EAS Major Requirements
Major requirements:
The Earth and Atmospheric Sciences major is available to students in the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Engineering.
In addition to the requirements listed below, students must complete general requirements specific to their college. Students should visit their college's advising center for more information.
Prerequisites for Admission to the Major*
An understanding of the Earth requires a strong grounding in math and the basic physical and biological sciences. The requirements described below are the minimum requirements for the major. Students anticipating graduate study or careers in the earth sciences are strongly urged to complete additional math and basic sciences courses relevant to their concentration.
* Students must be in good standing with their college and receive a C- or better in all prerequisite courses to be admitted to the major. Students must take all prerequisite courses for a letter grade. Students still completing the prerequisite courses can be admitted to the major provisionally.
Mathematics
At least two courses in calculus: MATH 1110 + MATH 1120 or MATH 1910 + MATH 1920
- Students who place out of both semesters of calculus with AP credit must take an additional math course at Cornell University.
- Students in the College of Engineering must complete MATH 1910, MATH 1920, MATH 2930, and MATH 2940.
Physics
At least two courses in calculus-based physics: PHYS 2207 + PHYS 2208 or PHYS 1112 + PHYS 2213
- Students who take PHYS 1112 + PHYS 2213 are also strongly encouraged to take PHYS 2214.
- Students in the College of Engineering must complete PHYS 1112 + PHYS 2213.
Chemistry
At least two courses in chemistry: CHEM 2070 or CHEM 2090 + CHEM 2080 or CHEM 1570
- Students who take PHYS 1112 + PHYS 2213 may substitute PHYS 2214 for their second course in chemistry.
- Students in the College of Engineering must complete CHEM 2090.
Biology
At least one course in biology, chosen from the following: BIOG 1140, BIOG 1440, BIOEE 1610, BIOEE 1780, BIOMG 1350, BIOSM 1610, or BIOSM 1780
- Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences must complete an additional course in biology. For their second course in biology, students may take any biology course that satisfies the CALS Introductory Life Sciences/Biology Requirement (see here for specific courses). We recommend the courses previously mentioned and EAS 1560.
Advisor-Approved Course in Math, Statistics, Computer Science, or Natural Science
An advisor-approved course in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or natural science (including, but not limited to, a course in astronomy, a second course in biology, or an additional course in physics or chemistry).
- Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences fulfill this requirement by completing a second semester of biology (see "Biology" section above).
- Students in the College of Engineering may use CS 1110 (or equivalent) to fulfill this requirement, in which case an additional major-approved elective is required (see "Additional Required Courses" section below).
Major Requirements*
* Students must receive a C- or better in all major required courses and take all major required courses for a letter grade.
Introductory Course
- EAS 2250 The Earth System
Students in the College of Engineering may count EAS 2250 The Earth System as an ENGRD course in fulfilling their college core curriculum requirements. Students who choose to do so must take an additional major-approved elective (see "Additional Required Courses" section below).
Core and Concentration Course Requirements
Students also have the option of designing their own concentration tailored to their interests in consultation with their advisor and upon approval of the EAS Curriculum Committee.
Field Course Requirement
Exposure to the basic observations of earth science in the field is necessary to fully understand the chosen area of concentration in the major. A minimum of 3 credits of appropriate coursework is required, although more experience with fieldwork is encouraged. See specific concentration pages for suggested courses to fulfill this requirement.
Additional Required Courses
(For Students in the College of Engineering Only)
Students in the College of Engineering must also take a major-approved elective at the 3000-level or above.
- Students who elect to count EAS 2250 as an ENGRD must take an additional major-approved elective.
- Students who elect to use CS 1110 (or equivalent) to fulfill their advisor-approved course in math, statistics, computer science, or natural science requirement must take an additional major-approved elective.
Students in the College of Engineering must also take three outside major electives and two advisor approved electives. These courses must be approved by the student's advisor.