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Discover CALS

See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

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Undergraduate Admissions

Pursue knowledge while pursuing your purpose

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to one of Cornell University’s largest populations of students, faculty, and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach.

The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

Since our founding, we have evolved continuously to meet the changing needs of our world. Our top-ranked programs include over 20 majors in community and rural development, environment and natural resources, food and nutrition, communication, applied economics, agriculture, international programs, and life sciences.

Degrees & Programs

We've created several ways for you to delve into what CALS has to offer.  Not sure what major is right for you? Explore our offerings grouped by Interest.  Want to head straight to our majors?  Discover our majors grouped under Degree Programs.  Curious which majors might fit with your career aspirations?  Check out our Careers! 

Find a program
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First-Year Students

Applying to college is an important step! From admissions requirements to a list of CALS majors, you'll find it all here.

Learn About Applying

Transfer Applicants

Many pathways can lead to a degree from Cornell CALS. We welcome students with diverse experiences. 

Learn About Transferring

Tuition & Aid

You’re encouraged to work closely with our Financial Aid Office.

Learn About Tuition & Aid

Let’s connect

Learn how you can spark unexpected discoveries, inspire pioneering solutions and improve lives through purpose-driven science.

Undergraduate Stories

Improving therapeutics for Type 1 diabetes

Gaby Markle ’26 was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 4 years old. Working with Cornell CALS biological and environmental engineering professor Minglin Ma, Gaby is researching potential treatments using synthetic biology.

Discover synthetic biology at CALS
Play CALS Undergraduate Research Experience: Gaby Markle ’26
Sabine Paz-Le Draoulec headshot

Field Note

USDA intern Sabine Paz-Le Draoulec ’26 supports tribal ag initiatives
Sabine Paz-Le Draoulec ’26, an environment and sustainability major from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, spent her summer in Washington, D.C., with the United States Department of Agriculture through its Future Leaders in Public Service Internship...
  • Agriculture
  • Environment
Standing on the UN floor next to table cards that read "President" and "Panama"

Field Note

From Cornell to the UN with Sofia Herrera ’27
Sofia Herrera ’27, a global development major from Panama City, Panama, shares her experience serving her home country as a summer intern with the United Nations. Why I chose this path This summer, I had the privilege of interning at the...
  • Global Development
Ann Jie Teo ’27

Field Note

Ann Jie Teo ’27 spends summer providing nutrition education in Alaska
This summer Ann Jie Teo ’27, an international student from Ipoh, Malaysia, studying nutritional sciences, traveled to Nome, Alaska, to intern with Norton Sound Health Corp. Here, she talks about her experience in the Bering Strait region...
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Health + Nutrition
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Field Note

Cristhian Galvez Espinoza: Breaking into sustainable ag research
Originally from Ecuador, Cristhian Said Galvez Espinoza came to work with the Nutrient Management Spear Program last fall as an intern from Zamorano University. Earlier this year, he rejoined the team for eight months as a research technician...
  • Animal Science
  • Crops
  • Soil

Opportunity Spotlight

Apply what you learn through real-world experiences and internships.

Faculty Spotlight

Passionate teachers, researchers & world-renowned leaders in their fields.

Research Spotlight

Join research teams taking on some of today’s most pressing issues.

Student and CALS faculty member planting in a greenhouse
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graduate students doing research