In the College of Human Ecology .
Study Abroad
Each year over 75 Human Ecology students spend a semester or more off campus in places spanning the globe, from Australia to Zaire. There they supplement their Cornell studies with a wide range of cross-cultural and academic experiences. Study-abroad opportunities are available through Cornell–sponsored programs and other U.S. college–sponsored programs as well as by direct enrollment at foreign universities.
Exchange Programs
New exchange agreements with leading international universities allow Human Ecology students to gain a global outlook and advantages for their future career development. Students coming to Cornell as part of the exchange programs enrich the experiences of Cornell students in Ithaca. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University exchange program provides specialized study for students interested in fiber science, apparel design, and interior design. The exchange agreement with the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, provides a study abroad opportunity for all Human Ecology students and specialization opportunities for students interested in facilities management and interior design. For more information, see the Human Ecology Exchange Program website.
Residency Requirements
All study-abroad students must meet college study-abroad requirements and remain registered at Cornell during the overseas study. Credits earned count toward the 60 Cornell credits required for graduation (in unusual circumstances some credits earned abroad may be considered as transfer credit).
Requirements for College Approval
- GPA of 3.0 or higher, good academic standing, and well-articulated goals for students’ study abroad semester.
- Completion of the Cornell application; applications from individual programs also must be submitted to Cornell.
- Completion of the equivalent of 15 semester credits per semester while abroad.
- Courses taken for a letter grade (unless course is offered with only an S–U option).
- Submission of a petition by second-semester seniors going abroad.
Application Process
Typically, students considering study abroad begin their planning at least a year before the semester abroad. Students should carefully consider what they hope to get out of a study-abroad experience (academically and culturally) when investigating program options. Resources can be found in the Cornell Abroad office (300 Caldwell Hall), through the Human Ecology study-abroad advisor (170 MVR), or in the Human Ecology Career Exploration Center (162 MVR). Completed applications must be submitted to the Human Ecology registrar’s office by the following dates:
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Fall and year deadlines: |
February 1 |
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Spring deadline: |
September 15 |
Some programs will be filled by these dates. Use of the early deadlines is strongly recommended. These are:
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Fall and year deadlines: |
December 15 |
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Spring deadline: |
May 1 |
Approved applications will be signed and forwarded to the respective programs through the Cornell Abroad office.
Credits Abroad and Transfer of Credit
Most study abroad courses are transferred to the Cornell degree program as electives or liberal arts distribution credit. Study abroad credit awarded toward one’s major is much less common and must be approved via signature of the student’s department advising coordinator on the Cornell application. Credit for study abroad will be awarded only after successful completion of the semester abroad (marks equivalent to a Cornell grade of C or higher) and receipt of the official transcript by the college. Official transcripts should be sent to the Cornell Abroad office, which will process and forward them to the Human Ecology registrar.
Courses must be pre-approved before the student’s departure. Any variances must be cleared with Human Ecology. Students must include a foreign language course in the country’s native language if studying in a country where English is not the native language. All courses taken abroad and grades received will appear on the Cornell transcript. Grades earned do not, however, become part of the Cornell GPA. Students should save all written work from all classes until courses are officially transferred.
Independent Research
Research opportunities for undergraduates are extensive and valued as an important part of the learning experience. The opportunity to engage in substantive research with some of the leading scientists in their fields is so compelling that approximately half of the college’s undergraduates conduct research projects. Students may become involved in research with the guidance of faculty members by conducting research assigned in a class, joining a faculty member’s research group, completing an independent study research project, or carrying out an honors program project.
For further information, students should contact individual faculty members or the director of undergraduate studies in their department.
Honors Programs
Students interested in college honors programs that lead to the degree “bachelor of science with honors” usually apply to the appropriate honors committee no later than the end of the first semester of their junior year. A minimum GPA of 3.3 and demonstrated potential for honors-level research is required. Students take approved courses in research methodology and evaluation, attend honors seminars, complete a written thesis, and defend it in an oral examination. Students who are interested in the honors program should contact the director of undergraduate studies in their department or division for information and guidelines.
Field Study and Internships
Field study and internships provide experiential learning opportunities in real-life circumstances where classroom knowledge is tested and applied. Students are able to master new skills, develop and implement plans of action, solve problems, interact in multicultural situations, and build networks for future job opportunities. By applying techniques of research methods, critical thinking, and self-directed learning, students learn to think conceptually while becoming agents of change.
Check with the director of undergraduate studies for major-specific information. The Career Exploration Center (162 MVR) and career counselors in 172 MVR also can provide resources and assistance in finding internships and other experiential opportunities.
Concentrations
The College of Human Ecology formally recognizes as concentrations computer information sciences and international relations (both administered by the College of Arts and Sciences). Students interested in pursuing these concentrations should inquire with the college department offering them. If successfully completed before graduation, these concentrations will be posted as part of the student’s official transcript.
Students may develop an unofficial concentration in additional fields taught at Cornell by taking 12 credits in an approved area. Africana studies, communications, and business are just a few examples of concentrations that are possible. While these unofficial concentrations are not part of a student’s transcript, students may choose to publicize these concentrations on their personal résumés.
Minors
A student may pursue a minor in any department in any college that offers them, subject to limitations placed by the department offering the minor or by the student’s major. Completed minors will appear on the student’s transcript. Not all departments offer minors. Consult the appropriate section in this catalog or contact the appropriate department for information on minors offered and how to pursue a minor. The following minors are offered by Human Ecology departments/divisions: fiber science, gerontology, global health, nutrition, and policy analysis and management.
Minor in Gerontology
For students interested in pursuing study related to aging, the College of Human Ecology, under the auspices of the Bronfenbrenner Life Course Center, offers the option of completing an undergraduate minor in gerontology. This program is designed to develop an understanding of and competence in dealing with the processes and issues of aging. Study in gerontology enriches the practical experience of students and prepares them for professional work in this area. The program draws on the resources of several departments and colleges at Cornell to shape a curriculum suited to each student’s professional goals and interests. Courses at Ithaca College’s Gerontology Institute may also be taken toward the gerontology minor.
The gerontology minor is available in combination with any undergraduate major offered by the university. Twelve credit hours of course work must be completed. The courses explore aging through biology, psychology, sociology, economics, and design.
Experiential learning opportunities are strongly recommended as a complement to classroom work. Students may join the “Cornell Elderly Partnership” through the Cornell Public Service Center to participate in local visits to elders. There also are opportunities for undergraduates to become involved in research projects examining topics such as residential changes and adjustments in the later years, nutrition and elders, social security, and design for people with dementia. In addition, senior students can apply to work as a teaching assistant for a gerontology course.
Departments and programs have designated academic advisors for the gerontology concentration who will help students plan the sequences of courses and electives needed to complete both a major and the gerontology minor. Because many gerontology courses have prerequisites, early and careful planning is essential.
Program requirements may be obtained online at www.blcc.cornell.edu/education_gerontology.html; from the Human Ecology registrar’s office (146 MVR, (607) 255-2235); or from the program coordinator Nancy Wells, Design and Environmental Analysis (E220 MVR, (607) 254-6330).
Minor in Fiber Science (FS)
Starting in fall 2010, the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design (FSAD) will offer a minor open to all Cornell undergraduate students.
The minor requires 12 or 13 credit hours of work with FSAD. No substitution for the required courses for the minor will be permitted.
Course Requirements
To minor in FS, a student must complete the following requirements:
1. Complete one of the following courses:
2. Complete the following courses:
3. Complete one of the following courses:
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Intention to Minor in Fiber Science (MiFS) form to get preference for the above-mentioned FSAD courses, if they are oversubscribed. Forms will be available from the undergraduate coordinator in 207 MVR Hall.
- Keep a copy of the MiFS form for your reference. To receive consideration or priority in FSAD course enrollment, a form must be submitted before the semester in which enrollment is desired.
- Plan a course of study to complete minor requirements. Keeping track of courses required and completed toward the FS minor is the student’s responsibility; students will not be assigned a FSAD advisor.
- Earn a grade of B- or better in each course required by the minor. S-U is not accepted.
- During the semester in which you are planning to graduate, submit a copy of the Application to Graduate with a Minor in Fiber Science form, and an unofficial transcript to the undergraduate coordinator in 207 MVR Hall. After proper verification your college registrar will be notified, and your final transcript will indicate that you have earned a minor in Fiber Science.
Questions should be addressed to Valorie Adams, undergraduate coordinator, or Prof. Charlotte Jirousek, director of undergraduate studies.