AP, IB, and GCE Credit for: Biological Sciences Majors
The AP credit tables below summarize exam credit and placement that are specific to the biological sciences major. For more information about advanced placement credit and a comprehensive list of advanced placement sources and credit awarded by the university, please refer to the Courses of Study.
Biology
| Note: AP Biology courses cannot be used toward the biological science major, but can count toward the 120 credits required for graduation. | |||
Exam options and score requirements for fulfilling degree requirements at Cornell | Cornell course as listed on transcript and in Student Center | Biological sciences major requirement fulfilled | Credits |
4 on CEEB AP Exam 6 on IB Higher Level Exam | BIOG 1101F | None (but can count towards 120 credits required for graduation) | 4 |
5 on CEEB AP Exam A or B on the GCE A-Level Exam 7 on IB Higher Level Exam M3 or higher on the Cambridge Pre-University Principal Subject Exam | BIOG 1102F | None (but can count towards 120 credits required for graduation) | 8 |
Chemistry
Note: * If a student takes CHEM 2070/2071, they will forfeit the AP credit. * If a student takes CHEM 2150, they will retain AP credit. | |||
Exam options and score requirements for fulfilling degree requirements at Cornell | Cornell course as listed on transcript and in Student Center | Biological sciences major requirement fulfilled | Credits |
5 on CEEB AP Exam B on GCE A-Level Exam 6 or 7 on IB Higher Level Exam | CHEM 2070/2071
| CHEM 2070/2071
| 4 |
A* or A on GCE A-Level Exam | CHEM 2070/2071 and CHEM 2080/2801 | CHEM 2070/2071 and CHEM 2080/2081 | 8
|
Mathematics
Note: | |||
Exam options and score requirements for fulfilling degree requirements at Cornell | Cornell course as listed on transcript and in Student Center | Biological sciences major requirement fulfilled | Credits |
4 or 5 on CEEB AP BC Exam
| MATH 1110 and MATH 1120 | MATH 1110 and MATH 1120 | 8 |
4 or 5 on CEEB AP, AB or AB subscore of the Mathematics BC exam for non-engineering majors 6 or 7 on IB Higher Level Exam (Mathematics AA or AI) A*, A, B, or C on GCE A-Level Exam (Non-engineering majors who take the A level exam in Singapore will receive an additional 4 credits and placement out of Calculus II (MATH 1120). | MATH 1110 | MATH 1110 | 4 |
Statistics
Exam options and score requirements for fulfilling degree requirements at Cornell | Cornell course as listed on the transcript and in Student Center | Biological sciences major requirement fulfilled | Credits |
5 on CEEB AP Exam | AEM 2100 (prior to fall 2025) STSCI 2100 (starting fall 2025) | A student can use specific statistics courses to fulfill the second math requirement for the major. The student should consult with an OUB advisor prior to this decision as certain concentrations require Calculus II as their second math requirement and there might be other factors to consider. | 4 |
Physics
Exam options and score requirements for fulfilling degree requirements at Cornell | Cornell course as listed on transcript and in Student Center | Biological sciences major requirement fulfilled | Credits |
5 on Physics I- CEEB AP exam A*, A or B on GCE A-Level Exam
6 or 7 on IB Higher Level Exam | PHYS 1101 With a score of 5 on Mathematics BC, placement out of PHYS 2207 PHYS 1101 or 2207 PHYS 1101 or 2207 PHYS 1101 or 2207 | PHYS 1101 or 2207 PHYS 1101 or 2207 PHYS 1101 or 2207 PHYS 1101 or 2207 | 4 4 4 4 |
5 on Physics II- CEEB AP Exam | Placement out of PHYS 1102. With a score of 5 on Mathematics BC, placement out of PHYS 2208. | Physics 1102 or 2208 | 4 |
5 on Physics C-Mechanics- CEEB AP Exam | Placement out of PHYS 1112 (for 3 credits) or PHYS 2207 (for 4 credits). Students given credit for PHYS 1112 must enroll in PHYS 1110. | PHYS 1112 or 2207 | 3 or 4 |
5 on Physics C-Electricity & Magnetism- CEEB AP Exam | PHYS 2213 | PHYS 2213 | 4 |
Computer Science
Exam options and score requirements for fulfilling degree requirements at Cornell | Cornell course as listed on transcript and in Student Center | Biological sciences major requirement fulfilled | Credits |
5 on CEEB AP A Exam 6 or 7 on IB Higher Level Exam | CS 1110 | CS 1110 | 4 |
Placement for Non-Biological Sciences Majors
| AP Score | Credit | Placement for Non-Biological Sciences Majors |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 8 credits | Placement out of Introductory Biology Cluster Courses |
| 4 | 4 credits | Placement out of 4 credits of Introductory Biology Cluster Courses |
| IB Score | Credit | Placement for Non-Biological sciences Majors |
| 7 | 8 credits | Placement out of Introductory Biology Cluster Courses |
| 6 | 4 credits | Placement out of 4 credits of Introductory Biology Cluster Courses |
| GCE Score | Credit | Placement for Non-Biological sciences Majors |
| A or B | 8 credits | Placement out of Introductory Biology Cluster Courses |
| Cambridge Pre-U score | Credit | Placement for Non-Biological sciences Majors |
| M3 or higher | 8 credits | Placement out of Introductory Biology Cluster Courses |