Department of Chemistry
ACS certified chemistry program
Cornell’s Department of Chemistry has been approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the professional training of chemists at the undergraduate level and students can pursue a certification in ACS as a part of the B.A. or B.S.S. degree. When you pair ACS certification with our One Course At A Time curriculum you’ll work in a laboratory environment as a professional researcher. You also have a lab dedicated to your course, so you're never rushed to finish experiments in a narrow window between setup and cleanup—the lab is yours all day, every day.
You’ll master your understanding of chemistry, learn how to effectively conduct experiments, and develop skills to summarize your findings and share them with others. You may take those skills with you into a graduate level research program, or you might find yourself reporting your findings to a CEO who relies on your work to make decisions about product or drug development.
Chemistry course and degree requirements
Studying chemistry at Cornell, you will work closely with your professors for each 18-day block. In some of the introductory chemistry courses you might have a lecture in the morning with lab work two afternoons a week. Other courses may be taught in a workshop format, where you have a short lecture and then immediately go to the lab to get some practical experience with the topic.
Some students pursue an education concentration with their chemistry major, preparing them to teach the next generation of chemists. We also offer the option for you to pursue ACS certification with a specific course of study which assures future employers that you are experienced in the laboratory and have a broad base of scientific knowledge and professional skills.
Research in the field of chemistry
We strongly encourage you to engage in research projects at Cornell or other institutions to help you become an active, engaged scientist. The opportunity to work in small groups with faculty mentors during the Cornell Summer Research Institute means working side by side with professional scientists who have varied research interests. We treat students as full partners in the research process, giving you an experience much like that of a graduate school research lab.
Off-campus opportunities for chemistry students
You're encouraged to pursue research opportunities at other institutions, as well. The department has an ongoing relationship with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which offers fall, spring, and summer internships.
Students have also done research at Rutgers University, the University of Oregon, Iowa State University, University of Nebraska, Baylor University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Arizona, the University of Minnesota, Missouri State University, and the University of Illinois.
Internships in chemistry
One Course At A Time enables you to participate in block-long internships, giving you the chance to take part in off-campus experiences tailored to your interests and earn credit toward graduation. Dimensions for Health Professions offers students access to internships related to health professions, including in physicians’ offices, public health offices, and research laboratories.
Students have recently completed internships or fellowships at:
- Integrated DNA Technologies in Coralville, Iowa
- Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- State Hygienic Laboratory in Coralville, Iowa
- The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City
- AbbVie in Lake County, Illinois
What are Cornell students doing in internships? Check out their blogs.
Find your fellow chemists
The Chemistry Club is a group for anyone with an interest in chemistry. This group has two main events each year: during National Chemistry Week they perform demonstrations on the OC for anyone interested, and in February they get involved with local education and do demonstrations for the Mount Vernon fifth grade classes. This group is also a great resource to find out about career opportunities in the field and the details of pursuing chemistry in graduate school.
Career opportunities in chemistry and chemical engineering
Many of our graduates find themselves in research positions in a wide range of industries after graduation. Recent graduates are working at universities as researchers and professors; they’re working in hospital settings like the Mayo Clinic; and they’re assisting with solving crime in forensic law enforcement agencies. They’ve also found roles in laboratories that focus on food manufacturing, environmental sustainability, and animal health.
The Berry Career Institute can help you find the role where you can put your laboratory expertise in Chemistry to work.
Studying STEM at Cornell College
Science is exciting at Cornell...combine our new and renovated facilities, created just for the block plan where your classroom and lab are dedicated for your class' use for a whole block with faculty who are only teaching your class that block and there's more time for innovation, collaboration, and in-depth knowledge building.