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In the College of Engineering .
Undergraduate Study
Students in the College of Engineering spend most of their first two years of undergraduate studies in the Common Curriculum, which is administered by the College Curriculum Governing Board (CCGB) through the associate dean for undergraduate programs and Engineering Advising. By the end of their third semester, they typically apply to affiliate with one of the following majors and must be affiliated by the start of their fifth semester.
- Biological Engineering (BE)†
- Biomedical Engineering (BME)
- Chemical Engineering (ChemE)
- Civil Engineering (CE)
- Computer Science (CS)
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
- Engineering Physics (EP)
- Environmental Engineering (EnvE)†
- Independent Major (IM)
- Information Science, Systems, and Technology (ISST)—with options in information science and management science
- Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
- Mechanical Engineering (ME)
- Operations Research and Engineering (ORE)
Criteria for affiliation with the majors are described under Affiliation with a Major. The majors are described under Undergraduate Engineering Majors .
Most of the majors have a corresponding minor, in which the student can pursue a secondary interest if eligible. In addition, there are minors that cross majors including applied mathematics, civil infrastructure, engineering management, engineering statistics, game design, industrial systems and information technology, information science, and business. See the main section, Engineering Minors .
*The majors biological engineering(BE), chemical engineering(ChemE), civil engineering(CE), electrical and computer engineering(ECE), environmental engineering(ENVE), materials science and engineering(MSE), and mechanical engineering(ME) are accredited by ABET.
†Students may major in biological engineering and environmental engineering through the College of Engineering or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Students who do so through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are jointly administered by the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
While there is no undergraduate major in nuclear science and engineering, students who intend to enter graduate programs in this area are encouraged to begin specialization at the undergraduate level. This may be done by choice of electives within several related majors including engineering physics, materials science and engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, and the independent major.
Engineering Core Requirements - Engineering Major
Engineering Majors
To receive the bachelor of science degree, students must meet the requirements of the Common Curriculum (outlined below) as set forth by the College of Engineering, including the requirements of their chosen major, as established by the school or department that administers the major. (Further explanation of the revised Common Curriculum and major flow charts are provided in the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.)
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Course Category
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Credits
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- Mathematics (major-specific)
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14-16
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- Physics (major-specific)
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8–13
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- Chemistry (major-specific)
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4–8
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- First-year writing seminars
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≥6
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- Engineering Communication*
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1-3
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- Computing
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4
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- Engineering Distribution
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a. One introduction to engineering (ENGRI)
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3-4
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b. Two engineering distributions (ENGRD)
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6–8
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- Liberal studies distribution (6 courses min.)
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≥ 18
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- Advisor Approved electives
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≥6
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- Major program
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a. Major-required courses
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≥ 30
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b. Major-approved electives
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≥9
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c. Courses outside the major
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≥9
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- Two semesters of physical education and demonstration of proficiency in swimming (university requirement)
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Total credits required for graduation vary by major (see Engineering Majors ).
*Engineering-communication courses may simultaneously fulfill another requirement.
Mathematics:
The normal program in mathematics includes MATH 1910 , MATH 1920 , MATH 2930 or MATH 2940 (depending on the major), and a major-specific math course for some majors. At least C– must be attained in these courses; if not, the course must be repeated immediately before the next course in the sequence is taken. Failure to achieve at least C– the second time will result in, at minimum, an automatic required leave of absence for one semester from the College of Engineering. Courses that are taken a second time do not yield additional credit toward a degree.
Chemistry:
CHEM 2090 is required. While the content of CHEM 2090 is the same as that of CHEM 2070 , Engineering students are expected to take CHEM 2090 .
Typically, CHEM 2090 is taken during the first year, but students who wish to complete the physics program (PHYS 1112 , PHYS 1110 , PHYS 2213 , and PHYS 2214 ) first may postpone CHEM 2090 until the sophomore year.
Students considering chemical engineering or a health-related career such as medicine must take CHEM 2090 in the fall of their first year and CHEM 2080 in the spring semester.
Computing:
Students must complete one Introduction to Computing course during either semester of the first year. Students can take either CS 1110 or CS 1112 . Some majors may have a preference of either CS 1110 or CS 1112 , however, either one will count toward the degree requirement.
First-Year Writing Seminars:
Each semester of their first year, students choose a first-year writing seminar from courses offered by over 30 different departments across the university. These courses offer the student practice in writing English prose and college level discourse within a small class(<20) setting.
CATEGORY A: Via the Engineering Communications Program Courses and Opportunities
1. Engineering Communication Program Courses
Courses in this category, offered by the Engineering Communications Program (ECP), develop communication skills in a variety of genres, including writing, presenting, multimodal forms, graphics, charts, posters, and other. These courses fulfill the Engineering Communication Requirement for Cornell’s College of Engineering.
2. Complete a Communication-Intensive Co-op, listed as ENGRC 3024
This is an opportunity to combine work and academics. Some co-op students do a significant amount of writing and other communicative work on the job; under certain circumstances, a set of authentic work artifacts combined with on-site manager reviews and guide, reflective summary assignments with an ECP instructor will satisfy the Engineering Communications Requirement. This option does not count toward the Liberal Studies requirements for engineers. Students should begin organizing this request the semester prior to being on-site for the co-op or internship. Not offered AY 2024-2025.
3. Enroll in and pass ENGRC 3023
A one credit attachment to an engineering course that is not one of the officially designated W-I or C-I courses. CE instructors may occasionally wish to extend communication competencies with added work inside their course for a given semester so that it will fulfill the Engineering Communications Requirement. With approval from the College Curriculum Governing Board (CCGB) Subcommittee on Engineering Communications, instructors may have students co-register in ENGRC 3023 , which may be taken more than once with different courses by permission of the engineering instructors. This option does not count toward the Liberal Studies requirement for engineers, even via petition.
To begin, send an email to engrcomm_info@cornell.edu, requesting the full ENGRC 3023 information packet to begin. Please insert “3023 request” in the subject line.
Paperwork is due by the first day of Add/Drop for the semester you are applying for.
4. Complete and Pass a One Credit Partner Course
The current options are below, and they require enrollment in the departmental course (usually three credits) and its corresponding ENRGRC course (one credit). The below courses do not count toward the Liberal Studies requirement for engineers, even via petition:
5. Apply for ENGRC 3341: Guided Fieldwork in Engineering Communications (formerly known as ECR Petition)
Occasionally, a student will be doing a significant amount and variety of engineering or technical communication elsewhere in the College of Engineering, usually as part of a research team, as part of leadership in a project team, and the like. It may be appropriate to petition the CCGB’s Subcommittee on Engineering Communications for permission to use as ENGRC 3341 as an option for upcoming projects (not past ones) to meet the Engineering Communications Requirement.
It is essential for students and their mentoring Engineering faculty to prepare well in advance for this option. Request the information packet and form by emailing engrcomm_info@cornell.edu with “3341 request” in the subject line.
Paperwork is due by the first day of Add/Drop for the semester you are applying for.
CATEGORY B: Via Other Paths
1. Take an officially designated Writing-Intensive (W-I) or Communication-Intensive (C-I) engineering course.
Note: The following course list is not comprehensive, as different engineering departments may offer W-I or C-I courses on an ad-hoc basis. Indeed, these offerings can change each semester. Students need to check with their major advisors each semester to confirm if a course will fulfill the Engineering Communications Requirement; curriculum approvals are made by each major via CCGB approval. W-I or C-I courses are based in a major, as part of that major’s regular core offerings to its declared/affiliated undergraduate majors. This option does not count toward the Liberal Studies requirement for engineers, even via petition. See also the CE Undergraduate Handbook.
It’s important to note that these options usually only fulfill the Engineering Communications Requirement for their own majors. Students, advisors, and departments need to cross check against each student’s major requirements for graduation. The Engineering Communications Program does not control, monitor, or assess for these courses. This option does not count toward the Liberal Studies requirement for engineers, even via petition.
2. Enroll in and Pass COMM 3020
Enroll in and pass COMM 3020 , taught by the Department of Communication (in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences). The Engineering Communications Program does not control, monitor, or assess for these courses. This option does not count toward the Liberal Studies requirement for engineers, even via petition. See also the CE Undergraduate Handbook.
Introduction-to-Engineering Course:
An introduction-to-engineering course (designated ENGRI) is expected to be completed by the end of a student’s first year. This course introduces students to the engineering process and provides a substantive experience in an open-ended problem-solving context. See the Introduction-to-Engineering course listing for current course offerings.
Engineering Distribution:
Two engineering distribution (ENGRD) courses (6–8 credits) must be selected from two different categories listed below. A student may use any one of the possible substitutions described. 4. Probability and statistics:
6. Thermodynamics and energy balances:
7. Earth and life sciences:
8. Biology and chemistry:
Additional Information:
Some majors may require completion of 9 specific engineering distribution courses for affiliation (acceptance into the major), or as a prerequisite for upper-class courses. For complete information, please see Affiliation with a Major and the flow charts for each major in the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.
Note: Some majors require additional distribution courses after affiliation.
Liberal Studies Distribution:
Global and diverse societies require that engineers have an awareness of historical patterns, an appreciation for different cultures, professional ethics, the ability to work in multifaceted groups, and superior communication skills. Cornell has a rich curriculum in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, enabling every engineering student to obtain a truly liberal education. The rationale for these distribution courses is discussed in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook and these courses should be chosen with as much care and foresight as courses from technical areas.
Requirements:
- At least six courses (totaling at least 18 credits)
- The six courses must be chosen from the categories listed and come from at least three different groups outlined in the following section
- No more than two courses may be chosen from Group 6 (CE)
- At least two courses must be at the 2000 level or higher
The categories outlined in the previous section of this handbook have been organized into six Groups based on common themes in content. Those Groups are as follows:
Group 1. Cultural Analysis, Literature and the Arts, Social Differences
- Cultural Analysis (CA)
- Literature and the Arts (LA)
- Literature, the Arts and Design (LAD)
- Arts, Literature, and Culture (ALC)
- Social Difference (SCD)
Group 2. Historical Analysis
- Historical Analysis (HA/ HST)
Group 3. Ethics, Cognition, and Moral Reasoning
- Knowledge, Cognition, and Moral Reasoning (KCM)
- Ethics and the Mind (ETM)
Group 4. Social Science and Global Citizenship
- Social and Behavioral Analysis (SBA)
- Social Sciences (SSC)
- Global Citizenship (GLC)
Group 5. Foreign Languages (not literature courses) (FL)
- Courses teaching language skills, inclusive of reading, writing, listening, and spoken non-English languages, at beginning to advanced levels.
Group 6. Communications in Engineering (CE)
- Engineering specific courses exploring communication as a way of acting in the world
- Courses must be specifically designated by CCGB as satisfying the CE category (no petitions)
- No more than two courses from this category may be used to satisfy the liberal studies requirement
Students should utilize the current Courses of Study as the master list of approved liberal studies courses. Refer to Cornell Engineering Advising’s Liberal Studies Policies webpage for complete lists of additional approved courses and unacceptable courses. Please direct any questions to Engineering Advising, 180 Rhodes Hall.
Electives:
- Advisor-Approved electives: 6 credits required (approved by the faculty advisor*). Because these courses should help develop and broaden the skills of the engineer, faculty advisors generally accept the following as approved electives (as long as they are not being used elsewhere toward degree requirements):
- One additional introduction-to-engineering course (ENGRI)
- Engineering distribution courses
- Courses stressing written or oral communication
- Upper-level engineering courses
- Advanced courses in mathematics
- Rigorous courses in the biological and physical sciences
- Courses in business, economics, or language (when they serve the student’s educational and academic objectives)
- Courses that expand the major or another part of the curriculum, including liberal studies electives not already being used toward the Liberal Studies Distribution requirement.
- Up to 6 credits of approved electives may come from ROTC courses at the 3000-level or higher.
* In the event a student and their faculty advisor disagree regarding the suitability of an approved elective, the student may appeal the decision to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Associate Director) for their major department or to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.
- Major-approved electives: 9 credits (approved by the major and faculty advisors in the major). Refer to the major curricula for descriptions of courses in this category.
- Outside-the-major electives: 9 credits of courses outside the major to ensure breadth of engineering studies; these courses may be subject to major specific requirements for appropriateness.
Social Issues of Technology:
It is important for engineers to realize the social and ethical implications of their work. Consequently, in selecting their liberal studies distribution courses and approved electives, students are urged to consider courses listed in the “Science and Technology Studies ” undergraduate area of concentration. These courses may provide students with important perspectives on their studies and their future careers.
First-Year Requirements
During the first year, engineering students are expected to complete (or receive credit for) the following core requirements:
*Students interested in chemical engineering, pre-med, or other health-related careers should enroll in the CHEM 2080 - CHEM 2090 sequence during their first year.
*Students interested in biomedical engineering should additionally complete BIOMG 1350 during the first year.
Affiliation with a Major
Students are encouraged to apply for affiliation with a major during the first semester of their sophomore year, although earlier affiliation may be granted at the discretion of the major. This is done by completing the Application for Major Affiliation via the Engineering Registrar’s website. To affiliate, students must (1) make good progress toward completing required courses in the common curriculum, (2) have a GPA ≥ 2.0, and (3) have satisfied the major’s course and grade requirements as specified below:
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Courses and Minimum Grade Requirements |
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Biological Engineering
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Minimum GPA > 2.5 and at most one grade below C– in PHYS and CHEM, CS 1110 and CS 1112 plus ENGRI and ENGRD courses. Completion of BEE 2600 /ENGRD 2600 (or ENGRD 2510 ) with a C– or better and one year of intro biology with a C– or better. No more than two credits of research/project team and two credits of arts performance courses will count toward the cumulative GPA.
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Biomedical Engineering
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Completion of BIOMG 1350 with a grade of at least C- or a score of 5 on the CEEB AP Exam (or equivalent). BIOG 1440 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement for students entering Fall 2017 and after.
Designated to be completed for affiliation by the beginning of the 4th semester: MATH 1910 , MATH 1920 , MATH 2930 , PHYS 1112 , PHYS 1110 , PHYS 2213 , CHEM 2090 , ENGRD 2202 , any ENGRI, CS 111X. Additional designated courses to be completed for affiliation by the beginning of the 5th semester: MATH 2940 , ENGRD 2020 , BME 2110 , BME 2010 .
Minimum GPA of 2.4 in designated courses completed with no grades below C-. Research/project team credit does not apply to this GPA. For any course that is repeated, the higher of the two grades will be used for the GPA calculation.
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| Chemical Engineering |
At most one grade below C– in chemistry, math, physics, and chemical engineering courses. GPA ≥ 2.2 in math, science, and engineering courses (except independent study, seminar, research, or project teams). Visit the CHEME undergraduate website for additional details. |
| Civil Engineering |
GPA ≥ 2.0 in all engineering and science courses. At least C in ENGRD 2020 . |
| Computer Science |
For students who entered Cornell prior to 2023: at least C (not C-) in all completed CS and math courses. GPA ≥ 2.5 between CS 2110 , (or CS 2112 ) and CS 2800 (or CS 2802 ). GPA ≥ 2.5 between MATH 1920 and CS 2800 or (CS 2802 ). Visit the CS undergraduate web site for alternative affiliation criteria.
For students who entered Cornell 2023 and after: At least C (not C-) in all completed CS and math courses. GPA ≥ 2.5 between CS 2110 , (or CS 2112 ) and CS 2800 (or CS 2802 ). GPA ≥ 2.3 between MATH 1920 and any other completed critical math course(s). Visit the CS undergraduate web site for alternative affiliation criteria.
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| Earth and Atmospheric Sciences |
At least C– in all completed required courses. GPA ≥ 2.0. Good academic standing in the College of Engineering. |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering |
At least C+ in MATH 2930 or MATH 2940 , PHYS 2213 , and one of ECE 2100 /ENGRD 2100 , ECE 2720 /ENGRD 2720 or ECE 2300 /ENGRD 2300 . Must have a GPA ≥ 2.5 in (if completed): MATH 1920 , MATH 2930 , MATH 2940 , PHYS 2213 , ENGRD 2110 , ECE 2400 /ENGRD 2140 , ECE 2300 /ENGRD 2300 , ECE 2100 /ENGRD 2100 , ECE 2720 /ENGRD 2720 . |
| Engineering Physics |
At least B– in all required math and physics courses (MATH 1910 , MATH 1920 , MATH 2930 , MATH 2940 , PHYS 1110 , PHYS 1112 /PHYS 1116 , PHYS 1110 , PHYS 2213 /PHYS 2217 , PHYS 2214 /PHYS 2218 and PHYS 2210 ). |
| Environmental Engineering |
GPA ≥ 2.0 in all math, science, and engineering courses. At least C– in BEE 2510 /ENGRD 2510 . |
| Independent Major |
Must have satisfied the engineering unaffiliated good standing requirements. Good standing for at least 3 semesters with not more than one grade below C each semester in math, science and engineering courses. Students must submit, and receive approval for, a proposed program including endorsement from advisors for a primary and secondary area. See the IM program description for specific requirements and deadlines. |
| Information Science Systems, and Technology |
At least C in two of MATH 2940 , CS 2110 , and ENGRD 2700 . Courses must be taken at Cornell and for a letter grade. GPA ≥ 2.5 in completed engineering math, engineering distribution, and ISST major courses, which must be taken at Cornell. For a repeated course, the most recent grade will be used. |
| Materials Science and Engineering |
On track to complete by the end of the fourth semester the following required courses, and completion of at least 24 credits from these courses, when applying for affiliation: MATH 1910 ,MATH 1920 , MATH 2930 , MATH 2940 (all with a minimum grade of C), PHYS 1110 , PHYS 1112 /PHYS 1116 , PHYS 2213 /PHYS 2213 ), CHEM 2090 , and CS 1110 /CS 1112 .
Additionally, cumulative GPA ≥2.0 in the completed required math, physics, and chemistry courses (including MSE 3010 if taken) and at least C in ENGRD 2610 or ENGRD 2620 .
For any course that is repeated, the most recent grade will be used for affiliation requirements. However, repeated grades will be included for GPA calculations.
Students who will not satisfy these requirements by the end of the fourth semester should contact the MSE department about alternative paths to affiliation.
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| Mechanical Engineering |
At least C– in ENGRD 2020 and all completed required math, science, and computer science courses. ENGRD 2210 is recommended prior to affiliation. GPA > 2.5 in these courses: ENGRD 2210 (if taken), MATH 2930 , PHYS 2213 , and ENGRD 2020 . |
| Operations Research and Engineering |
At least C in each of ENGRD 2700 and MATH 2940 . GPA ≥ 2.2 in math, science, and engineering courses (both overall and in the term immediately before affiliation). At least C– in all ORIE courses completed thus far. Good academic standing in the College of Engineering. |
Students must be affiliated or conditionally affiliated with a major by the beginning of their fifth semester or they will be withdrawn from the College of Engineering.
Honors Program within Majors
Many of the engineering majors supplement the major with an honors program.
Eligibility
The B.S. degree with honors is granted to engineering students who, in addition to having completed the requirements for a B.S. degree in a major, satisfactorily complete the honors program in the major and are recommended for the degree by the honors committee of that major. To enter an honors program, the student must be on track to graduate with distinction, and a student who does not stay on track to graduate with distinction is will be dropped from the honors program.
At least 9 extra credit hours are required for the honors degree, and a student must be in the program for at least two semesters before graduation. Courses taken to satisfy the honors requirement may not be used to satisfy any other B.S. degree requirements.
No research, independent study, or teaching for which the student is paid may be counted toward the honors program.
Procedures
An applicant to the honors program in a major must have an honors advisor: a faculty member from that major who will supervise the honors program and direct any research or project. The honors advisor need not be the student’s advisor in the major.
The application for the honors program should be a letter from the student that describes the proposed honors program in detail and includes the explicit approval of the honors advisor.
Students must complete a written application no later than the beginning of the first semester of their senior year, but they are encouraged to make arrangements with the honors advisor during the second semester of their junior year. Each major may place further constraints on timing.
Major-Specific Information
Each major defines the content of the honors program and may also place other requirements on the program, in terms of timing, content, and procedures. Information is given within the description of the individual majors.
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