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FAQs for All Incoming Students

I’m a SEAS student. What classes should I take my first semester?

All first-semester SEAS students will be pre-registered for University Writing OR Art of Engineering. You should also plan to take General Chemistry; Calculus I or II; Physics; and one other class in consultation with the SEAS Bulletin.

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

Requests to exchange University Writing for Frontiers of Science will be considered. Reach out to your Advising Dean to inquire. 

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How do I request to change sections of University Writing?

University Writing Sections cannot be changed on SSOL.  Requests must be made by petitions submitted to John Stobo in the Undergraduate Writing Center. Process for submitting a petition is TBA.

 
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I want to major in one of the hard sciences. 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.

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I’m a CC student and am not sure what I want to major in. I’m interested in many things! 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 Classesand the CC Bulletin, make a list of classes that interest you, and then put them intoVergil to see what might work best with your schedule.

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I want to major in a discipline 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 that are 1000- or 2000-level.. Classes in the 3000- or 4000-level, especially seminars, are often taken by juniors and seniors who are more advanced in the subject matter.

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

A sample schedule may include: Principles of Economics and Calculus I or Calculus III.

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

Columbia College students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024 may choose either to major or concentrate in a discipline. Concentrations usually have fewer requirements and thus free up a student’s schedule to take other classes of interest. These students do not need to have a major to graduate and may instead choose a concentration. Please note that in the case of "Special Concentrations" (for example, the Special Business Management Concentration), a student must choose a major or a concentration in addition to the special concentration in order to graduate.

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