committee by four weeks before the end of classes in the semester in which graduation is expected.
Student should make the proper arrangements with their department for an oral or poster presentation of the thesis.
Students may volunteer to publish their original honors research at eCommons Cornell University Library, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. A permission form to allow a thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair.
Each year, in recognition of student honors research achievements, CALS prints a booklet of honors theses abstracts (CALS Research Honors Abstracts). Students are responsible for submitting their formatted abstracts in accordance with abstract publication instructions.

There is no required format, but the thesis is usually written in the form of a research journal article or a master’s thesis.

Further details of the program can be obtained from the chair of the Physical Sciences Research Honors Committee.

Plant Sciences

Faculty committee: T. Pawlowska, chair; T. Bauerle, A. DiTommaso, M. Smith-Einarson

The Research Honors Program in Plant Sciences is designed for students interested in seeking advanced training in laboratory or field research through completion of an original research project under the guidance of a faculty member in the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS). The breadth and diversity of research interests of SIPS faculty provide students a valuable opportunity to engage in basic and applied research to be well-positioned to pursue career goals. Students may also work with faculty in any department at Cornell as long as the research topic deals with plants.

Honors Program Requirements and Procedures

Students interested in enrolling in the Research Honors Program in Plant Sciences must:

Meet college requirements
Have an overall GPA of at least 3.0
By the first semester of the junior year, discuss your interests in the program with your academic advisor and with potential faculty research mentors. Become engaged in research.
By the second semester of the junior year, initiate an independent research project with a faculty research supervisor who will guide and approve the thesis work (recommended: complete PLSCI 4990 - Independent Undergraduate Research in Plant Science )
In the first semester of the senior year, attend the information session for new applicants. For the Fall semester, it will be in the week after Labor Day. Contact the research honors committee chair, Dr. Teresa Pawlowska (tep8@cornell.edu), for the time and place.
In the first semester of the senior year, submit your application, as described below. The deadline for receipt of the application will be the sixth Thursday of the semester.

Application Procedures

Application involves a two-step procedure:

Submit the following documents via email to the committee chair, Dr. Teresa Pawlowska (tep8@cornell.edu):

Research description (3-6 pages, single space, font 12) that should include:
- Title of research project, your name, and name of research supervisor
- Statement of objectives and significance
- Brief overview of literature
- Experimental procedures
- Research accomplished to date
- Literature cited
Signed honors thesis supervisor agreement. Contact Dr. Pawlowska (tep8@cornell.edu), for a copy. Supervisors must agree to mentor your project, provide necessary facilities and supplies, and work with you toward a successful completion of your thesis.
Your application will be reviewed by two or more members of the Plant Science Honors Committee, or other faculty members with expertise in your area of research.

2. Upon approval of your application at Step 1, you will be asked to submit your application to CALS Research Honors at the Experience Cornell website.

Honors Degree Requirements

Honors candidates are encouraged to enroll and obtain credit each semester in PLSCI 4990 - Independent Undergraduate Research in Plant Science under the direction of the faculty member acting as the honors supervisor, although the program does not have a specific credit requirement.

Students accepted into the Plant Sciences Honors Program must complete the following in order to graduate with Distinction in Research:

Enroll in PLSCI 4950 - Senior Seminar in Plant Sciences and present research findings at the SIPS Senior Symposium (end of the spring semester of the senior year).
Plant Sciences Honors graduates are encouraged to present their work at the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board Spring Forum [CURB] near the end of each semester. (See: courses2.cit.cornell.edu/CURB/).
Submit honors thesis by the scheduled deadline near the end of your senior year [thesis should be submitted electronically to the committee chair (tep8@cornell.edu).]
- Your thesis will be reviewed by faculty who will recommend revisions and provide professional feedback.
Students must submit their abstracts, formatted in accordance with abstract publication instructions, for inclusion in the CALS booklet of honors thesis abstracts (CALS Research Honors Abstracts).
Students encouraged to publish their original research in co-authored peer-reviewed journals with their supervisor and collaborators. In addition, students are encouraged to publish their thesis at eCommons, Cornell University Library.

Social Sciences

Faculty Committee: T. Hirschl, chair; P. M. Eloundou-Enyegue, T. Alexander

This thesis program is open to students in CALS who work in a set of social science related fields (including applied economics and management, global development, development sociology, international agriculture and rural development and information science). The program provides an excellent opportunity for students to pursue independent study and research under the guidance/mentorship of a faculty member. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with faculty during their junior year in order to identify someone to serve as their honors thesis advisor. Honors thesis faculty advisors must be members of the graduate faculty. Exceptions may be granted for persons with special expertise pending petition to the committee. Previously approved theses covered a wide range of topics and methodologies. A complete list can be found at the Cornell library eCommons website.

Students are accepted into the social sciences research honors program of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences after meeting all the college criteria, after evaluation of the student’s written application, and on approval of a detailed thesis proposal by the Social Science Honors Committee.

Guidelines and Due Dates

A. Application and Proposal:

Students must submit by email a copy of the completed application and proposal to the social science program area faculty committee chair (Dr. Tom Hirschl) as well as a letter of support from their advisor, confirming their ability to oversee the thesis (see application deadlines below). Late applications will not be considered.

Application timeline & dates

Junior year: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with faculty during their junior year in order to identify someone to serve as their honors thesis advisor. Honors thesis faculty advisors must be members of the graduate faculty. Exceptions may be granted for persons with special expertise pending petition to the committee.
For May graduates, the proposal is due the 3rd Friday of September to the Social Science Undergraduate Program Coordinator. (For December graduates, the proposal will be due the 4th Friday of February of the Spring semester.)
The thesis is due the 3rd Friday of April the Spring semester to the Social Science Undergraduate Program Coordinator. (For December graduates, the proposal will be due the 3rd Friday of November in the Fall semester.)

May Graduate Timeline

Academic Year 2023-2024
Proposals due 15 September 2023

Proposal Details

Working with their honors thesis advisor, students should begin developing their thesis proposals during the second semester of junior year. The purpose of the proposal is twofold. First, it formalizes a plan of study and establishes a set of expectations between the student and the faculty advisor. Second, the honors committee reviews the proposal to determine whether it is consistent with honors thesis requirements and to make suggestions for improvement. Students accepted into the honors program may register for credit directed by the honors thesis faculty advisor (e.g., AEM 4990 , COMM 4990 , GDEV 4990 , EDUC 4990 ).

The proposal should be 5 to 10 typed, double-spaced pages and include the following:

Research Topic: State the problem to be studied or the topic of interest. Review the basic literature and the background of the problem or topic; include a more extensive bibliography to be consulted.
Research Questions/Empirical Hypotheses: Specify the proposed questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested empirically via collection of data and a mode of analysis accepted in the social sciences.
Research Methods: Discuss the models to be constructed (if any), sampling procedures, data collection procedures (including measurement instruments and survey or experimental designs, if appropriate), and proposed methods of analysis.
Expected Significance: State what new knowledge or information is likely to be forthcoming and why it is important. State any practical applications expected as a result of the research.
Research Timeline: Provide a brief chronological plan for how you will complete your project by the April deadline. This is intended to help you think about how to plan your workload to complete the project by mid-April. In this section, you need to think about data collection and access issues (especially for students collecting their own data/those that will require Institutional Review Board approval. See more details here: https://www.irb.cornell.edu/faq/#gq3). You also should set targets for delivering drafts/updates to your advisor.
Attached to your proposal, you need to include a letter signed by your advisor confirming their ability to oversee your project and confirming that you have jointly agreed upon the application and timeline.

Honors Degree Requirements

B. Final Submission for Review and Approval Requirements:

Honors theses should be written in accordance with the formatting required for any standard journal within the appropriate field. Distinction in research is awarded upon approval of the research honors thesis by the committee. Both the results of the research and the methodology (or the logical argument by which the results were achieved) must be reported. Reviews of the literature, practical conclusions or applications, or broad characterizations of an area of inquiry may constitute part of the research report but are not themselves sufficient as research.

The committee recommends the submission of the thesis draft to the research advisor two months before graduation to permit sufficient time for revision.

Completed theses are due approximately one month before graduation, on the third Friday of April:

MAY Graduate Timeline

Academic Year 2023-2024
Final theses due 19 April 2024

One electronic copy of the final thesis (in pdf or Word format) should be sent by email to the Social Sciences program area faculty committee chair no later than the due date. A supporting letter from the faculty member supervising the work must be submitted either electronically or as a hard copy.

The thesis will be independently reviewed typically by the faculty committee members, and external reviewers where appropriate, within about two weeks. If further revisions are required, students will be informed and a revised draft will be requested.

Students may volunteer to publish their final, approved thesis at eCommons Cornell University Library, as long as doing so does not interfere with other plans, such as patenting or publishing in a professional journal. A permission form to allow a thesis to be made available online at Mann Library can be obtained from the honors committee chair.

We also recommend students to consult the following resources as they prepare their thesis drafts:

Off-Campus Opportunities

There are three approved channels for credit-bearing off-campus study:

Cornell credit earned at a CALS Exchange Partner institution abroad.
Credit earned through an approved, accredited university or study abroad program administered through the Office of Global Learning (prior course-specific approval required).
Credit earned in Cornell courses that require off-campus activity.

With the exception of the CALS Exchange programs, students who plan to enroll in courses at another institution should refer to the non-Cornell (transfer) credit policies.

Study Abroad and Other International Opportunities

Students attending Cornell Global Programs or CALS exchange programs during the fall or spring semester must:

be a registered, full-time student;
be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. Some programs may require a minimum of 3.0 GPA or higher;
apply by the stated deadlines;
apply for an approved program through the Office of Global Learning or the CALS Exchange Program. Students may petition to receive a one time recognition and permission to attend a non-approved university or study abroad program. There is no guarantee of an approval and all petitions will go through a review process by both the Office of Global Learning and CALS. Credit is not awarded retroactively after a return from a leave of absence during which you may have studied abroad independently;
receive approval on the “CALS Study Abroad/Exchange Participation and Course Approval Form” from their faculty advisor and/or designated department coordinator, and CALS Office of Student Services.

Programs Must:

be a CALS Exchange Program (college managed options); or
be a “CALS-approved” accredited university or study abroad program offered through the Office of Global Learning. Search the Experience Cornell: select “Global” under Category, and “Agriculture and Life Sciences” under the College/School filter on the left side of the screen in order to view CALS-approved opportunities;
be an approved accredited university or study abroad program by both the Office of Global Learning and CALS that has been given one-time recognition status through the official petition process.

Credits earned through Office of Global Learning programs count towards the 60 maximum transfer credits permitted; credits are limited to 15 credits per semester, 30 per academic year.

CALS Exchange program credits will return as institutional credits (Cornell credits) and students may earn more than 15 credits per semester. Students should consult with the CALS exchange/study abroad advisor for specific details.

Transfer students are able to participate in the same study abroad opportunities as all CALS students. For students with 45 or fewer transfer credits, studying abroad for a semester can fit into a Cornell degree quite seamlessly. However, students with more than 45 transfer credits should discuss their individual situation with a CALS study abroad/exchange advisor.

Other Opportunities:

Summer or winter study abroad – to return credits earned to Cornell, classes/internship credit must be approved prior to departing for the program by completing the Summer/Winter course approval form
Service-learning, and volunteering abroad
Research abroad
Faculty-Led Programs (usually affiliated with a Fall or Spring course)

*If you are an external transfer and studied abroad while at your former university, or an incoming first-year student who studied abroad at the university level prior to matriculation, you may be eligible to seek pre-matriculation study abroad (non-Cornell-transfer) credit.

CALS Global Fellows Program:

The CALS Global Fellows Program supports CALS undergraduate students from any CALS major in pursuit of challenging, professionally focused summer internships and research placements that enhance and complement their career goals and academic progress while enriching their undergraduate experience with diverse cultural and international immersion. Through key partnerships, the Global Fellows Program provides a platform for students to make positive and definable contributions to global organizations and communities.

Acceptance to the program is competitive and a limited number of students are selected each year.

More information regarding specific placement opportunities, eligibility, and how to apply can be found online.

Capital Semester

CALS offers the unique opportunity to help students explore careers in public service, public policy, politics, and government. Students intern directly for a Member of the New York State Assembly or New York State Senate in Albany. These programs are offered during the spring semester and are open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Policy interests may include, but are not limited to: Health Care; Environment; Agriculture; Energy; Science and Technology; Crime, Incarceration, and Justice; Social Sciences; Human Rights; Children and Families; Education; Taxation and Economic Policy; Labor; and Urban Planning.

This program offers a paid internship (stipend) in the New York State Legislature, earning a full semester of credits (12 credits). Students will enroll in ALS 3920 .

As part of either the Senate or Assembly, students learn through direct experience and formal instruction how the New York State Legislature functions. The Capital Semester Internship Program offers students a type of real-world experience. For full program details go to the Experience Cornell Pages for NYS Assembly or NYS Senate. Contact Zoe Nelson before applying at zmn2@cornell.edu.

Ithaca College Exchange Programs

The Cornell University–Ithaca College Exchange Program allows matriculated full-time students, with prior approval and within stated stipulations, to cross-register at the other institution during the fall and spring semesters only. A student must be enrolled in 12 academic credits at Cornell to remain in good academic standing. Ithaca College credits will be treated as non-Cornell (transfer) credits and reflected on the Cornell transcript as such. Cornell students are eligible to register only for Ithaca College courses that are applicable to their program and that do not duplicate Cornell courses. A student may take courses only if they are not offered at the home institution. (Schedule conflicts or unavailability of courses in a given semester do not constitute valid rationales for enrollment as an exchange student.)The School of Continuing Education website provides more information for those interested in this program. Please contact the School of Continuing Education for more information.

Students completing courses at Ithaca College for the Applied Exercise Science minor: available to all Division of Nutritional Science undergraduate majors. Contact dnsstudentservices@cornell.edu for further information.

Cornell in Washington

Cornell in Washington is a fall or spring semester, or summer, program in the heart of Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital. This unique experience offers students in all colleges an opportunity to earn full academic credit for a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. Students take part in small seminars led by Cornell faculty and gain work experience through an internship of their choosing. In the fall and spring semesters, students also have the chance to carry out individual research projects. Learn more about the Cornell in Washington Program.

Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML)

Cornell’s Shoals Marine Lab is the country’s largest undergraduate-focused marine field station, offering summer courses and internships on Appledore Island, Gulf of Maine, using the Isles of Shoals archipelago as its classroom. Students from any major can focus on coastal field work and experiential learning while living on the island! Courses fulfill many major and college distribution requirements. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Please refer to the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) website for a list of courses offered.

SHOALS SUMMER SEMESTER

The Shoals Semester program offers CALS students a chance to use their financial aid package to take a full semester’s worth of credit (12+) over the summer at Shoals Marine Laboratory. This option is especially useful for students in the Marine Biology major concentration or minor. Shoals provides students an opportunity to gain valuable training through hands-on, field-based courses that cover a wide variety of marine science-related topics. For more information, contact Academic Coordinator Dr. Eugene Won, or visit www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org to fill out an online inquiry form.

Special Studies

Several departments in the college offer independent study (4970), teaching assistantships (4980), and undergraduate research (4990) for academic credit. To ensure a fair and manageable system to deal with these specialty courses, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has set forth guidelines to serve as minimum requirements for a student to receive credit.

A Cornell CALS faculty member is directly involved in determining both the course content and in evaluating the student’s work. The experience should be purposeful, provide opportunities for reflection, present a continual challenge to the student, and incorporate active learning, with the student an active participant in all stages of the experience from planning to evaluation.
Before a student begins the independent study, research, or teaching assistantship:
- A learning contract should be written between the Cornell CALS faculty member responsible for grading and the student.
  - This contract should state the conditions of the work, assignments, supervision, learning goals, number of credits and methods of evaluation of the work.
  - Credit hours should be determined in accordance with Cornell’s credit hour policy and based upon number of hours of work per week.
Special Studies Research, Teaching, and Independent Study requests are submitted electronically. More information is available on the CALS website.
- Some departments may have their own form and/or course numbers.
Evaluation: Credit will only be assigned or accepted in cases where a Cornell faculty member is directly involved in determining both the special studies course content and in evaluating the student’s work.
Progress Updates: Students must keep the CALS faculty member responsible for grading updated on the progress of the special study.
Individual departments may add more requirements (including additional forms to complete) to the special study based on specific needs such as time constraints, faculty workloads, and the relationship of the special study to the goals of the department.
Students should further develop the experience based on the college Experiential Learning Criteria.

Internships

Several departments in the college offer supervised internships (4960) for academic credit. Students should consult with their major department prior to the start of an internship if they want credit. Internship Guidelines may be found on the CALS website under Internship. Credit is not awarded prior to matriculation.

Special Studies Internship requests are submitted electronically. More information is available on the CALS website.
Individual departments may add more requirements (including additional forms to complete) to the internship based on specific needs such as time constraints, faculty workloads, and the relationship of the internship to the goals of the department.

Pay and Credit for Undergraduate Research, Teaching, and Internships

Undergraduate Research: students can receive pay or credit, but not both. They can partition it so that they receive pay for part of the research and credit for the other as long as the work does not overlap.

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant: students can receive either pay or credit, but not both.

Internships: students may receive both pay and credit for the same internship experience.

Certificate Programs

Horticulture Distance Learning

These courses feature practical, hands-on activities because we believe learning by doing is key to any successful online horticulture course. These are non-accredited courses for non-matriculated adult learners, which culminate in a certificate of participation (not a degree or certification). Participants register for enjoyment, to strengthen a skill set, or to inform new directions in their lives.

Permaculture Design 1: Fundamentals of Ecological Design

October 16, 2023 - December 1, 2023

January 15, 2024 - February 23, 2024

About the course: his 6.5-week online course provides an opportunity for you to build your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Permaculture gardens, farms, and backyards balance the provision of human needs with improvement of local ecosystem health. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete portions of design for a site of their choosing.

Writing and reflection are key elements of processing information and the instructor will take an active role by providing feedback on your assignments and journal entries. Students also have the opportunity to learn from one another through an open forum in which you can share your ideas with others.

The purpose of this course is to examine the basics of permaculture design and understand the potential for ecological design on a multitude of scales and contexts. Students will learn the foundational ethics, principles, and planning tools to design ecological sites in the context of their local ecosystem and future environmental change (climate change).

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Permaculture Design 2: Ecosystem Mimicry

January 15, 2024 - February 23, 2024

The purpose of this second permaculture course in the series is to further cultivate ecological literacy by looking at the complex symbiotic relationships in both natural and cultivated systems. Students will explore and apply systems thinking to their own gardens, farms, and backyards.

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Permaculture Design 3: Practicum

March 11, 2024 – April 12, 2024

About the course: his course provides an opportunity for you to build your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Permaculture gardens, farms, and backyards balance the provision of human needs with improvement of local ecosystem health. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete portions of design for a site of their choosing.

The purpose of this final course in the permaculture series is to apply principles and ecosystem understanding to the permaculture design process. Students will engage in a personal design project of their choosing and walk through the steps to complete a meaningful landscape plan including design concepts, budget details, and strategies for implementation.