Cornell University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

In this major, students address important environmental and development issues, such as fate and transport of contaminants in natural aquatic systems, water and wastewater treatment processes, design and management of environmental and water resource systems, environmental fluid mechanics, and hydraulics and hydrology, and the recycling of energy and materials. Others pursue sustainable energy generation either by solar, wind, hydropower or geothermal resources so as to provide energy to support our standard of living while diminishing emissions of greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants.

Our International Agriculture and Rural Development (IARD) major is designed for students who are interested in tackling the unique and interdisciplinary issues associated with food systems and rural development in emerging nations. Students have the opportunity to gain meaningful experience, hands-on by participating in projects and research all over the world.  Students will develop skills to address poverty and hunger through innovations in agriculture, increase food security, advance science and policy related to sustainable development, and contribute to the economic development of emerging economies by strengthening private strategies and informing public policies.

The interdisciplinary curriculum provides a comprehensive and integrated view of the biological, physical-chemical, ecological, human, and social dimensions of the environment. It’s designed to advance students’ ability to solve real-world environmental problems, environmental policy decisions, resource management actions, biodiversity conservation, and human health.

1) Agricultural Sciences: The Agricultural Sciences major allows students to Develop leadership and critical thinking skills through a first-semester cohort course and gain practical, hands-on experience through lab and field courses. The interdisciplinary curriculum is based on science of agricultural systems and the related environmental and socio-economic issues, including sustainable agriculture, integrated pest management, genetics, soil, plant, animal and food science, business management and international agriculture.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/agricultural-sciences-major) 
2) Animal Science: The Animal Science major prepares students for study in veterinary medicine or careers in animal production, biotechnology and conservation and has been nationally recognized for its work in animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior and management. The program expands students’ knowledge about the biology and management of domestic animals, as well as how to use this information to work to make a positive impact in the world.
3) Biological Engineering: Biological Engineering students learn to combine the power of engineering principles and techniques with the rapidly developing science of biology.  The program emphasizes problem solving and design through biological engineering. Students are expected to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors, and to recognize the related ethical and professional responsibilities. Some students and graduates are working to ensure safe and sustainable food and energy supplies, protect natural resources, develop devices to monitor or intervene in the mechanisms of living organisms and use biological materials in other new and innovative ways. (https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/biological-engineering-major) 
4) Developmental Sociology: Students majoring in Development Sociology gain an understanding in societal development and factors to solve social problems, both local and global. The department is well known for international, domestic, rural, environmental, agricultural and population studies. Faculty and students in the department conduct theoretical and applied research, teaching and outreach on the causes, dynamics and consequences of social, cultural, political and economic change.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/development-sociology-major-minor)
5) Design + Environmental Analysis: The Design + Environmental Analysis (D+EA) major combines innovative design thinking with insightful design research to understand how our daily lives are impacted by our built environment. Through multidisciplinary training in human-centered design, environmental psychology, ergonomics, and facility strategy and management, students tackle problems from a systems view - people, process and place - to create strategic sustainable and healthy futures by design. Sustainable features include green ergonomics, sustainable materials and processes, life-cycle evaluation and LEED, regenerative and resilient design, and triple bottom line: E3.
(https://www.human.cornell.edu/hcd/academics/undergraduate-study/design-and-environmental-analysis)
6) Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Earth and atmospheric sciences graduates will be able to ​​seek careers dealing with energy, mineral and water resources, natural hazards, weather and climate forecasting, ocean resources, and a host of environmental issues through employment in academia, government and the private sector. The major also prepares students for careers in environmental management and policy, law or medicine, science journalism and K-12 science education. (https://www.eas.cornell.edu/eas/programs/undergraduate-programs/babs-earth-and-atmospheric-sciences)
7) Entomology: The Entomology major provides an education in biological and environmental sciences, with a special emphasis on insects. Students may begin careers in various aspects of basic or applied insect biology including integrated pest management, insect pathology, environmental assessment, medical or veterinary entomology, insect toxicology, apiculture, insect systematics or insect ecology.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/entomology-major-minor)
8) Fashion Design and Management: The Fashion Design Management option within the Fashion Design & Management major focuses on the processes used to design, manufacture, and market apparel and textile products. Students explore design, materials, production and supply chain, marketing, communications, and entrepreneurship, as well as the impact of developing technologies and fashion sustainability.
(https://www.human.cornell.edu/hcd/academics/undergraduate-study/fashion-design-and-management)
9) Food Science: The Food Science major allows students to gain skills and advance their knowledge so they can make meaningful contributions toward ensuring that all people have access to a safe, healthy, affordable and sustainable food supply. Students focus on safety, quality, and environmental impact of the available food supply, as well as various methods of waste reutilization.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/food-science-major-minor) 
10) Global and Public Health Sciences: The Global and Public Health Sciences (GPHS) major is intended for students who are interested in the health problems of communities and the actions that will protect or improve the lives of large numbers of individuals. These actions typically require a multidisciplinary approach that involves the biomedical, social, behavioral, political and environmental sciences, and a careful consideration of cultural and ethnic contexts. Public health actions often address such issues as obesity and diabetes, food security, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, quality of food, water and air, and access to health care.
(https://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/academics/undergraduate/majors/gphs)
11) Landscape Architecture: The major prepares students to become designers, researchers and future leaders who will direct teams of experts as they address issues of infrastructure, water management, sea-level rise, flooding, cultural heritage and environmental justice. Students develop projects ranging from intimate gardens to parks, towns, cities and broader regions.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/landscape-architecture)
12) Nutritional Sciences: Our Nutritional Science program draws upon chemistry, biology and the social sciences to understand complex relationships among human health and well-being, food and lifestyle patterns, food and agricultural systems and institutional environments. (https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/nutritional-sciences-major) 
13) Plant Sciences: Plant Sciences is the study of plant growth, reproduction, evolution, and adaptation, as well as the use of plants for food, fiber, and ornamental purposes. Plant science expertise will allow students to tackle issues focused on producing enough food for a growing world population, breeding plants to tolerate the heat- and drought-stress caused by climate change, developing sustainable cropping practices to produce healthful and nutritious food etc.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/plant-sciences-major-minor)
14) Urban and Regional Studies: The Urban and Regional Studies curriculum focuses on the vast spectrum of social and economic forces that have changed cities. Students analyze what these changes mean for people in their daily lives, and how citizens, community groups, and planners can work together to make productive, sustainable, safe, lively, and livable places.
(https://aap.cornell.edu/academics/crp/undergraduate/bs-urs-degree-details)

The minor enables students with majors in fields such as applied economics and management, communication, Environment and Sustainability, International and Rural Development, and sociology to gain technical and scientific knowledge for careers in areas such as food production systems, evaluating effects of climate change on food security, and policy related to agricultural sustainability.

The Minor in Community Food Systems enables students to engage with critical contemporary issues relating to food security, food sovereignty, and food justice. The CFS Minor integrates interdisciplinary course work with community-based learning and research opportunities that together help students contribute to more sustainable and equitable food systems.

Sustainable Energy Systems: The requirements of the minor are designed to provide breadth across a range of energy resource types and conversion, transmission and storage technologies along with coverage of the environmental, economic, political, and social consequences of various options.

1) Climate Change: The climate change minor gives students the opportunity to explore climate change from varied disciplinary perspectives while gaining a firm grounding in the basic physical, ecological, and social science as well as its interactions with history, philosophy and the arts.
(https://www.eas.cornell.edu/eas/programs/undergraduate-programs/undergraduate-minors/climate-change-minor)
2) Design & Environmental Analysis: The curriculum is organized around the following three primary research themes: Design Strategy, Sustainable Futures, Health and Well-Being. Sustainable features include green ergonomics, sustainable materials and processes, life-cycle evaluation and LEED, regenerative and resilient design, and triple bottom line: E3.
(https://www.human.cornell.edu/dea/academics/undergraduate/minors/dea)
3) Earth and Atmospheric Systems: This minor will prepare engineering students to understand the natural operating systems of Earth and the tools and techniques used by earth scientists to understand and monitor these solid and fluid systems. The curriculum covers issues dealing with energy, mineral and water resources, natural hazards etc. (https://www.eas.cornell.edu/eas/programs/undergraduate-programs/undergraduate-minors/earth-and-atmospheric-sciences-minor)
4) Entomology: The minor prepares students to be able to identify the potential impact of different insect species on agriculture, human health, and society in general, and to be knowledgeable about potential control strategies. (https://entomology.cals.cornell.edu/undergraduate/courses/requirements-minor-entomology)
5) Environment and Sustainability: The minor in Environment & Sustainability offers a structured yet flexible pathway for students interested in an integrated analysis of environment and sustainability issues. Students develop relevant knowledge and skills through a combination of courses in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. (https://cals.cornell.edu/environment-sustainability/education/es-minor)
6) Environmental Engineering: This minor encourages engineering students to learn about the scientific, engineering, and economic foundations of environmental engineering so that they are better able to address environmental management and sustainability issues. (https://www.cee.cornell.edu/cee/programs/undergraduate-programs/minor/environmental-engineering)
7) Fungal Biology: The minor provides students with a broad introduction to fungi, their lifestyles and biology, and their roles in ecosystems and human affairs. The human, animal, and plant diseases caused by fungi are threats to global health.
(https://cals.cornell.edu/school-integrative-plant-science/degrees-programs/undergraduate-plant-sciences-major/minors/fungal-biology-minor)
8) Global Health: The Global Health minor is intended to explore contemporary issues, problems, and controversies in global health through an interdisciplinary perspective. The curriculum covers the global burden of disease and examines complex social, economic, political, environmental, and biological factors that structure the origins, consequences, and possible treatments of global health problems. A critical element of the minor is an approved, eight-week experiential learning opportunity to deepen their understanding of the health problems that disproportionately affect underserved communities.
(https://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/academics/undergraduateminors/global)
9) Horticulture: The Minor Program of Study in Horticulture aims to increase students’ knowledge and skills for managing fruits, vegetables and landscape plants for the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals and communities (https://cals.cornell.edu/school-integrative-plant-science/degrees-programs/undergraduate-plant-sciences-major/minors/horticulture-minor)
10) Infectious Disease Biology: The Infectious Disease Biology Minor provides students with a broad perspective on health and disease, the dynamic nature of host-associated microbes, an in-depth understanding of the origins and dynamics of infectious diseases, and contemporary thought about the nature of health, disease, and disease management. Studies also focus on the intensification of diseases around the world linked to human activity, which has brought about habitat transformation, climate change, biological invasions, environmental contamination, and ensuing losses of biodiversity. (https://micro.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/minors/infectious-disease/)
11) International Development Studies: This minor is designed to provide a suitable complementary set of international development courses focused on interdisciplinary issues associated with food systems and rural development in emerging nations (http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/undergrad/iard-minor)
12) International Trade & Development: Students apply practical, applied economics and management tools to solve the world's most significant business and social issues. The minor highlights the economics of food and agriculture. (https://business.cornell.edu/programs/undergraduate/minors/international-trade-and-development/)
13) Inequality Studies: The Minor in Inequality Studies exposes students to inequality through a breadth of approaches, methods, and topics to explore the social causes and consequences of inequalities in life expectancy, health outcomes, health-promoting behaviors, and access to health care. (http://inequality.cornell.edu/minor/)
14) Landscape Studies: The minor enables students to study the dynamics of landscape and environmental topics within the department. Landscape studies address urgent challenges of coupled human and environmental systems at the threshold of profound environmental change. (https://landscape.cals.cornell.edu/undergraduate/minor)
15) Marine Biology: Students learn about the biology, evolution and ecology of organisms that inhabit these environments and the ecological processes linking them. The curriculum focuses on the consequences and feedback of interactions upon the environment, especially due to anthropogenic and global climatic perturbations over evolutionary history. (https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/marine-biology-minor)
16) Nutrition & Health: The curriculum covers the topics of human health and nutrition, economic influences on human nutrition, epidemiology and public health, food quality and food service management, nutritional biochemistry, and the psychological and social influences on human nutrition. (https://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/academics/undergraduateminors/nutritionhealth)
17) Plant Breeding: The minor provides a basic understanding of crop improvement, a historical perspective of the discipline, and a sense of how plant breeding contributes to modern society’s demands for food, fiber, fuel, and environmental sustainability (https://sips.cals.cornell.edu/undergraduate/minors/plant-breeding/)
18) Public Service Studies: The minor provides students with intellectual frameworks for developing and sustaining commitments to community engagement and global citizenship. Students gain critical thinking tools for reflecting about and promoting social change.
(https://anthropology.cornell.edu/-public-service-studies-minor)
19) Soil Science: A minor in Soil Science prepares students for work on agricultural and natural ecosystems by learning to identify, understand and manage soils in agriculture and forestry in an environmentally responsible way. (https://cals.cornell.edu/school-integrative-plant-science/degrees-programs/undergraduate-plant-sciences-major/minors/soil-science-minor)
20) Sustainable Business and Economic Policy: The minor equips students with frameworks and tools to understand the interrelationship between the economy and the environment. Students learn about the role of government in addressing environmental problems as well as emerging opportunities for private businesses as we transition to more sustainable economic development.
(https://business.cornell.edu/programs/undergraduate/minors/sustainable-business-economic-policy/)
21) Urban & Regional Studies: The minor encompasses an interdisciplinary course of study focused on the forces that shape the social, economic, and political character and physical form of urban/suburban areas and their surrounding regions. (https://aap.cornell.edu/urban-and-regional-studies-minor)