Plant Sciences (BS) at Cornell University

Programme overview

The program in Plant Sciences helps students understand how plants work from the molecular to ecosystem level so graduates can make new discoveries in the lab and field, produce enough food for a growing world population; breed plants to tolerate the heat- and drought-stress of climate change; develop sustainable cropping practices to produce healthful and nutritious food; investigate new methods to fight disease; and transform sterile urban environments into vibrant microcosms of nature.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Duration: 120 credits minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

Prerequisites: The Plant Sciences major does not have any specific prerequisites for students matriculating as first-year students. However, general science coursework at the high school level, especially in biology and chemistry, will better prepare students for the rigorous science coursework in this major.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university through the undergraduate college that offers the major (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences); no separate programme-specific admission requirement is listed in the catalogue entry. See Cornell undergraduate admissions.

Domestic applicants: USD 49,816 a year (2026-27). New York State contract-college undergraduate tuition, rate stated for New York State residents (Agriculture and Life Sciences; Human Ecology; Industrial and Labor Relations; Dyson; Brooks School Bachelor of Science); tuition only, excludes mandatory fees Source

International applicants: USD 73,946 a year (2026-27). New York State contract-college undergraduate tuition, rate stated for nonresidents of New York State (Contract Nonresident; the source does not give a separate international rate); tuition only, excludes mandatory fees, housing and meals. 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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