Frequently Asked Questions

Operations Research and Engineering Major Frequently Asked Questions

• How should I design my academic plan?

  Students should design their academic plan by consulting the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook and the ORIE Undergraduate Handbook. Students are also encouraged to meet with their ORIE faculty advisor or with ORIE’s Undergraduate Coordinator for advice. The Undergraduate Coordinator can be reached at orie-ug-support@cornell.edu.

• What are major approved electives?

  Major approved electives are technical courses numbered 2000 or above. “Technical” means that in a significant part of the course, students actively use their skills in mathematics, the sciences, or engineering design. 12 credits (usually 4 courses) are required. Major approved electives are categorized into Category A (Engineering, Sciences, and Mathematics) and Category B (Engineering Design, Finance, and Economic Analysis). At least 6 credits must be in Category A. The school maintains a list of courses that may be used as Major Approved electives. The list can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook.

• How do I calculate my major GPA?

  A student’s major GPA includes their engineering core courses, engineering distribution courses (ENGRI 11XX, ENGRD 2700 and ENGRD 2110), major required courses, ORIE electives, and major approved electives. It does not include liberal studies courses or courses taken to fulfill the requirements for another major/minor. With courses that are repeated, only the highest grade is used in the calculation.

• If I am taking courses towards certification of a minor outside OR&E, can I use any of those minor courses to also satisfy OR&E degree requirements?

  Students are required to complete six courses to earn a certification for a Minor. The institution does not currently have any major/minor overlap policies. Consult the Engineering Handbook for eligibility and guidelines for information about Minors.

• How can I get involved with ORIE research as an undergraduate?

  Students can participate in ORIE research through two courses, ORIE 4900 (Undergraduate Research in ORIE) and ORIE 4999 (ORIE Project).

  ORIE 4900 is for students participating in individual faculty-mentored, academic research. Students can enroll using the Engineering Research for Credit system.

  ORIE 4999 is for undergraduate team project-based research. Students should apply via an online survey (linked in the course roster) and are assigned to project teams by the faculty member overseeing the ORIE projects. The survey opens during pre-enroll and students may be assigned to teams anytime between pre-enroll and the first several weeks of the semester.

• What kind of careers do ORIE majors go into after graduation?

  Students can view data on career outcomes for ORIE majors on Cornell’s Career Services Website.

• How can I check on my progress toward the ORIE degree?

  All affiliated ORIE majors can view their degree progress here: https://checklists.coecis.cornell.edu/. If you would like to make any changes to your checklist or have questions regarding it, please contact us at orie-ug-support@cornell.edu.

• How can I get approval for study abroad credit used toward the ORIE major or transfer credit for an ORIE class?

  Email the syllabus for the class you wish to transfer to orie-ug-support@cornell.edu. Include the ORIE requirement/course you believe the class is equivalent to in the email. The department may take up to five business days to evaluate this request. Once you have received departmental approval, please follow the processes laid out by the Office of Global Learning or Engineering Registrar, respectively, regarding these credits.

• Can I use transfer credit to satisfy a major required course?

  ORIE will only allow matriculated and affiliated students to take a major required course as transfer credit (outside of approved study abroad programs) in extremely rare circumstances. This rule does not apply to non-ORIE majors, who must follow the rules of their respective major.

• How can I get approval for OPT (Optional Practical Training) as a graduating ORIE major?

  Undergraduate students who plan to use OPT the summer after graduating from the ORIE major should enter the ORIE Undergraduate Coordinator as their advisor for the approval form. ORIE M.Eng. students should enter Eric Gentsch (elg46) as their advisor. For CPT approvals: Curricular Practical Training.