Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Alternative Chemistry Major

The alternative major offers a flexible program of study primarily designed for students who intend to double major in another field. For example, students majoring in biology can complete the alternative major with little additional classwork. This course is also attractive for students interested in law (especially patent law), as a double major in government or economics plus chemistry is quite feasible. This program is not suited to further graduate work in chemistry. With few exceptions, students in the alternative major are not chosen to participate in the Honors Program in chemistry.

The Overview of the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum provides a visual comparison of the coursework for the standard and alternative majors. Either version of the major can be completed in three years of study. Most students, however, complete all of the requirements in their first three years of study with the exception of 4100 (Inorganic Chemistry), which is taken in the senior year. A typical course sequence is:
1st year: General chemistry and math
2nd year: Organic chemistry, organic chemistry lab, physics
3rd year: Physical chemistry, physical chemistry lab
4th year: Inorganic chemistry

Alternative Major Requirements

• Introductory Chemistry: 2070 + 2080 or 2150. Students may not receive credit for both 2080 and 2150 because of overlapping content.
• Organic Chemistry: 1570 (3590 + 3600 or 3570 + 3580 can be substituted. The second semester course would then fulfill the advanced chemistry course requirement.)
• Physical Chemistry: 2870 (3890 + 3900 can be substituted. The second semester course would then fulfill the advanced chemistry course requirement.)
• Inorganic Chemistry: 4100
• Experimental Chemistry: 2510 and 2900 (3010 can be substituted for 2510.)
• Advanced Chem. Course: In addition to the required courses, alternative majors must complete one additional 3- or 4-credit course in chemistry at the 3000-level or above
• Mathematics: 1110 + (1120 or 1220) or 1910
• Physics: 2207 + 2208 or 1112 + 2213 (1101 +1102 is not acceptable)
• Additional Courses: Three additional courses, of 3 or more credits each, that form a cohesive unit and are not at the introductory level. These three courses must be approved by a departmental committee. (See the application for the alternative major.)
• The three additional courses may be in another field of study, such as biochemistry, physics, biology, materials science, economics, government or education. Many students who double major use courses from their second major to satisfy this requirement.
• Like the standard majors, many alternative majors perform independent research, either in the chemistry department or in another department.

Contact Information 

Office of Undergraduate Studies
131 Baker Laboratory
Hours: M-F 8am -4:30pm

Undergraduate Program Administrator
Pat Hine
pah3@cornell.edu
607-255-5287

Undergraduate Program Coordinator
Christine Ward
cmz32@cornell.edu
607-255-5287