Independent Major

Overview:

An Independent Major (IM) comprises a Primary Area (32-credit minimum) and a Secondary Area (16-credit minimum), which together form a coherent curriculum. The Primary Area must be any subject area offered by the engineering schools or departments, except Computer Science. The Secondary Area should preferably be from outside engineering in a logically connected subject area or theme comprised of courses taught throughout Cornell (a Secondary Area in another engineering field may be considered).  All courses in the Primary Area and the Secondary Area must be taken for letter grade (no S/U allowed) and students are only allowed one course below a C- across the two areas.

The IM curriculum is individualized and is developed in consultation with two Faculty Advisors (one in the Primary Area and one in the Secondary Area). The combination selected must clearly form, in scope and content, an engineering education and should include engineering design and synthesis, as well as engineering sciences. In addition to 48 credits in the combined Primary and Secondary areas, all requirements of the Engineering Common Curriculum must be met (which will follow the Primary Area curriculum rules for Math, Science, and ENGRD). Students are highly encouraged to propose a course of study that is unique.  Applications to combine coursework from an existing engineering major and coursework for an existing minor will not be approved.  Applications will also not be approved for a Secondary Area in pre-health.

Eligibility:

Open to undergraduate students who wish to apply and affiliate with the IM, or students already affiliated with an engineering major who wish to change their major to the IM, or students from another college at Cornell who wish to internally transfer to the IM.  Students must be in good standing in their current program to apply. Students are encouraged to apply by the end of their sophomore year.  Applications may be accepted through senior year.

Application Process:

An IM application is required.  Students will be asked to develop a program of study in consultation with their two target Faculty Advisors and must be approved by the IM Program Coordinator and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.

• Statement of Purpose - Students must write a statement of purpose outlining the following:
  • a rationale for why the proposed program of study is unique and different from the other engineering majors in the college;
  • 3-5 learning objectives of the proposed program of study and an explanation of why the objectives cannot be satisfied by any of the other majors in the college;
  • a description of how the chosen courses in the Primary and Secondary Areas help meet the learning objectives.
• Course Plan - Students must develop a full course plan for every semester of enrollment through graduation that satisfies the common curriculum requirements, the 32-credit Primary Area, and the 16-credit Secondary Area.
• Faculty Advisor Support - Students must obtain the support and endorsement of two Faculty Advisors (one in the Primary Area and one in the Secondary Area). These faculty must not be visiting faculty.

Timeline:

IM applications and compelling program proposals can take several weeks to months to develop. Students need to plan to spend a significant amount of time writing their statement of purpose and learning objectives, outlining their course plans, and securing two faculty advisors willing to support students in their respective focus areas. Students should not expect to develop an IM application overnight or within a few days of when they want or need to apply.

Application Deadlines:

• For Fall entry = August 15
• For Spring entry = January 15
• For Summer entry = May 15

If approved for the IM, the program becomes a curricular contract to which the student must adhere. Changes to a student’s program after they are accepted into the IM can be made with the support of the appropriate Faculty Advisor. 

Students who complete the IM receive a Bachelor of Science degree, the same degree received by students who complete established majors within the College of Engineering. Like several other majors within the college, the IM is not ABET accredited. Students who intend to seek licensing as a Professional Engineer should be aware that this non-ABET accredited degree program may require additional education, work, and/or experience to qualify for eligibility to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.

Examples of Strong Independent Major Proposals

• Renewable Energy Systems Engineering Primary and Energy Economics and Policy Secondary
• Chemical Engineering Primary and Food Science Secondary
• Operations Research Primary and Languages and Cultures Secondary
• Operations Research Primary and Sports Management Secondary
• Environmental Engineering Primary and Sustainability Secondary
• Information Science, Systems, and Technology Primary and Strategy Secondary
• Biomedical Engineering Primary and Governance and Policy Secondary

View the Independent Major Degree Checklist

For more information on the Independent Major, and to obtain an application, pleasecontact Liane Fitzgerald in Engineering Advising at lnf27@cornell.edu.