BA in Chemistry

The Cornell B.A. in Chemistry combines substantial laboratory coursework with opportunities to participate in faculty-led research, allowing students to move from foundational experiments into more advanced chemical investigation. The major requires eight laboratory credits, including core laboratory courses such as CHEM 2510: Introduction to Experimental Organic Chemistry and CHEM 2900: Introductory Physical Chemistry Laboratory, while undergraduate research can be pursued in Cornell Chemistry laboratories or across disciplines such as biology, physics, mechanical engineering, food science, and veterinary science.

Students build hands-on and research experience through:

• Organic chemistry laboratory: CHEM 2510: Introduction to Experimental Organic Chemistry provides practical experience in synthesis, separation, characterization, chromatography, extraction, crystallization, and infrared spectroscopy, with students completing experiments and pre-lab work through Cornell's Canvas course site.
• Physical chemistry laboratory: CHEM 2900: Introductory Physical Chemistry Laboratory develops experimental skills in chemical equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, calorimetry, and molecular spectroscopy, giving students direct experience with physical-chemistry measurement and analysis.
• Research opportunities: Nearly 80% of Cornell Chemistry majors engage in undergraduate research at some point during their degree. Students can undertake research for academic credit or pay through courses including CHEM 4210: Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry Research, CHEM 4330: Introduction to Analytical Chemistry Research, CHEM 4430: Introduction to Chemical Biology Research, CHEM 4610: Introduction to Organic Chemistry Research, and CHEM 4770: Introduction to Physical Chemistry Research.
• Faculty-led laboratory research: Research students work under the guidance of faculty members and/or graduate students, with projects potentially extending beyond Chemistry into Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Biology, Food Science, and Cornell's Veterinary School.
• Advanced research facilities: Cornell Chemistry provides access to specialized facilities including the Catalyst Development & Discovery Laboratory (CDDL), Mass Spectrometry Facility, NMR Facility, Polymer Characterization Facility, X-Ray Diffraction Facility, Glass Shop, Electronic/Instrument Shop, and departmental Stockroom.
• Honors experimental work: Students pursuing Honors in Chemistry can undertake CHEM 3010: Honors Experimental Chemistry I, CHEM 3020: Honors Analytical Lab, and CHEM 3030: Honors Experimental Chemistry III, covering synthetic organic chemistry, analytical experimentation, spectroscopy, kinetics, and numerical analysis of experimental data.
• Research seminars and workshops: The department provides workshops and seminars on joining research groups and co-sponsors a CHEM Research Symposium with the local section of the American Chemical Society and Ithaca College, giving undergraduate researchers opportunities to engage with the wider chemistry community.
• Research and library work: Cornell's research courses can involve both laboratory and library research, with projects planned in consultation with a faculty member, giving students experience in finding, evaluating, and applying scientific literature alongside experimental work. 

The B.A. in Chemistry at Cornell gives students a foundation in analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, supported by mathematics and physics, with pathways into scientific employment, graduate study, medicine, law, teaching, and other fields. Cornell reports that nearly 80% of Chemistry majors participate in undergraduate research, while the department notes that recent Chemistry & Chemical Biology graduates have progressed into graduate school, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and research roles.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Research Technician, Research Associate, Laboratory Technician.

Career development and progression are supported through:

• Cornell Career Network: Students receive support with career exploration, resumes, graduate and professional-school advising, internships, full-time job searches, fellowships, and employer engagement. Cornell's Handshake platform provides job and internship postings, recruiting information, career fairs, employer information sessions, workshops, and interview opportunities.
• Chemistry-specific research experience: Nearly 80% of Cornell Chemistry majors participate in undergraduate research, with opportunities for academic credit or pay through research courses including CHEM 4210, CHEM 4330, CHEM 4430, CHEM 4610, and CHEM 4770.
• Chemistry career outcomes: Cornell's 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey reported 46% of Chemistry & Chemical Biology majors entering graduate school and 43% entering employment; reported employers included Meta, Google, Caltech, Columbia University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and Weill Cornell Medicine.
• Employment and salary statistics: Cornell Arts & Sciences reports that 66.6% of its Class of 2025 graduates were employed and 28.8% entered graduate school; the overall Arts & Sciences average salary was $88,426 and median salary was $85,500. These figures are for the College of Arts & Sciences overall, not specifically for B.A. Chemistry graduates.
• University–industry connections: Cornell's Center for Materials Research (CCMR) has an industrial outreach program connecting companies and startups with Cornell faculty and research expertise; its JumpStart Program supports company–Cornell materials projects and provides students with exposure to advanced research technologies.
• Long-term professional value: Cornell's standard Chemistry major provides broad preparation across the core chemistry disciplines, while students completing the Honors in Chemistry curriculum can earn an American Chemical Society (ACS)-certified honors curriculum, which includes advanced physical chemistry, experimental laboratories, and a research-intensive capstone.
• Graduation pathways: Cornell Chemistry states that approximately equal portions of its undergraduate classes pursue graduate study in science and engineering, medical school, or other pathways such as law and teaching, giving graduates multiple routes for continued professional development.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.A. in Chemistry, students can continue into Ph.D. or master's programs in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, and related sciences, or pursue professional education such as medical school or law school. Cornell's recent Arts & Sciences outcomes show graduates entering fields including chemistry, biological and life sciences, medicine, engineering, and law, while Chemistry-specific graduates have continued to institutions including Oxford, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton.