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FAQs

Coursework/Academic Help

Which general chemistry class sequence should I take? CHEM 2070-2080 or CHEM 2150?

CHEM 2150 is intended for students who have taken AP Chemistry, received a 5 on the exam, and are entering Cornell with a strong foundation in general chemistry. If this describes you, consider taking CHEM 2150! If you have not taken AP Chemistry in high school but have taken two years of high school chemistry or equivalent, you can reach out to the professor and ask for permission to enroll!

CHEM 2150 is a great option as it allows you to combine the two semester sequence introductory chemistry sequence of CHEM 2070-2080 into one semester, freeing up your time to take more chemistry classes in the future!

For more information, see the chemistry department website.

Which organic chemistry class sequence should I take? CHEM 1570, CHEM 3530, CHEM 3570-3580, or CHEM 3590-3600?

CHEM 1570 and CHEM 3530 are intended for non-chemistry majors. The CHEM 3570-3580 series is generally taken by the majority of chemistry majors, biology majors, and pre-medical students. The CHEM 3590-3600 series is for students interested in taking the honors curriculum. You do not have to take CHEM 2150 to taken CHEM 3590-3600.

Laboratory Work

When should I start looking to join a research lab?

It is totally up to the individual to decide when to begin research. Research is a large commitment, so it is better to take your time than rush into it. It depends on your schedule, availability, interests, etc.

Do not feel pressured to join a research lab right off the bat! Many people will begin research their sophomore year, which is totally acceptable! It is better to wait and find a lab you are really interested in rather than rush into joining a research lab that does not fit your interests. Many times, professors also ask that you take a specific class first (ex: Organic Chemistry) before joining their lab so you have the foundations down.

How do I find a position in a research lab?

A great place to start is to research professors on campus that are doing research in your area of interest, whether that be Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc. All of this information can be found on the Chemistry Department website. After compiling a list of labs you would be interested in, email email email! This is a great way to get in touch with professors, & make sure to also send follow up emails if you don’t get a response. Professors are busy too, so don’t feel discouraged if you don’t get a response right away.

When emailing professors, it is good practice to make your intentions clear about your interest in research with them. Providing them with your resume, transcript, and highlighting relevant coursework in your email is also useful!

How do I find a summer internship?

There are many opportunities for summer research opportunities or internships, both at Cornell, other universities, and in industry.

If you hope to stay at Cornell for the summer, one great opportunity to consider is the Cornell NEXUS Scholars Program. More information regarding this program can be found here.

One great place to look for summer research opportunities outside of Cornell is the NSF REU: Research Experience for Undergraduates website, which can be found here.

Regarding industry related internships, check out Cornell’s handshake platform! Handshake is a platform where different companies can post their internship listings for students to apply to. The website can be found here. LinkedIn and Indeed are also helpful resources for finding internships.

Common companies Cornell students apply to for internships include Merck, Pfizer & Regeneron, to name a few. More commonly, these companies are looking for upperclassmen with more class/research experience, so don’t feel discouraged if you haven’t landed an internship yet! It takes time.

Do not feel pressured to have an internship the summer after freshman year. It is okay to ease your way into academia/research/internships and take time off for the summer. Working, volunteering, or taking a class during the summer is another option, and is perfectly okay!

How do I take research for credit?

At Cornell, 1 credit = 3 hours of research per week. How many research credits you enroll in depends on how much time you commit to each week of research. Commonly, freshmen/sophomores will enroll in 2-3 research credits, and juniors/sophomores will enroll in 3 or more.

This is something you should further discuss with your research advisor! Once you have done that, all you need to do is fill out this form that your advisor will then need to approve.

Other Advice

How do students get involved in the chemistry department at Cornell?

There are many opportunities to get involved, both socially and academically. Many students TA chemistry courses (ex: CHEM 2070), do research on campus, or become a tutor at the Learning Strategies Center. There are also several social clubs including Women in Chemistry, Alpha Chi Sigma: the professional Chemistry Fraternity, as well as CPA!

How do I get to know my professors in large classes?

One of the best ways to get to know your professors in large classes is to attend their office hours. This gives you an opportunity to not only review any topics you might need help with, but to also speak with your professors in smaller settings. If you attend office hours regularly, your professors will get to know your name and face. If you cannot attend office hours, you can always stay after class to ask your questions.

What kind of post-graduation plans do chemistry majors typically have?

Chemistry majors tend to pursue additional post-graduate education such as graduate school, medical school, or veterinary school. Some chemistry undergraduates decide to enter the work force right after graduating, either by staying in academia, moving to industry (pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, etc.), or consulting.

How many hours per week can I expect to spend on a chemistry class?

This depends on which class you take. The majority of chemistry classes are four credits, but the amount of time you spend can differ greatly. In general, lab classes are more time consuming than lecture courses, especially because chemistry labs meet for three hour blocks either once or twice a week.

Chemistry Research Symposium Spring ’23