New Students



A message from the Director of Undergraduate Studies:

We are looking forward to meeting you at Orientation Day in August. Below, we describe the Human Development major and give you some guidelines for picking courses in which to enroll for the fall semester. On Orientation Day, Monday, August 20th, you will meet with Human Development major advisers and will learn how to make adjustments to the courses you are choosing this summer, if necessary. Find the Human Development Learning Goals here.

We think we offer one of the most exciting and versatile programs in the College of Human Ecology. Human Development (HD) majors explore the psychological, social, cultural, and biological development of people from conception to old age, focusing on the processes and mechanisms of growth and change over the life course. A wide range of issues are included in the study of human development, including biological, cognitive, and emotional development; the role of family, neighborhood, workplace, and culture in development; and the influence that developing humans have on their environment.  The program of study can be the foundation for a number of professional careers.  Human Development majors have gone on to careers in medicine, clinical and counseling psychology, law, business, public health, social work, teaching, and many other areas.

If you are a transfer student, the information for first year students is relevant, but we also have a special section below that makes enrollment suggestions for you.

Freshmen - First Semester (details...)

We strongly recommend that you take the following courses during your first semester at Cornell:
  • HD 1150 Introduction to Human Development:  Infancy and Childhood
  • PSYCH 1101 Introduction to Psychology
  • An introductory course in Biology (see details)
  • First year Writing Seminar
  • One additional class (see details)
  • A physical education class

Special Note for Pre-med students (details...)

If you are a pre-med student, you will also be advised to enroll in CHEM 2070. If you have a very strong background in Biology and Chemistry from high school (honors, an AP score of 5, or other college level classes), you can enroll in both Chemistry and a Biology class.   Medical schools will admit you only if you have excellent grades in Biology and Chemistry, and sometimes taking two science courses in your first semester can lead to receiving lower grades in both.  If you are committed to a career in medicine, you can easily take your first Biology class in your second semester (or even second year) at Cornell. (That works as well for the HD major.)If you are considering medicine as a career but you have not taken AP or honors classes in Biology and Chemistry, we recommend that you take CHEM 2070 in your first semester and take Biology later.

Transfer Students - First Semester

Remember that the first year guidelines are also relevant for you.  This section addresses some of the specific needs of transfer students. Since you are a transfer student to the college, you will have already received some information from the college about how your previous courses will transfer to Human Ecology and (perhaps) count toward Human Development major requirements.
It is important to remember that you will have time after Orientation on August 22 to adjust your schedule after pre-enrollment.  If you are a transfer student, it is especially important to come to HD Orientation.  HD major advisers will meet with you individually to help you adjust your schedule.

Transferring as a junior?

You are very likely to have already fulfilled many or all of the college requirements in the college (natural science, social science, humanities, and perhaps statistics).  Thus if you are a junior, you should concentrate on fulfilling any remaining college requirements as well as registering for two courses in the HD major your first semester.  It is especially important to complete HD 1150 and the 2000 level course requirements in the major.

Transferring as a sophomore?

You should also try to enroll in at least two HD classes your first semester (e.g., HD 1150 and a 2000 level class) as well as complete college requirements as soon as possible.
HD major advisers will be available at Orientation to help you adjust your schedule from pre-enrollment.

AP Credit (complete details...)

Many of you are bringing AP credit to Cornell University.  At orientation on August 22, department advisers will speak with you about how AP credit can be used to earn degree credit at Cornell.  If you are pre-med, you should attend a special session on fulfilling pre-medical requirements at Cornell on August 23.  It is very important to note that AP courses in Biology and Chemistry are not a substitute for introductory Biology and Chemistry courses at Cornell. The Cornell courses are designed to help you excel in more advanced science classes required for admission to medical school.  Therefore you would be very well advised to register this summer for introductory Biology and Chemistry at Cornell, even if you have AP credit.

We are very much looking forward to meeting you in the fall. It is very important for all of you to attend Orientation. College and department staff will provide information that is essential for getting off on the right foot at Cornell University.