Applied to through a college
Cornell says you apply directly to one of its colleges or schools. Cornell Admissions lists Human Biology, Health, and Society under Human Ecology.
Undergraduate · Cornell Human Ecology
Cornell Human Biology, Health, and Society: biology with a social-science lens
Cornell applicants apply directly to one of its colleges or schools, and Human Biology, Health and Society (HBHS) is a major in the College of Human Ecology. The college describes a strong background in human biology with health examined from social, psychological, economic, cultural, design and policy angles. This guide sets out what the page says.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Cornell says about Cornell Human Biology, Health, and Society
Taken from Cornell Human Ecology's Human Biology, Health and Society degree page, Cornell Admissions' Majors, First-Year Applicants and Standardized Testing Policy pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Cornell's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A Human Ecology major
Cornell Admissions lists it under Human Ecology.
A biology and chemistry core
Introductory chemistry and biology, organic chemistry, physiology and biochemistry.
Physics and calculus too
A term of each is required.
The SAT or ACT is required
Cornell has reinstituted standardized testing and requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Official sources
- Cornell Admissions: First-Year Applicantsadmissions.cornell.edu
- Cornell Admissions: Majorsadmissions.cornell.edu
- Cornell Human Ecology: Human Biology, Health + Societyhuman.cornell.edu
- Cornell Admissions: Standardized Testing Policyadmissions.cornell.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on Cornell Human Ecology's Human Biology, Health and Society degree page, Cornell Admissions' Majors, First-Year Applicants and Standardized Testing Policy pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. The major's curriculum pages, course descriptions, college admission requirements, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name and are not stated.
The major
What the college and department pages say the major is
The college's page says HBHS students build a strong background in human biology while investigating health from a social-science perspective, considering social, psychological, economic, cultural, design and policy influences, and prepare to be empathetic and effective health care practitioners or to work in related fields. After a year of introductory chemistry and biology they take organic chemistry, physiology and biochemistry, choose advanced biology electives, and complete a term of physics and a term of calculus. This guide does not list further requirements.
Is it the right major?
HBHS beside GPHS and Nutritional Sciences
Cornell lists these as separate majors, and the colleges differ, so the choice starts at application. Avandy's comparison is general.
HBHS fits if
you want a biology-heavy health major with social-science context, in Human Ecology.
Global and Public Health Sciences fits if
you want public health. Avandy's Cornell GPHS guide covers it.
Nutritional Sciences fits if
you want nutrition. Avandy's Cornell Nutritional Sciences guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A college application and the SAT or ACT
Cornell says you apply directly to one of its colleges or schools, so the college is part of the application; the pages read list Human Biology, Health, and Society under Human Ecology. Cornell has reinstituted standardized testing and requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. The pages read do not mention A levels or the IB by name, and Cornell says all students must show a strong command of English. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cornell's.
Are chemistry, biology, physics and calculus comfortable foundations?
The major requires all four.
Do you want Human Ecology?
The major is listed only there.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Cornell requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Cornell's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Cornell's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cornell has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Cornell for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the major page and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Cornell University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Cornell University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Which Cornell college is Human Biology, Health, and Society in?
Cornell Admissions lists it under Human Ecology.
Which college is HBHS in?
Cornell Admissions lists it under Human Ecology.
What science does it require?
Chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, physiology, biochemistry, physics and calculus.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Cornell says first-year applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Does Cornell name A levels or the IB on these pages?
No. The pages read do not mention them by name.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cornell's wording with no entry-year label. Check Cornell's pages again when Cornell publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cornell Human Biology, Health, and Society
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology, chemistry and social-science subjects, their interest in health care and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.