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Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of frequently asked questions from across the offices supporting Columbia College and Columbia Engineering collected here in one place for your convenience. You can browse by topic/department or search by keyword.

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Columbia College, Berick Center for Student Advising

What’s the difference between majors, minors, and concentrations?

Columbia College students who matriculated in or after Fall 2024 are required to complete the requirements for a major. Students may also select additional programs of study such as minors or "special concentrations." Students may not declare more than two majors, or more than three total programs of study.

Please refer to the Academic Requirements section of the Columbia College Bulletin for more information about majors, minors and special programs.

Students who matriculated in Fall 2023 or before are eligible to complete a concentration (but not a special concentration) in place of a major.

I want to major in economics. What should I take?

A sample schedule for your first semester may include Principles of Economics and Calculus I or Calculus III.

I want to major in the humanities or social sciences. Which classes should I take?

Take courses in the subject matters of interest. For example, if you are interested in history, take some history classes that sound interesting. Typically, it is a good idea to take introductory classes at the1000- or 2000-level. Classes at the 3000- or 4000-level, especially seminars, are often taken by juniors and seniors who are more advanced in the subject matter.

I’m not sure what I want to major in. Which classes should I take?

Take a variety of classes that interest you! Your first year is a great time to explore classes and to figure out what you are really passionate about. Peruse the Directory of Classes and the CC Bulletin, or search for classes that work with your schedule in Vergil. You may also take classes that fulfill your core requirements, such as a foreign language, a Global Core class, or a class that fulfills the science requirement. Make sure to have back-up options in case your first-choice classes fill up.

I want to be a science major. What should I take?

Consult the requirements for your prospective major in the CC Bulletin. Students planning to study biology, chemistry, or physics should plan to take General Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus their first semester.

How do I change my section of Literature Humanities or Frontiers of Science?

If you would like to switch your Literature Humanities class or your Frontiers of Science discussion section due to a scheduling conflict, you can attempt to switch into a section with an opening using the change section function in Vergil during your first registration appointment or any subsequent registration appointment. 

If you are unable to switch sections on your own, you may submit a change request petition to the Core office at the start of the semester. More information about Core registration policies and petitions is available here.

How do I change sections of University Writing?

University Writing sections cannot be changed in Vergil.  Requests must be submitted to the Undergraduate Writing Program by emailing english-cc1010-petitions@columbia.edu.

Can I switch the order in which I take University Writing and Frontiers of Science?

To switch from Frontiers of Science to University Writing, students must submit a petition to the Undergraduate Writing Program by emailing english-cc1010-petitions@columbia.edu.

To switch from University Writing to Frontiers of Science, students must submit a petition to the Core office.

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