The Chemistry Major
Core Requirements |
General Chemistry |
| CHEM 2070 + 2071 and CHEM 2080 + 2081 |
| or CHEM 2150 |
| Enrollment in CHEM 2150 requires a 5 on the Chemistry Advanced Placement Exam, a 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Chemistry Exam, or permission of instructor. Students can complete the standard General Chemistry sequence and still pursue Honors in Chemistry. |
Organic Chemistry |
| CHEM 3570 and CHEM 3580 |
| or CHEM 3590 and CHEM 3600 |
| Students can complete the standard organic chemistry sequence and still pursue Honors in Chemistry. |
Physical Chemistry |
| CHEM 3870 and CHEM 3880 |
| or CHEM 3890 and CHEM 3900 |
| CHEM 3890+3900 requires completion of a one semester Multivariable Calculus or Linear Algebra pre-requisite before enrolling in CHEM 3890. Students graduating prior to December 2027 are not required to complete two semesters of physical chemistry. CHEM 3870+3880 does not satisfy requirements for Honors in Chemistry. |
Inorganic Chemistry |
| CHEM 4100 |
Core Laboratories |
| CHEM 2510 |
| and CHEM 2900 or CHEM 3030 |
| Eight (8) laboratory credits are required for completion of the major. Independent research does not for laboratory credit. Students can satisfy this requirement by completing the core organic and physical laboratories plus one or more approved laboratory electives. |
Mathematics |
| MATH 1110 and MATH 1120 |
| or 4 AP credits and MATH 1910 |
| Students may use AP or Math CASE credit to substitute one or more of the courses listed above. |
Physics |
| PHYS 2207 and PHYS 2208 |
| or PHYS 1112 and PHYS 2213 |
| or PHYS 1116 and PHYS 2217 |
| Students may use AP or Physics CASE credit to substitute one or more of the courses listed above. PHYS 1102 and PHYS 1102 do not satisfy completion of the program's Physics requirement. |
Electives |
| Click here for the list of approved electives. |
| One or more credits of approved laboratory electives. |
| A maximum of four (4) approved research elective credits (e.g. CHEM 4610, 4770, etc) may be applied toward completion of the major. |
Total Credits (Core + Math & Physics + Electives) |
| If graduating before December 2027: 57 approved credits |
| If graduating December 2027 and beyond: 60 approved credits |
Honors in Chemistry
Chemistry majors who successfully complete all required honors-level courses with a Chemistry GPA ≥ 3.3 at the time of degree conferral are eligible to receive Honors in Chemistry.
| Requirements: | |
|---|---|
| One semester of multivariable calculus or linear algebra before taking Honors Physical Chemistry I | MATH 1920, 2220, 2210, 2310, or 2940 |
| Honors Physical Chemistry I & II | CHEM 3890 and CHEM 3900 |
Honors Experimental Laboratories Experimental laboratories can be taken out of sequence | CHEM 3010 and CHEM 3020 and CHEM 3030 |
The Honors Capstone A research-intensive seminar for juniors and seniors majoring in chemistry (see below) | CHEM 4980 |
Chemistry GPA The Chemistry GPA includes all Chemistry ("CHEM") courses at or above the 2000 level completed for a letter grade at Cornell University. The Chemistry GPA does not take into account other degree requirements (e.g. math and physics), non-chemistry electives, AP credit, or transfer credit from other institutions. | 3.3 or above |
CHEM 4980: The Honors Capstone
For enrollment in CHEM 4980, students must:
- have already declared the Chemistry major.
- have a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.1 at the time of enrollment.
- provide a short statement from their research or faculty advisor, or the Chemistry DUS, supporting their intended enrollment in the seminar.
- have completed ≥ 4 academic credits of research (or equivalent, such as a summer research fellowship), or at least one honors experimental laboratory (listed above) and CHEM 3890 at the time of enrollment.
Sample Academic Plans
| Year | Sample One (non-honors) | Sample Two (non-honors) |
|---|---|---|
| First Year (Fall) | Gen Chem I w- lab (CHEM 2070/71) Calculus I (MATH 1110) or AP credit | Gen Chem I w- lab (CHEM 2070/71) Calculus for Engineers (MATH 1910) w- AP credit |
| First Year (Spring) | Gen Chem II w- lab (CHEM 2080/81) Calculus II (MATH 1120) or AP credit | Gen Chem II w- lab (CHEM 2080/81) Elective: Multivariable Calculus or Linear Algebra |
| Second Year (Fall) | Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 3570) Intro to Organic Lab (CHEM 2510) General Physics I (PHYS 2207) | Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 3570) Intro to Organic Lab (CHEM 2510) Physics I: Mechanics and Heat (PHYS 1112) |
| Second Year (Spring) | Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 3580) General Physics II (PHYS 2208) General, Research, or Lab Elective | Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 3580) Physics II: Electromagnetism (PHYS 2213) General, Research, or Lab Elective |
| Third Year (Fall) | Principles of Physical Chemistry (CHEM 3870) General, Research, or Lab Elective | Principles of Physical Chemistry (CHEM 3870) General, Research, or Lab Elective |
| Third Year (Spring) | Basics of Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 3880) Physical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 2900) General, Research, or Lab Elective | Basics of Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 3880) Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 4100) General, Research, or Lab Elective |
| Fourth Year (Fall) | General, Research, or Lab Elective | General, Research, or Lab Elective |
| Fourth Year (Spring) | Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 4100) General, Research, or Lab Elective | Physical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 2900) General, Research, or Lab Elective |
Either plan will result in 60 - 65 approved credits toward completion of the major. Plan two has slightly more emphasis on math and physics. Neither plan satisfies the requirements for Honors in Chemistry. | ||
| Year | Sample One Honors Accelerated Track | Sample Two Honors Standard Track |
|---|---|---|
| First Year (Fall) | Chem 2150: Honors Gen Chem w-lab | Chem 2070/71: Gen Chem I w- lab |
| First Year (Spring) | Chem 3590: Honors Org Chem I Chem 2510: Org Chem Lab | Chem 2080/81: Gen Chem II w- lab
|
| Second Year (Fall) | Chem 3600: Honors Org Chem II | Chem 3570: Org Chem I Chem 2510: Org Chem Lab |
| Second Year (Spring) | Chem 4100: Inorganic Chem Chem 3010: Honors Org Chem Lab | Chem 3580: Org Chem II Chem 3010: Honors Org Chem Lab |
| Junior Year (Fall) | Chem 3890: Honors Phys Chem Chem 3020: Honors Analytical Lab | Chem 3890: Honors Phys Chem |
| Junior Year (Spring) | Chem 3900: Honors Phys Chem Chem 3030: Honors Phys Chem Lab | Chem 3900: Honors Phys Chem Chem 4100: Inorganic Chem |
| Senior Year (Fall) | Electives/Research | Chem 3020: Honors Analytical Lab Electives/Research |
| Senior Year (Spring) | CHEM 4980: Honors Capstone | Chem 3030: Honors Phys Chem Lab Chem 4980: Honors Capstone
|
Apply to Chem
Admission to the Chemistry major requires satisfactory completion of several introductory courses in chemistry, math, and physics. Students who complete the following introductory courses with a grade of "C" or better are generally admitted to the major:
- General Chemistry: CHEM 2070/71 and CHEM 2080/81 or CHEM 2150
- Organic Chemistry: CHEM 3570 or CHEM 3590
- Mathematics: MATH 1110 or credit (AP, IB, CASE)
- Physics: PHYS 2207 or PHYS 1112 or credit (AP, IB, CASE)
Students who complete three of the required introductory courses listed above may apply to join the major early; however, admission remains at the discretion of the department.
Students with a grade of C- or lower in one of the introductory courses may be required to complete additional coursework at a satisfactory level before being admitted to the major. Students with more than one grade at or below a C- should not apply to the major.
Prospective majors are encouraged to contact chemundergrad@cornell.edu to discuss their academic goals before submitting an application.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and as frequently as possible.
Information for Chem Majors
Click here to access Chemistry Major forms and documents, including:
- Degree Tracking Sheet
- CHEM Majors After Graduation: 2019 - 2023
- Latin Honors Flowchart (expires Aug 2026)
- CHEM Summer Fellowships Application and FAQ
- Information on Joining a Research Group in CHEM
- Professional Development Fund Application
- Internship, Fellowship, and Job opportunities