Hey everyone, I'm looking into Columbia University and noticed that they have both Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. What is the difference between these two schools within the University and what majors or programs do they offer?
Hello! Columbia University comprises of several undergraduate schools, including Columbia College (CC) and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (Columbia Engineering or SEAS). The primary differences between these two schools lie in their focus, programs, and curriculum.
Columbia College primarily focuses on liberal arts and sciences and offers over 80 majors across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Popular majors at CC include economics, political science, history, and English, among others. Columbia College follows the Core Curriculum, a set of foundational courses covering literature, philosophy, history, science, art, and more. These courses are designed to expose students to a wide range of disciplines and provide a broad education.
Columbia Engineering, on the other hand, emphasizes engineering and applied sciences. It offers undergraduate programs in various engineering disciplines such as civil, electrical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering as well as applied science majors including computer science, applied math, and applied physics. SEAS has a more STEM-focused curriculum and offers a modified version of the Core Curriculum called the SEAS Core. Students at SEAS will generally take fewer humanities courses and more technical courses tailored to their major.
Both schools are part of the same university, so all undergraduate students have access to Columbia's resources, clubs, and extracurriculars. Additionally, students from both schools can take courses from the other, allowing them to explore their interests beyond their own school's curriculum.
Overall, you should consider applying to Columbia College if you are interested in pursuing a liberal arts education or majoring in humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. On the other hand, if you're interested in a STEM-focused education with an emphasis on engineering and applied sciences, Columbia Engineering might be a better fit for you. Be sure to explore their respective websites and programs to see what suits you best.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.