Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Honors in Chemistry

Any student who completes the requirements for a standard major in chemistry by the end of their penultimate semester at Cornell with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher shall be awarded a degree with honors (cum laude).

In addition, senior chemistry majors who have superior grades in chemistry and related subjects and who have had good performance in at least four credits of undergraduate research (or the equivalent) in chemistry or a related field (e.g., biochemistry) may be nominated for the Honors Program. To ensure that the nomination process runs smoothly, all students who are interested in the Honors Program should discuss this possibility with their advisor early in the Fall semester of the senior year. Admission to the Honors Program is by invitation only. Students completing the alternative major are eligible for the Honors Program only in exceptional cases.

Students in the Honors Program participate in the honors seminar (CHEM 4980) and write a senior thesis. The successful completion of the Honors Program leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with honors or high honors in chemistry.

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