Why is it called the "Common Curriculum"?

Part of the curriculum followed by Cornell Engineering students is consistent and required for graduation, regardless of engineering major. Most of the common curriculum is taken prior to applying for affiliation with a major. In addition to the common curriculum, students complete at least 48 more credits toward their major.

The Common Curriculum consists of approximately 75 credits; it includes general courses that cover:

Mathematics
Science
Computing
Engineering Distribution
First-Year Writing Seminars
Engineering Communications
Advisor-Approved Electives
Liberal Studies

Engineering Mathematics Requirement (4 courses)

MATH 1910: Calculus for Engineers
MATH 1920: Multivariable Calculus for Engineers
MATH 2930 or MATH 2940: Differential Equations or Linear Algebra for Engineers
One math course chosen by the major

Engineering Science Requirement (5 courses)

CHEM 2090: Engineering General Chemistry & CHEM 2091: Engineering General Chemistry Laboratory
PHYS 1112: Physics - Mechanics and Heat
PHYS 1110: Introduction to Experimental Physics (must be taken concurrently with PHYS 1112)
PHYS 2213: Physics - Electromagnetism
One science course chosen by the major

* Intro to Biology courses are required as fourth science course for BE and BME majors

Engineering Computing Requirement (1 course)

CS 1110: Introduction to Computing - A Design and Development Perspective or CS 1112: Introduction to Computing - An Engineering and Science Perspective

Note: some majors specify a preference for Engineering Computing, but no majors require one over the other:

Biological Engineering (BE): Recommends CS 1112
Biomedical Engineering (BME): Recommends CS 1112
Chemical Engineering (CHEME): Recommends CS 1112
Civil Engineering (CE): Recommends CS 1112
Computer Science (CS): No preference
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (EAS): No Preference
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE): No Preference
Environmental Engineering (ENVE): Recommends CS 1112
Engineering Physics (EP): Recommends CS 1112
Independent Major (IM): No preference
Information Science, Systems, and Technology (ISST): No Preference
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE): Recommends CS 1112
Mechanical Engineering (MECHE): Strongly Recommends CS 1112
Operations Research Engineering (ORE): Recommends CS 1110

Engineering Distribution (3 courses)

ENGRI: Introduction to Engineering
ENGRD: Engineering Distribution course required by the major
ENGRD: Engineering Distribution course of your choice from a different category than the ENGRD required by the major

First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS) (2 courses)

Transfer students are recommended to take ENGL 2880, Expository Writing, which can substitute for FWS credit, instead of taking a standard FWS course. More information about this and the FWS requirement can be found here.

Liberal Studies (6 courses, totaling at least 18 credits)

At least 6 courses totaling a minimum of 18 credits:
- Chosen from the 7 groups below, based on content area (Note: Courses which are assigned multiple liberal studies categories (i.e., SSC-AS, HST-AG) may only be applied towards one of those categories);
- Must have completed courses from at least 3 different groups from those 7 groups, with at least 3 or more credits coming from Group 7 (RE);
- No more than two courses may be chosen from Group 6 (CE);
- At least two courses must be at the 2000-level or higher.

Liberal Studies Groups

Group 1: Cultural Analysis, Literature and the Arts, Social Differences
Group 2: Historical Analysis
Group 3: Ethics, Cognition, and Moral Reasoning
Group 4: Social Science and Global Citizenship
Group 5: Foreign Languages
Group 6: Communications in Engineering
Group 7: Race and Equity

Engineering Communications (1 course - credits vary)

An Engineering Communications course can be chosen from several options, and depending on the course, it can count as either an ENGRD, Liberal Studies, Major course, or an Advisor-Approved Elective.
Some majors specify a preferred Engineering Communications course.
This course is not typically taken until after affiliation. Consult the Engineering Communications Website for more information.

Advisor-Approved Electives (6 credits)

Six credits of electives approved by your faculty advisor. Must be 1100-level or higher.