Core Courses
Spring Term Courses
Spring Term courses are divided into two categories: Core Courses and Concentration Courses.
- Core Courses: These classes are required for all students in their first year, regardless of the major they declare. They cover a wide range of topics, from introductory courses on math and science to more advanced classes like Computer Science 101 or Physics for Poets.Â
- These courses are taught by professors from across different departments at Columbia University; this means that you will get exposure to many different perspectives and take advantage of opportunities provided by working with scholars from other schools within the university (e.g., Barnard College).
- Concentration Courses: These courses allow you to specialize in one area of study during your undergraduate years at Columbia University while still taking advantage of some general education requirements, such as foreign language proficiency or quantitative reasoning skills needed for any career path that requires strong analytical thinking skills
Fall Term Courses
Fall Term is the first term of the academic year and also marks the beginning of your academic career at Columbia. It’s a time to get to know yourself, explore new interests, and connect with classmates.
All first-year students must take courses during Fall Term that cover topics such as writing skills, critical thinking, oral communication skills (spoken English), quantitative reasoning (math), and humanities survey courses related to your major. These courses are designed for you and future generations of students at Columbia: they’re taught by expert faculty trained in teaching methods that help students learn effectively while developing confidence in their ability to succeed academically at an elite institution like ours!
Summer Term Courses
Summer courses are only available to students who have completed at least one year of study at Columbia. The same faculty teach these courses as our regular courses, but they provide an opportunity to get ahead or catch up on coursework during the summer months when many other universities are closed.
Summer Term also offers a selection of exciting and challenging non-credit workshops that allow you to explore new interests outside your major field of study and connect with other students who share those interests (or want to learn something new). These workshops are open to GS undergrads and alumni from all over campus!
Courses are designed to provide you with a solid foundation in the liberal arts and to familiarize you with the specific requirements of your intended field of concentration. We offer over 200 undergraduate and graduate courses that span eight schools:
- School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
- School of Arts & Sciences (SAS)
- Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Sloan School at Columbia Business School