Before you register for classes, you will meet virtually with your CSA adviser to ask any questions you may have about courses of study, life at Columbia, potential majors, and anything else affecting how you plan your class schedule.
You’ll sign up for classes during an assigned registration window, which you'll be able to find in Vergil under "Registration Appointments."
Not sure what classes to take? It is common for an incoming student to have an incomplete schedule at the end of the first registration period. You will have the opportunity to finalize your schedule during the first two weeks of classes, which is the "Change of Program Period," during which students adjust their schedules and try different classes.
Before your meeting with your CSA adviser, please review the Academic Planning Guide, an essential resource for your first year at Columbia that covers all requirements and policies specific to your term of entry.
Your school's Bulletin will provide detailed information about required courses and prospective majors. It also outlines the rules, regulations, and disciplinary procedures that govern your school.
View the 2023-24 Columbia College Bulletin.
The 2023-24 Columbia Engineering Bulletin is forthcoming.
Vergil is your hub for course exploration and selection. It allows you to search for courses by instructor, date and time, department, subject area, key words, and more. Vergil’s Course Planner and graphical calendar interface enable you to keep track of courses of interest and export your projected schedule to your other calendar apps. You can also browse courses, syllabi, and textbook information.
Vergil is also where you’ll access your student records, including grades, registration appointments, class schedules, financial aid information, and account details. Official transcripts may also be ordered via Vergil. To access this information, you must first activate your Columbia UNI. Among the many useful tools in Vergil is the Degree Audit Report (DAR). The DAR is a way for students to monitor their progress toward degree completion. Keep in mind that the DAR is a tool and not your formal transcript. All degree and major requirements are set forth in your school’s bulletin.
The Directory of Classes contains the schedules for all courses offered in all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia University (with the exception of Teachers College). Students should use their respective school Bulletins for registration purposes, since not all courses in the Directory of Classes are open to undergraduates. Contact your CSA adviser if you have any questions about which courses are available to you.
The Columbia University Bookstore, located in Lerner Hall, is your source for course materials. Your professors will provide information about required materials on course syllabi, which you will receive on the first day of class. Visit the Columbia University Bookstore website to buy or rent your materials and choose to have them delivered or pick them up in-store.
You can manage your courses with CourseWorks (also known as “CW” or “Canvas”), which is Columbia's learning management system. On CourseWorks, you can access your syllabi, discussion boards, online assignments, and tests.