FAQ for Prospective Undergraduate Students

Is there a specific emphasis in expertise and research within the Computer Science department at Columbia? Which areas of CS are particularly strong at Columbia?

• The Department of Computer Science at Columbia has distinguished research strengths in a number of areas, including vision and computer graphics, computer and network security, networks, machine learning, computer architecture and natural language processing.
• For recent research developments, please see the latest departmental newsletter.
• Departmental research reports can be browsed here.
• Examples of specific research groups:
  
• Graphics
• Intrusion Detection
• Languages & Compilers
  
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• Network Computing
• Programming Systems
• Robotics
  
• Security
• A full list of research groups can be found here.
  

• Columbia University offers both a Bachelors of Art and a Bachelors of Science major in computer science.  The B.A. major encourages students to obtain broad exposure to the arts, humanities, and social sciences while providing them with the appropriate computer science background necessary for graduate study or a professional career. The B.S. major encourages students to obtain broad exposure to the engineering core while providing the appropriate computer science background for further activities in academia or industry.
• Computers have an impact on nearly all areas of human endeavor.  Hence, the computer science major offers maximum flexibility by providing students with a range of options to specialize their degree program. Students study a common core of fundamental topics, supplemented by a track that identifies specific areas for deeper study.  The department also offers several courses intended for students who do not plan a computer science major or concentration.
• Most graduates of the computer science program at Columbia step directly into career positions in computer science with industry or government, or continue their education in graduate degree programs. Many choose to combine computer science with a second career interest by taking additional programs in business administration, medicine, or other professional studies.
• The Computer Science program at Columbia allows students to acquire a rigorous background in the field while coming into extensive contact with the arts, humanities, and social sciences.  Columbia is well known for this approach, which gives students a foundation that is both subject-specific and wide-ranging, and provides a more than adequate level of preparation for whatever a student intends to pursue after receiving the undergraduate degree.
• Students graduating from Columbia’s Computer Science Department find themselves well suited to continue study at the graduate level in top name institutions.  However, all students who complete the program have the knowledge requisite to pursue a variety of careers either within the computer industry or elsewhere. 
• Students go on to apply what they have learned to a wide array of fields, from software and computer development and research to finance, medicine, advertising, and consulting.  The major program itself is designed to reflect this combination of rigor and flexibility. 
• After completing a set of required courses for the major, each student can pursue an elective track in accordance with a student’s interests and aptitudes that also fulfills upper-level major requirements.

What makes your Computer Science program stand out compared to other top programs and institutions?

• Due to our relatively small undergraduate population and the department’s research orientation, many C.S. undergraduate students at Columbia work with faculty on research projects in their junior and senior years. Students find these research opportunities very rewarding in terms of their exposure to cutting-edge research, introduction to the academic research environment, and enhancement of their overall education.
• Many of the C.S. teaching faculty are leaders in their research field and/or have extensive experience in industry and private sector research labs.  C.S. majors at Columbia have the opportunity to be taught and advised by world-renowned computer scientists who have well developed collaborative relationships with companies such as Bell Labs, IBM, Lucent, and Microsoft, as well as other leaders in the field.
• Columbia undergraduates receive a deep background in the liberal arts, probably more so than at many other more tech-oriented schools.
• Columbia’s location allows students to take advantage of the proximity to many potential future employers based in New York City as well as the many cultural attractions the city offers.

What opportunities are there to get involved in Computer Science research as an undergraduate at Columbia?

• There are many research opportunities in the computer science department during the academic year. Many of the faculty sponsor undergraduate and masters students for research projects in their groups. Typically the faculty sponsor the students for credit, but in some cases projects also provide a stipend.
• Please see the list of departmental research areas.  Individual faculty research webpages are linked from the departmental faculty listing.

What research, internship, and fellowships opportunities exist during the summer months and how do I participate?

• In the spring, faculty members post summer research opportunities directly to students via email. These can be for credit, pay, or both. Opportunities are also advertised through the Center for Career Education (CCE).

What kinds of career opportunities would this major/concentration prepare me for?

• In addition to graduate study, our students have gone on to a variety of careers either within the computer industry or elsewhere. Generally, the majority of our graduates have found positions at established computer/software companies (e.g. Microsoft, Sun, and IBM), research labs (e.g. Lucent or IBM), or Wall Street firms (e.g. Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns). Other graduates have found positions at smaller companies or startups. A few students have gone on to work or study outside of the field of computer science, applying their knowledge of the discipline to another field such as business, medicine, or law.
• Job opportunities are posted within the department and through the CCE.

What percentage of your computer science graduates go on to graduate school?

• According to a recent survey, approximately 30% of our graduates go on to graduate school.

How does the Computer Science program differ between School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Columbia College, Barnard and General Studies?

• The Computer Science major for SEAS students is more rigorous than for other colleges.  Students take a minimum of 62 C.S. credits (32 credits of core requirements plus 30 for a concentration track).
• Columbia College, Barnard, and General students C.S. majors all pursue the same program with a minimum of 38 C.S. credits (23 for the core and 15 for the track).  These students take more credits towards their college requirements and hence less towards the major than SEAS students.
• All C.S. majors take the following seven core required courses:
• COMS W1004 Intro. to CS and Programming in Java
• COMS W1007/9 Object-Oriented Programming & Design in Java
• COMS W3157 Advanced Programming
• COMS W3137/9 Data Structures & Algorithms
• COMS W3203 Discrete Mathematics
• COMS W3261 Computer Science Theory
• COMS W3827 Fundamentals of Computer Systems
• In addition to the courses above, SEAS majors take the following three core courses:
• COMS W3210 Scientific Computing
• COMS W3251 Computational Linear Algebra
• SIEO W4150/3600 Probability and Statistics
• The choice of electives, opportunities for research, and concentration track options are the same regardless of college/school.

Can I take courses that give me specialization in html & webpage design?

• Several C.S. courses provide web programming and design expertise.  These include:
• COMS W1004, 1007, and 1009 in Java
• COMS W3101 Programming Language courses
• COMS W3157 Advanced Programming
• COMS W3995 and W4995 Special Topics courses
• Please see the C.S. course catalogue in the SEAS online bulletin.

Can I take courses in video game design?

• Several upper level computer graphics, computer animation and game design courses are available for C.S. majors to take in their junior and senior years. 
• Please see the C.S. course catalogue in the SEAS online bulletin.

Is it possible to do a double major with a completely different subject (e.g. English)?

• It may be possible to complete a double major in these circumstances as a Columbia College or General Studies student.  Interested students should consult the Columbia College or General Studies bulletins and contact their class center for advice on college and program regulations. 
• Students should be warned that the pursuit of any double major results in a very intensive program of courses and that they may encounter class scheduling problems.

What are the differences between the Computer Science and Computer Engineering degrees?

• While there is substantial cross over between the two disciplines, in general, the Computer Science major focuses more on theory, software, and applications whereas Computer Engineering focuses more on computer hardware, digital system development, and system design. 
• The Computer Engineering program incorporates most of the core curricula of both electronic engineering and computer science.  Students receive a grounding in circuit theory, electronic circuits, and telecommunications. 
• The Computer Science program places equal emphasis on theoretical computer science, mathematics, and experimental computer technology.  Computer Science majors get trained in areas such as artificial intelligence, computational complexity and the analysis of algorithms, combinatorial methods, computer architecture, computer-aided digital design, computer communications, databases, mathematical models for computation, optimization, and software systems.

What High School preparation do you recommend?

• Four years of mathematics including calculus.
• One year of physics.
• One year of chemistry.
• Four years of English.
• Two to three years of a foreign language are encouraged.
• Three to four years of history/social studies are encouraged.
• Advanced Placement (A.P.) exams in Computer Science and Calculus.
• A grade 4 or 5 of the A.P. in C.S. can be imported for credit towards the C.S. major.

Does the CS department process undergraduate admissions?

• No, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions deals with undergraduate applications for SEAS & Columbia College. The online application system is here.

How do I apply to do Computer Science at Columbia?

• Please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for details regarding the application process.

What general requirements do I need to apply to SEAS?

• There are no minimum test scores required, but applicants need to take:

1. SAT I (Reasoning Test) or ACT Assessment Test including the optional writing component.
2. SAT II subject tests in
• writing;
• mathematics; and
• physics or chemistry.
3. TOEFL, if required:  required if an applicant has not lived in an English-speaking country for 5 years or more.

• SAT I changed during the Spring of 2005, but SEAS will accept the old SAT, ACT, or the new SAT.
• All testing must be complete by November of the secondary school senior year.
• Applicants should use code 2111 for SAT & TOEFL and code 2719 for ACT when applying.

When can I visit Columbia for a look around?

• University tours occur from 11 AM to 3 PM every weekday during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Group information sessions are scheduled at various times.
• No appointment is necessary for either of the above.
• Information is available from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
• Please note that at this time there are no specific departmental tours available.

What are SEAS undergraduate fees?

• 2006-7 tuition fees were $16,832 per term, regardless of the number of credits taken.
• Other mandatory and optional fees also apply as detailed in the fees section of the SEAS bulletin.
• Further information is available from the Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing and via .

Where can I get more information regarding the Department of Computer Science at Columbia?

• Please visit our departmental website.
• This includes information regarding the undergraduate program, Computer Science courses offered, Computer Science faculty, departmental research, and departmental newsletters.

• Information is also available in the C.S. sections of the SEAS Bulletin, the Columbia College Bulletin, and the General Studies Bulletin.
• Barnard College degree requirements are here.

Any questions not answered within this FAQ can be directed to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, or the CS Director of Academic Programs, .

Last updated on 7/10/07