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In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) offers programs leading to the degrees bachelor of science (B.S.), master of science (M.S.), and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). Professional degrees include the master of professional studies (MPS), master of food science (MFS), master of landscape architecture (MLA) and master of engineering (MEng). Some registered professional licensing and certification programs are also available.
All curricula required for degrees in CALS are registered with the New York State Education Department.
Bachelor of Science Degree
Departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences foster study for the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in over 20 major programs. To qualify for the degree, students must fulfill CALS Graduation Requirements established by the faculty of the College and administered through the Office of Academic Programs.
The college learning outcomes expected for all students to earn a B.S. degree are listed below:
- Explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret factual claims, theories, and assumptions in the student’s discipline(s) (especially in one or more of the college’s priority areas of land grant–agricultural sciences, applied social sciences, environmental sciences, and/or life sciences) and more broadly in the sciences and humanities
- Find, access, critically evaluate, and ethically use information
- Integrate quantitative and qualitative information to reach defensible and creative conclusions
- Communicate effectively through writing, speech, and visual information
- Articulate the views of people with diverse perspectives
- Demonstrate the capability to work both independently and in cooperation with others
- Apply methods of sustainability to the analysis of one or more major challenges facing humans and the Earth’s resources.
Degree Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In-Person, Ithaca, NY
- Length of Program: Full-Time, 120 credits
- Prerequisites: Students will have met most prerequisites by virtue of the requirements for admission.
Undergraduate Majors
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers over 20 undergraduate majors and more than 35 minors, many of which are cross-departmental to take advantage of the knowledge experience, and expertise of the faculty from several disciplines. Faculty identify a sequence of courses that constitute the requirements for each major. In addition, all students must meet the minimum distribution requirements of the College. Courses of study are designed to provide systematic development of basic skills and concepts as well as critical thinking. Many majors provide the opportunity for students to concentrate in a particular focal area. The following units offer major fields of study for undergraduates. Students should consult with the faculty or staff advising coordinator regarding requirements and opportunities for concentrations in the major.
Additional Course Offering Areas:
*Agriculture and Life Sciences (ALS) courses are not associated with any departments. These courses have broad interest among students across the college.
Double Majors in CALS
Students are admitted into a single major. Completion of one major is required for graduation. Some students choose to complete more than one major. Completed majors are posted on the official transcript. Students are not allowed to continue their studies past their eighth (or equivalent) semester to complete additional majors or minors. Students interested in declaring a second major can find more information on the CALS website. Students who pursue a second major must choose a major within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
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Cornell students are not allowed to double major across colleges. This includes CALS Biological Engineering and Environmental Engineering with any other Engineering majors.
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Please be advised: It may prove difficult for students majoring in CALS Landscape Architecture to double major (within CALS). Due to the specific nature of Landscape Architecture coursework (studio based) we do not expect that more than 12 credits of coursework will overlap with any other CALS major and these 12 credits would likely be electives.
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Please be advised: It may prove difficult for students majoring in CALS Biological or Environmental Engineering to double major (within CALS). Due to the specific nature of engineering degree coursework, we do not expect that more than 12 credits of coursework will overlap with any other CALS major and these 12 credits would likely be electives.
Undergraduate Minors
Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences may pursue one or more minor fields of study offered by any department within Cornell University, subject to limitations placed by the department offering the minor or by the student’s major. A minor is not a requirement for graduation. To add a minor, contact the office or view the website of your desired minor to find out the process for adding the minor. Students are not allowed to continue their studies past their eighth (or equivalent) semester to complete additional minors. Minors offered by CALS are described along with the majors later in the CALS section of this catalog. Not all majors or departments offer minors. Minors available at the university can be found on Cornell University’s academics website.
Professional Master’s Degrees
The CALS professional master’s programs offer challenging opportunities for individuals who choose to continue education in their current or related field.
For more information, visit the CALS Professional Master’s Degrees website and the individual field websites below.
- Animal Science (MPS)
- Biological & Environmental Engineering (MPS, MEng)
- Food Science & Technology (MFS)
- Global Development (MPS)
- Integrative Plant Science (MPS)
- Landscape Architecture (MLA, MPS)
- Natural Resources and the Environment (MPS)
These programs are administered by the CALS Office of Professional Programs and Extended Learning (OPPEL), 211-212 Kennedy Hall, calsprofprograms@cornell.edu.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) and Master of Food Science (MFS):
The MPS and MFS programs emphasize breadth of training via course work rather than research experience. MPS and MFS degree candidates take the same courses as other graduate and professional students and complete a problem-solving capstone project under the supervision of their faculty advisor. CALS offers a variety of MPS and MFS programs:
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Animal Science
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Global Development
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Integrative Plant Science
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Natural Resources and the Environment
- Master of Food Science (MFS) in Food Science
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Field: Biological & Environmental Engineering
- Field: Landscape Architecture
MPS/MFS Overview
A one-year, intensive, course-based master’s degree program that emphasizes professional development and intellectual investigation in the areas of agriculture, food science, life sciences and global development.
- Instruction Mode: In-Person, Ithaca, NY
- Length of Program: Full-Time, 30 credits, 2 semesters (and possible summer term, depending on field)
- If a leave of absence becomes necessary, the degree must be completed within 4 years of initial matriculation. After that, reapplying to the program is mandatory, admission is not guaranteed, and adherence to the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission is required.
- Prerequisites: Students will have met most prerequisites by virtue of the requirements for admission.
Coursework
- 30 credits in graduate-level courses at least 20 of which must be taken in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Capstone project: 2 to 6 credits of the required 30 credits.
- Enrollment in a minimum of 12 credits each semester. It is advised that students enroll in 15 credits each semester to stay on track for this one-year program.
- Additional requirements:
- A minimum grade point average of 2.5
- A minimum of 18 letter-graded credits
- Completion of the degree within 1 year from admission date
- Field specific requirements: check with the field director for details.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The intention of this accredited, license-qualifying program is the teaching of the theoretical underpinnings of the field of landscape architecture while building the necessary skills for practicing this challenging profession. The curriculum consists of design studios, courses in technical and computer skills, and the development of a focus area based on the student’s interest. The core of the program is the design studio, in which students develop their design process and learn various research methodologies. Individuals holding an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture or architecture or having unique employment experience may also apply for the MLA degree. Additional details are available on the CALS Landscape Architecture website.
The MLA is earned via a first-professional 90 credit track or a post-professional 60 credit track.
First Professional MLA (90 credit track)
Overview
The first-professional MLA degree is accredited by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) and is a license-qualifying degree intended for students who do not hold a first-professional degree in landscape architecture or architecture or a pre-professional degree including, but not limited to, Bachelor of Landscape Studies, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Design, or Bachelor of Architectural Studies.
- Instruction Mode: In-Person, Ithaca, NY
- Length of Program: Full-Time, 90 credits, 6 semester
- If a leave of absence becomes necessary, a maximum of 3 years is allowed. After 3 years, reapplying to the program is mandatory, admission is not guaranteed, and adherence to the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission is required.
First-Professional MLA Degree Requirements
- Completion of 90 credits 5000 level and above
- Minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5
- Registered, full-time student on the Ithaca campus for a minimum of five semesters (full-time=12 academic credits or more)
- A student’s final semester before graduation must be completed at the Cornell Ithaca campus
- Completion of 6 studios or 5 studios and a thesis
- Studios must be taken in the following sequence: LA 5010 , LA 5020 , LA 6010 , LA 6020 , LA 7010 , LA 7020
- Students must receive a grade of C- or better in studio courses to advance to the next studio in the sequence
- Two studios or a studio and thesis course may not be taken during same semester
- Students electing to complete a thesis must enroll in LA 8900 during their final semester
- The following courses are required, unless waived via petition:
- Completion of 5 History/Theory courses are required as noted below:
- 10 additional elective credits toward a concentration chosen by the student and approved by the faculty advisor
- Must take LA 6030 - Directed Study: The Concentration
- History/Theory courses in the above approved list can count as concentration credits if relevant to the concentration (LA 5900, LA 6900 and LA 6910 cannot count as concentration credit)
- Physical education (PE), language, and audited courses will not be counted towards the total 90 credits
- Courses taken prior to Fall 2021 below the 5000 level but at the 4000 level are authorized to count towards the 90-credit degree requirement
Post Professional MLA (60 credit track)
Overview
The post-professional MLA degree is accredited by NYSED and a landscape architecture, license-qualifying degree intended for those students who hold a United States or Canadian LAAB-accredited first-professional degree in landscape architecture or architecture, including a BLA, BSLA, or BArch. Students with an extensive design degree obtained internationally are evaluated and may be admitted to the post-professional degree on a case-by-case basis. Typically, students complete the degree in four semesters.
- Instruction Mode: In-Person, Ithaca, NY
- Length of Program: Full-Time, 60 credits, 4 semester
- If a leave of absence becomes necessary, a maximum of 3 years is allowed. After 3 years, reapplying to the program is mandatory, admission is not guaranteed, and adherence to the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission is required.
Post-Professional MLA Degree Requirements
- Completion of 60 credits 5000-level and above
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Registered, full-time student for a minimum of four semesters (full-time = 12 academic credits or more)
- A student’s final semester before graduation must be completed at the Cornell Ithaca campus
- Completion of 4 studios or 3 studios and a thesis
- Studios must be taken in the following sequence: LA 6010 , LA 6020 , LA 7010 , LA 7020
- Students must receive a grade of C- or better in studio courses to advance to the next studio in sequence
- Two studios or a studio and thesis course may not be taken during same semester
- Students electing to complete a thesis must enroll in LA 8900 during their final semester
- The following courses are required, unless waived via petition:
- Completion of 5 History/Theory courses are required as noted below:
- 10 additional elective credits toward a concentration chosen by the student and approved by the faculty advisor
- Must include LA 6030 - Directed Study: The Concentration
- History/Theory courses in the above approved list can count as concentration credits if relevant to the concentration (LA5900, LA6900 and LA6910 cannot count as concentration credits)
- Physical education (PE), language, and audited courses will not be counted towards the total 60 credits
- Courses taken prior to Fall 2021, below the 5000 level but at the 4000 level are authorized to count towards the 60-credit degree requirement
Dual Master Degree in Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture (MRP/MLA)
The dual degree in Regional Planning (MRP) and Landscape Architecture (MLA) prepares students for work in areas such as physical planning, environmental analysis, community development, and urban design—skills which are highly sought after in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Concurrent degree candidates may earn two distinct and independent graduate degrees from both colleges and must satisfy all requirements for both degrees. The dual degree offering is limited to participants in the 90-credit (First Professional) MLA program. Visit the City and Regional Planning website for further information about the Dual Master of Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture.
More information can be found on the AAP Dual Degree Options page .
Biological and Environmental Engineering, M.Eng. Degree
CALS also offers the one-year, 30 credit Biological and Environmental Engineering, M.Eng. program. Additional details may be found on the BEE website.
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