Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Overview of the Major

The Cornell chemistry major combines rigor with flexibility, allowing students to explore chemistry and related fields while preparing them for a wide range of careers and professions. The Cornell chemistry major offers multiple routes to earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. The two most commonly followed routes are shown below. See The Major in Detail section for a more thorough explanation of the multiple ways to complete the chemistry major. Students who earned a sufficiently high score on the AP (Advanced Placement & Advanced Standing ) chemistry exam may take CHEM 2150  and begin on the accelerated track.

Standard track

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

Accelerated track

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

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

Admission to the Major

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

• Introductory Chemistry: CHEM 2070  & CHEM 2080  or CHEM 2150  
• Organic Chemistry CHEM 3570  or CHEM 3590  
• Mathematics: MATH 1110  
• Physics: PHYS 2207  or PHYS 1112  

It is expected that students will have earned a C or better in these courses. Students with a grade of C– or lower in one of these required courses may be considered for admission to the major after they have completed additional coursework (typically one semester) satisfactorily. Students who are second-term sophomores or beyond who have completed all but one of these requirements may also be admitted to the major provided that they have a plan for completing the requirements for the major on schedule. To apply to the major, please follow the directions given at: chemistry.cornell.edu/undergraduate.

The Major in Detail

The chemistry major requires a total of 60 credits in chemistry and related subjects.* These 60 credits must include the set of core courses listed below, together with a total of 8 credits of laboratory beyond general chemistry. Credit awarded by Cornell for scores on the CEEB Advanced Placement tests in chemistry, calculus, and physics may be substituted for the appropriate core courses. Outside of the core courses, the remainder of the 60 credits must be chosen from the elective courses designated below. These elective courses are selected from a variety of disciplines related to chemistry. Core courses and electives linked by “or” indicate that only one choice can be selected.

Many combinations of courses may be used to build the 60-credit chemistry major. For example, students wishing to focus on chemical biology may choose electives from the chemical biology courses offered in our department and from courses in other departments listed under Biology and Biochemistry. Students choosing to emphasize materials chemistry may choose electives from graduate level chemistry courses listed under Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic and Polymer Chemistry, as well as from courses listed under Materials Science and Engineering. Those with an interest in science policy might choose courses listed under Science and Society, and those focusing at the interface between chemistry and physics can choose from graduate level courses in physical chemistry or from courses listed under Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics. The wide selection of designated electives permits chemistry majors to add both depth and breadth to their curriculum and to construct a degree that best suits their future plans.

*Students graduating in the class of 2025, 2026, or 2027 will need a total of 57 credits in chemistry and related subjects.

Independent Research

Chemistry majors are encouraged to participate in independent research through CHEM 4210 , CHEM 4330 , CHEM 4430 , CHEM 4610 , or CHEM 4770 . These courses provide academic credit for research carried out in the laboratory of a departmental faculty member or in the laboratory of a faculty member in another department who is a member of the graduate field of chemistry. Students interested in starting a research project should contact potential faculty research supervisors to identify an advisor with an open position.

Latin Honors

Any student following the Honors curriculum in chemistry who has earned an overall Cornell GPA of 3.30 or higher by the end of the penultimate semester will be awarded the A. B. with honors (cum laude).

Senior chemistry majors with superior grades in chemistry and related subjects, who have selected a rigorous group of courses, and who have demonstrated excellent performance in at least four credits (or the equivalent) of undergraduate research in chemistry or a related field may be nominated to participate in CHEM 4980 , the Honors Seminar, by their research advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies. To ensure that the nomination process runs smoothly, all students who are interested in the Honors Seminar should discuss this possibility with their faculty advisor early in the Fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the Honors Seminar is by invitation only, or by permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students participating in CHEM 4980  attend lectures on a variety of topics not covered in conventional courses and present their research in a paper and in a seminar. Successful completion of CHEM 4980  leads to the A. B. with honors (cum laude) or high honors (magna cum laude, summa cum laude).

Laboratory Course Regulations

Students and members of the teaching staff are required to wear safety goggles and lab aprons in all chemistry laboratories. Closed-toed footwear is required; no sandals are allowed.  Students will be issued safety goggles and a lab apron their first day of lab. Students are reminded to bring their goggles and lab aprons with them to every subsequent laboratory session. Those who fail to cooperate with the safety program will be asked to leave the laboratory.

Students in first semester general chemistry courses (CHEM 1560 , CHEM 2070 , CHEM 2090 , and CHEM 2150 ) are charged a mandatory laboratory fee and will be provided with safety goggles and lab aprons at their first laboratory session.

Students in CHEM 2080  who did not take a first semester general chemistry course at Cornell (i.e., advanced or transfer credit was used) are charged a mandatory laboratory fee and will be provided with safety goggles and lab aprons at their first laboratory session.

Students in organic labs (CHEM 2510  and CHEM 3010 ) and advanced labs (CHEM 2900 , CHEM 3020  and CHEM 3030 ) are required to provide their own safety goggles and lab aprons. No laboratory fees are charged for these courses. However, students in CHEM 2510  and CHEM 3010  are required to pay for glassware and any other items broken during the semester as well as for any items broken or missing from their laboratory desks at the end of the semester. Students who fail to inventory their desks at the appointed time in the presence of their instructor are charged an abandoned desk fee in addition to charges to replace any broken or missing items.