The Environmental Engineering major is a collaboration between the and Cornell Engineering.
Your Faculty Advisor
Each Environmental Engineering student is assigned a faculty advisor. The primary role of the advisor is to guide you through your academic program and to assist with questions or problems you may have along the way. You will pre-register for each semester’s classes in the middle of the previous semester using the Student Center. You should plan on meeting with your faculty advisor early in the pre-enrollment process to discuss your progress and course selections. Advisors do not select your courses for you and you are responsible for meeting all graduation requirements. (The program does track your progress and alert you of your progress toward graduation in each semester of the junior and senior year.) The appendix on Student Outcomes has suggestions addressing topics that you may want to pursue in your program.
Your advisor will also enjoy getting to know you and will appreciate hearing about your successes in academics and in life. Your advisor will talk with you about career plans, provide letters of recommendation and assist you with applying to graduate or professional schools if this is what you want to do next. Faculty advisors help students applying for internships, study abroad, and provide advice as you look for summer jobs and undergraduate research. Therefore, you are encouraged to make opportunities to visit with your advisor at times other than during the scramble of pre-enrollment.
Everyone (especially students) at Cornell is busy juggling different responsibilities and activities. The following suggestions will allow you to maximize the help your advisor can offer with regard to your academics. If you follow them, you will get the most out of your relationship with your advisor.
- Plan ahead! Schedule routine appointments ahead of time.
- When you need to see your Environmental Engineering advisor, use E-mail to schedule an appointment in advance and indicate why you wish to meet. If your advisor is unavailable or if you are experiencing an emergency, in BEE contact Brenda Marchewka (607-255-2173; bee-ugrad [at] cornell.edu (bee-ugrad[at]cornell[dot]edu)) or Professor Steinschneider (607-255-2155; ss3378 [at] cornell.edu (ss3378[at]cornell[dot]edu)) and in CEE contact Nicholas Wagner (607-255-3412, nw346 [at] cornell.edu (nw346[at]cornell[dot]edu)) or Professor Cowen (607-255-5140, eac20 [at] cornell.edu (eac20[at]cornell[dot]edu)). They will work with you and bring your advisor into the loop as quickly as possible.
- Be prepared to think about the big picture. Your future plans may change, but it helps both you and your advisor to see in the beginning where you think you are headed.
- Always have a copy of your schedule or a list of courses with you when you meet with your advisor to discuss pre-enroll.
- Make a list of questions and concerns that you want to discuss with your advisor before you meet so you remember everything that is important.
- Share good news and personal accomplishments with your advisor. This helps them get to know you and gives you another good reason to say hello.
If you have questions about your academic focus or decide to make some changes in the direction of your education, you may change faculty advisors (or majors) if your interests shift. To change advisors in BEE or CEE, contact Professor Steinschneider or Professor Cowen to discuss your situation. Contact the Counseling and Advising Office in Roberts Hall at 607-255-2257 if you are seeking a new major in CALS. Contact the College of Engineering Advising Office in 180 Rhodes Hall at 607-255-7414 if you are seeking to transfer to a different Engineering field. Environmental Engineering Advisors are knowledgeable about other majors in both colleges, and will talk with you even if you feel you might want to change majors. Our interest is in your education and what is best for you!