The College of Arts & Sciences, Cornell University

Let curiosity be your guide.

Live, study and grow at the nexus of discovery and impact.

A home for exploration and discovery

Our research activities and academic programs are remarkably broad, but they share one characteristic: all are curiosity-driven. Exploring the unknown is central to our mission to be the nexus of discovery and impact.

Explore research and discoveries

yello triangles with holes punched in them, all conntected, on a blue background
Provided The kirigami robot is a hexagonal tiling composed of approximately 100 silicon dioxide panels that are connected through more than 200 actuating hinges.
yello triangles with holes punched in them, all conntected, on a blue background
Provided The kirigami robot is a hexagonal tiling composed of approximately 100 silicon dioxide panels that are connected through more than 200 actuating hinges.
About six students sit in desks and interact using a blue Solo cup while an instructor stands by
Lindsay France/Cornell University In a 2019 evolution course, Michelle Smith, now the Ann S. Bowers Professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) observes students in a hands-on activity. Smith and other DBER researchers study how to improve teaching in STEM courses.
About six students sit in desks and interact using a blue Solo cup while an instructor stands by
Lindsay France/Cornell University In a 2019 evolution course, Michelle Smith, now the Ann S. Bowers Professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) observes students in a hands-on activity. Smith and other DBER researchers study how to improve teaching in STEM courses.
Discipline-Based Education Research

NSF-funded postdocs to research education across disciplines

A&S Communications

Read more A&S news

>2000

Courses offered in A&S of 4000 courses at Cornell.

42

Majors to choose in A&S. Design your education.

~4,600

Students in A&S, each with an extraordinary journey to tell.

65K

A&S alumni in our network. Go Big Red!

A&S Academic Diversity

Uncommon academic diversity abounds here

The innovative undergraduate curriculum at A&S has distribution requirements that range from global citizenship to physical sciences to ethics and the mind. Classes build upon each other and cross the boundaries of traditional academic fields. Extensive work occurs outside of your major and minors, and there are no required core courses. Work closely with inspiring faculty to develop the hallmark skills of a liberal arts and sciences education – the ability to read critically, write persuasively and think broadly.

Beyond Majors & Minors

Research and Scholarship

Research, scholarship and creative works to understand humanity and the cosmos

Curiosity is the driver for research in A&S. From the dendrochronology lab where archaeologists analyze tree-ring growth to understand climate change to the linguistics department where students created a new language for a Captain Marvel movie, our students and faculty take full advantage of all that our world-class research university encompasses.

With opportunities spanning the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, research here takes place in laboratories, museums, field sites, libraries, hospitals, greenhouses, performance spaces and archives.

Explore our research, scholarship and creative works

Public Engagement

Engaging our community and our world

two women sitting on stage
Chris Kitchen Anderson, left, and Peraino, right traced the arc of Anderson's multi-decade career.

Open your mind

Arts Unplugged series

The College of Arts & Sciences’ Arts Unplugged series brings research and creative works into the public sphere for discussion and inspiration. These outreach events invite a broad audience to explore the work of scholars and faculty from all disciplines, all backgrounds and all time periods and to celebrate the impact that work continues to have on our daily lives.

Explore recent and upcoming Arts Unplugged events.

David Folkenflik ’91 (left) moderates the panel “Free Press in a Free Society: U.S. Newsrooms on the Front Lines” with Suzanne Mettler, the John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions in government, and Sewell Chan, editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune.
David Folkenflik ’91 (left) moderates the panel “Free Press in a Free Society: U.S. Newsrooms on the Front Lines” with Suzanne Mettler, the John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions in government, and Sewell Chan, editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune.

Engagement for an informed society

Distinguished Visiting Journalist Program

The College of Arts & Sciences' new Distinguished Visiting Journalist Program brings accomplished journalists to Cornell for extended visits. The program aims to recognize excellence in journalism and to provide opportunities for select journalists and the university community to engage with each other. 

Learn more about the program.

Faculty in the news

Forbes

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New York Times

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Psychology

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Newsweek

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Government

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US News & World Report

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Gustavo A. Flores-Macías

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Government

09/10/2024

A&S Events

Upcoming Events

Sep 16Monday 7:30 Willard Straight Hall: Memorial Room Sep 19Thursday 5:00 Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium: Goldwin Smith Hall 132 Sep 20Friday 5:30 Goldwin Smith Hall: 132