Navigating the Core at SEAS

With calendars filled with classes and pantries stocked with snacks for sleepless school nights, the school year is back in full swing. As we get back into the flow of the semester and near the end of the shopping period, understanding how the Core Curriculum differs for students at the School of Engineering and Applied Science can be significant for your career at Columbia.

The Core plays a crucial role in the development of much—needed qualitative and technical skills and is a staple of the Columbia experience. It’s not just a set of requirements, but a pathway to developing the skills you’ll need for your future career. While the Core at SEAS may seem puzzling at first, it gives us the opportunity to discover and enjoy classes from various disciplines—broadening our horizons. The Core at SEAS can be broken down into three categories:

Unlike the Core at Columbia College, engineering students must complete 16 to 18 credits worth of nontechnical requirements. This category includes University Writing, which you are automatically registered for in your first semester at Columbia. A semester in Principles of Economics, along with two semesters of either Masterpieces of Western Literature and Philosophy, Contemporary Civilization, or approved Global Core courses, are required to graduate. Students at SEAS also must take one semester of either Masterpieces of Western Art or Masterpieces of Western Music.

Engineering students must take at least 27 credits worth of nontechnical electives throughout their tenure at Columbia. These electives give students a greater understanding of the scope of the liberal arts and allow them to keep up with the ever-expanding needs of engineering and beyond. The courses are an excellent opportunity to explore humanities concepts you enjoy and step out of your comfort zone. It is important to note that the aforementioned required nontechnical electives fulfill 16 to 18 credits for this requirement, and the remaining 9 to 11 credits can be supplemented with courses from this approved list of classes.

Apart from the liberal arts requirements, SEAS students are expected to enroll in a series of preliminary technical courses to ensure a strong foundation for more challenging technical courses. This includes one semester of chemistry and two semesters of physics at either the 1400, 1600, or 2800 levels. You will be automatically registered for a semester of The Art of Engineering in your first year. In addition to the science requirement, the math series can be started on three levels depending on your proficiency with the subject: Calculus I, Calculus II, or Multivariable Calculus. Regardless of where you begin, all engineering students are expected to take Multivariable Calculus, or Multi as we so lovingly call it. SEAS also has a one-semester computer science requirement; you can fulfill it with any course from this list. Last but not least, depending on your major, one semester of either physics or chemistry lab is mandatory for first and second-year students.

The SEAS Core allows you to explore the curriculum beyond your engineering roots and make the most of your time at Columbia. The Columbia Engineering Bulletin is also an invaluable resource for navigating the Core and the various requirements at SEAS. Additionally, the support and guidance from your academic advisor can help you stay on top of the course, providing reassurance and direction in your academic journey.