Applicants to the Ph.D. must have a baccalaureate degree (bachelor's degree) in an area of engineering, physical science, or biological science with a strong preparation in mathematics and physics. Deficiencies in undergraduate training must be made up early in the advanced degree program.
M.S. and Ph.D. -- three recommendations
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GRE subject tests are not required.
The Graduate School has strict minimum scores for admission. Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum on the Internet-based test - Writing: 20, Listening: 15, Reading: 20, Speaking: 22. Applicants must receive an overall band score of 7.0 or higher for the IELTS exam.
Interests and motivation: The application requires a one- or two-page statement of purpose describing the applicant's reasons for undertaking graduate work as well as an explanation of academic interests, including how they relate to undergraduate study and professional goals.

Related work and/or research experience: Training in a work or research environment can be valuable experience for undertaking graduate studies. Applicants should include a summary of such experience in the statement of purpose.
Prior academic training and record: Applicants to the M.S. or Ph.D. programs must have a baccalaureate degree (bachelor's degree) in an area of engineering, physical science, or biological science with a strong preparation in mathematics and physics. They should have introductory-level knowledge of biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, organic chemistry, physics, statistics, and computer programming plus a working knowledge of calculus and differential equations. Course work or experience in Biological or Environmental Engineering is desirable but is not required.

TOEFL/IELTS scores (for international applicants): High proficiency in the English language is essential for admission to our graduate program. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Students who have studied full-time for two or more years at a college or university in a country in which English is the native language and where English is the language of instruction are exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS. The Graduate School has strict minimum scores for admission. Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum on the Internet-based test - Writing: 20, Listening: 15, Reading: 20, Speaking: 22. Applicants must receive an overall band score of 7.0 or higher for the IELTS exam.

Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or employers who can assess the applicant's academic potential for a graduate program are required.

Interviews: We encourage students to contact perspective faculty members to ascertain mutual interaction. Depending on the time frame and individual situations, prior to acceptance, we may conduct phone interviews with promising applicants to better assess their interests and compatibility with our department as well as his or her communication skills. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the Ithaca campus (at the Field's expense in many cases) to meet with faculty, staff, and students during our spring BEE Research Symposium. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you, but even more importantly for you to get to know us. For applicants for whom visiting Cornell is impractical, we will possibly conduct additional phone/Skype interviews.