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Students must apply for affiliation with a Major during the first semester of the sophomore year, although earlier affiliation may be granted at the discretion of the Major. To apply for affiliation, students visit the office of the undergraduate Major consultant in the Major of their choice and complete an Application for Major Affiliation. To affiliate, students must (1) have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) >2.0 and (2) have satisfied the Major’s course and grade requirements described in the table below.
Occasionally, a student falls just short of meeting standard affiliation requirements but demonstrates potential in the Major. In such cases, a Major may offer "conditional affiliation". Conditional affiliation involves a written agreement signed by both the Major and the student. Students must meet the requirements specified in the conditional affiliation agreement to continue in the Major.
Students who are not affiliated or conditionally affiliated with a Major by the end of the fourth semester will be withdrawn from the College of Engineering. Future enrollment in the College of Engineering is dependent on affiliation or participation in a terminal semester.
Each Major program is described in detail in the Courses of Study. Charts on Major Programs present the courses that make up these Majors. Because it is difficult to depict the flexibility that makes it possible to take some courses in semesters other than those indicated, these charts are meant only to suggest the structure of the program. The sequence of course may also be influenced by advanced placement or transfer credit.
Requirements for graduation differ from Major to Major. In addition to completing the requirements of the common curriculum students must take a range of courses that constitutes the Major; they must earn grades that are adequate to remain in good standing; and they must accumulate sufficient credits for graduation. Each of these three parameters differs by Major, and students are responsible for knowing and meeting the requirements of the Major with which they affiliate. Specific Major requirements are set forth later in this publication and in Courses of Study. Students who have questions regarding the interpretation of these requirements should consult the undergraduate Major consultants and their faculty advisor.
| Biological Engineering (BE) | At most one grade below C- in math and science courses and BEE 151 or its equivalent |
| Chemical Engineering (ChemE) | At most one grade below C- in chemistry, math, physics, and chemical engineering courses and a GPA >2.2 in math, science, and chemical engineering courses science courses. At least C- in ENGRD 202 (or CHEM 208 for students who do not take ENGRD 202 before affiliation) |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | GPA >2.0 for all engineering and science courses. At least C- in ENGRD 202 (or CHEM 208 for students who do not take ENGRD 202 before affiliation) |
| Computer Science (CS) | At least C in all completed COM S and math courses. GPA >2.5 in COM S 211, 212, and 280. GPA >2.5 in MATH 192 and COM S 280. Visit the CS undergraduate office website to learn about alternative criteria for affiliation |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) | At least C+ in MATH 293, PHYS 213, and one of ECE/ENGRD 210, ECE 220, and ENGRD 230 (all taken for 4 credits); GPA >2.5 in the following courses if completed: MATH 192, 293, 294, PHYS 213, ECE/ENGRD 210 ; ECE 220 ; ENGRD 211, 230 |
| Engineering Physics (EP) | At least B- in all required math and physics courses |
| Environmental Engineering (EnvE) | GPA >2.0 for all engineering and science courses. At least C- in ENGRD 202 or CHEM 257
|
| Geological Science (Geo S) | Good academic standing in the College of Engineering |
| Independent Major (IM) | Cumulative GPA >2.0 |
| Information Science, Systems, Technology (ISST) | C in two of MATH 294, COM S 211, and ORIE 270. GPA >2.3 in all completed Mathematics, ENGRD, and ISST Major courses. Qualifying courses must be taken at Cornell; all courses must be taken for a letter grade. For a repeated course, the most recent grade will be used. |
| Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) | At least C- in physics and chemistry courses and at least C in ENGRD 261 or 262
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| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | A grade of C- or better in ENGRD 202, ENGRD 221* and in all completed required mathematics, science and computer science courses. A grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the following set of courses: Math 293, Physics 213, ENGRD 202, and ENGRD 221*. *if ENGRD 221 was taken. |
| Operations Research and Engineering (ORE) | At least C- in MATH 190/ 191, 192, 294, and ENGRD 270. GPA >2.0 in math, science, and engineering courses (both overall and in the term immediately before affiliation) |
1. A base requirement for affiliation in any Major is a GPA > 2.0.
2. A student who falls short of the requirements for affiliation but demonstrates potential in the Major may be offered ‘conditional affiliation”. If you believe you are in this category, please discuss the matter with the Undergraduate Major Consultant.
3. If a student has repeated a course, any GPA requirement for a Major that involves the course will include only the grade for the last time the course was taken.*
4. Majors may impose alternative affiliation requirements for students applying for affiliation later than the first semester of the sophomore year.
*except for ECE, which averages the two grades to determine qualifying GPA to affiliate.
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