Chemistry (BA) at Cornell University

Programme overview

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a comprehensive range of courses in physical, organic, inorganic, analytical chemistry, and chemical biology, enabling students to explore the world of chemistry and its related fields, while preparing them for a wide range of careers and professions. Courses numbered below 5000 are primarily designated for undergraduates, while those above 5000 are mainly intended for graduate students.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Duration: 120 credits minimum | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

This is an in-person, four-year program of study offered at the Ithaca campus. Students must complete a total of 60 credits in chemistry and related subjects.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university through the undergraduate college that offers the major (College of Arts & Sciences); no separate programme-specific admission requirement is listed in the catalogue entry. See Cornell undergraduate admissions. Admission to the chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses which, when taken together, demonstrate proficiency 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.

USD 73,946 a year (2026-27). Endowed Ithaca undergraduate tuition (Architecture, Art and Planning; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Hotel Administration), one rate for all students; tuition only, excludes mandatory fees, housing and meals. The programme is listed under an endowed coll Source

First-year applicants: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision for fall entry. Transfer applications are considered for the fall semester only.

First-year Early Decision: application and fee due November 1, other required materials November 13, decisions mid-December. Regular Decision: application and fee due January 2, other materials January 19, decisions late March. Applications are submitted through the Common Application; the application fee is $85 (fee waiver available). SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.

Transfer applicants: application and fee due March 15, other required materials April 15, decisions late April through June, for fall entry only. Applications use the Transfer Common Application; the fee is $85. SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply

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