Paths to Success in the Biological Sciences Major
This course is for first-year students entering or intending to enter the Biological Sciences major in either the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) or College of Arts & Sciences. This course will empower you to find your purpose as part of a diverse and inclusive global community of learners and focuses on facilitating your transition to college life, developing your academic identity, and making your time at Cornell a meaningful experience. You will develop a learning community, identify your support network, and explore what Cornell offers to you as a first-year student. We will work with you to develop skills for balancing academic success with extracurricular and interpersonal activities during your time in the major.
Topics
- Students will be able to describe what you can learn and experience in your major and develop potential paths associated with your major.
- Students will be able to identify your academic goals and the opportunities, resources and services that are available to help you meet these goals.
- Students will be able to identify and acknowledge your social identity, cultural rules, and biases, along with the inherent value of being open to diverse perspectives.
- Students will be able to communicate effectively and professionally with members of the Cornell community.
- Students will be able to develop and maintain a learning community and a support network.
- Students will be able to engage in self-reflection about how you think and learn, how you interact with others, how to navigate your academic experience ethically and with integrity, and how you respond to new information.
Official roster learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027