Cross-college Majors
Several majors are hosted in 2 or even 3 colleges and have their own advising offices designed to assist all students focusing on that particular area of study.
Biological Sciences
The Office of Undergraduate Biology, located at 216 Stimson Hall, provides comprehensive, academic, career, and research advising and programming to current and prospective students in the biological sciences major. Biological sciences majors are enrolled in either the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or the College of Arts and Sciences. The requirements of the major itself are identical in both colleges, although the individual requirements of the two colleges will result in biological sciences majors taking somewhat different overall undergraduate programs.
The OUB’s primary mission is to serve the diverse needs of our ~1200 undergraduate students while ensuring they successfully navigate the curriculum, engage in meaningful co-curricular opportunities, achieve their academic potential, and pursue their career aspirations. We strive to create an inclusive environment that fosters holistic well-being, self-authorship, intellectual curiosity, individual responsibility, and leadership development in every student.
Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with an OUB advisor using our online scheduling tool. If a student is unable to find an appointment that fits their schedule, please email bioadvising@cornell.edu or call 607-255-5233 to find an alternative meeting time. Students are also encouraged to visit the OUB Student Advisors who hold office hours in 216 Stimson Hall Monday-Friday.
Biology & Society
The Biology & Society major is offered to students in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Biology & Society Office, located in 303 Morrill Hall, supports the needs of students from both colleges by providing guidance on application procedures and course requirements. 70 faculty members serve as faculty advisors to Biology & Society students, helping to determine possible paths through the multiple disciplines that comprise the major.
Every student who wants to join the Biology & Society major must submit an application during their sophomore year. Interested students should review major requirements and address any questions to the Biology & Society contacts below.
Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Professor Jessica Ratcliff (jrr47@cornell.edu)
Undergraduate Coordinator:
David Ryan (dwr28@cornell.edu)
CALS Advising Coordinator:
Professor, Randy Wayne (row1@cornell.edu)
Biological & Environmental Engineering
The Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) offers bachelor degree programs in environmental engineering and biological engineering. Graduates receive a joint degree from Cornell University’s College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The major's unique focus to design and develop processes, products and systems using basic biological, environmental science and engineering tools generates solutions to societal problems involving water, food, energy and public health. Students increasingly need to participate in problem-solving across traditional boundaries. Rapid technological changes are an added challenge, with implications driven by diminishing resources and a growing population. We aim to enable our students to drive innovation as our discipline continues to be transformed by our changing world.
The Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Student Services Coordinator are in Riley-Robb Hall and can be reached by email: bee-ugrad@cornell.edu or by calling at 607-255-2173.
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
The Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) major, available to students in the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Arts & Sciences, and Engineering, is a diverse community dedicated to providing excellence in research, teaching, advising, and outreach. EAS’s faculty, staff, and graduate students seek to foster leaders in science, working with undergraduates to advance fundamental research to understand human impacts on our planet and provide technologies and solutions for the future.
The EAS main office is located in 2160 Snee Hall, and students are encouraged to contact:
Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Professor Bruce Monger (bcm3@cornell.edu)
Undergraduate Coordinator:
Annmarie Card (ac2666@cornell.edu)
Environment & Sustainability
The Environment & Sustainability major, located in 117 Kennedy Hall, spans perspectives needed to build a world with more sustainable environmental conditions. As a cross-college major in CALS and Arts & Sciences, we bring together students and faculty with diverse skills and common purpose. Experiences on-campus and throughout the world emphasize active, engaged and experiential learning. Core courses provide fundamental understanding of environment and sustainability issues. Six concentrations provide depth in environmental science and environmental studies perspectives.
Students can schedule an appointment with an E&S staff member on Chatter. If a student is unable to find an appointment that fits their schedule, please email environment@cornell.edu or call 607-255-8055 to find an alternative meeting time. Students are also encouraged to come to our drop-in hours which are listed at the bottom of the "About" page on our website.