• A Message From The Deans
• Mission of the School
• About the School and University
  • History of the School
  • Research and Facilities
• Undergraduate Studies
• Graduate Studies
• Faculty Administration
• Departments and Academic Programs
• Undergraduate Minors
• Interdisiplinary Courses and Courses in Other Divsions of the University
• Campus and Student Life
• Scholarships, Fellowships, Awards, and Prizes
• University and School Policies Procedures, and Regulations
• Directory of University Resources

Research and Facilities

A College within the University

The New York Advantage

Besides the faculty, the single greatest facility at a Columbia student's disposal is without doubt the City of New York. Within easy reach by walking, bus, subway, or taxi, New York's broad range of social, cultural, and business communities offer an unparalleled opportunity for students to expand their horizons or deepen their understanding of almost any human endeavor imaginable. With art from small SoHo galleries to major Uptown museums; music from Harlem jazz clubs to the Metropolitan Opera; theatre from performance art in the East Village to musicals on Broadway; food from French on the Upper East Side to Asian in Chinatown; and sports teams from the Jets to the Yankees, New York is the crossroads of the world.

New York is fast becoming a major player in high-tech research and development, where Fortune 500 companies traded on Wall Street seek partnerships with high-tech start-up ventures in Tribeca. And as more and more companies discover the advantages of locating in New York's greater metropolitan area, they join such long-standing facilities as AT&T Laboratories, Bell Communications Research, Exxon Research, IBM Research Laboratories, International Paper, NYNEX, and many other major companies involved in high-tech R&D. As part of the research community themselves, Columbia students have exceptional opportunities for contact with industry both on and off campus. Senior representatives of these companies often visit Columbia to lecture as adjunct faculty members or as special speakers, and undergraduate and graduate students frequently undertake research or internships with these and other companies, oftentimes leading to offers of full-time employment after graduation.

In addition to its ties to private industry, Columbia also has a historically close relationship with the public sector of New York, stretching back to the eighteenth century. Involved in all aspects of the city's growth and capital improvements over the years, Columbia engineers have been responsible for the design, analysis, and maintenance of New York's enormous infrastructure of municipal services and communications links, as well as its great buildings, bridges, tunnels, and monuments.

The University at Large

Columbia University occupies two major campuses, as well as additional special-purpose facilities throughout the area. Besides the main campus located on the Upper West Side in Morningside Heights, further uptown in Washington Heights is the Health Sciences campus, which includes Columbia's medical school (the College of Physicians and Surgeons), the Mailman School of Public Health, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and other health professions programs. The Health Sciences Division is an equal partner with New York-Presbyterian Hospital in the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, the world's first academic medical center. The medical center opened in 1928 when Columbia's health-related schools and Presbyterian Hospital (which has since merged with New York Hospital to become New York-Presbyterian Hospital) moved to the Washington Heights location. The Engineering School's new Biomedical Engineering Department has offices on both the Morningside and Health Sciences campuses.

Beyond its schools and programs, the measure of Columbia's true breadth and depth must take into account its seventy-odd internationally recognized centers and institutions for specialized research, which study everything from human rights to molecular recognition, as well as the close affiliations it holds with Teachers and Barnard Colleges, the Juilliard School, the American Museum of Natural History, and both the Jewish and Union Theological Seminaries. Columbia also maintains major off-campus facilities such as the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, N.Y., and the Nevis Laboratories in Irvington, N.Y. Involved in many cooperative ventures, Columbia also conducts ongoing research at such facilities as Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y., and the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies located just off the Morningside campus.

The Morningside Heights Campus

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science occupies three laboratory and classroom buildings at the north end of the campus, including the Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research. Because of the School's close proximity to the other Morningside facilities and programs, Columbia engineering students have ready access to the whole of the University's resources.

Comprising multiple programs of study, with facilities specifically designed and equipped to meet the laboratory and research needs of both undergraduate and graduate students, the School is the site of an almost overwhelming array of basic and advanced research installations, from the Columbia Center for Electron Transport in Molecular Nanostructures to the Columbia Genome Center. Details about specific programs' laboratories and equipment can be found in the sections describing those programs.

SEAS Computing Facilities

The Botwinick Multimedia Learning Laboratory is the School's state-of-the-art facility for computer-aided design (CAD) and media development. It is equipped with 50 Apple Mac Pro 8-core workstations, as well as a cluster of Apple Xserves with Xraid storage, that serve the lab's 300-plus users per semester. The workstations are custom tailored for 3D modeling and animation, and offer students the latest modeling software commonly used in professional settings - Maya and AutoCad, as well as Adobe CS3 Web Premium.

All first-year students take a course in the Gateway Lab that explores fundamental engineering design in a three-dimensional virtual environment. Students work in teams to research, develop, and finally design innovative new products. In addition, all undergraduate students from the University have a chance to take advanced courses in modeling and animation.

Central Computing Resources

Computing Support Center

Online: http://www.columbia.edu/cuit/support

Help Desk: 212-854-1919

Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

Walk-in (consultations by appointment): Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Columbia University Information Technology is the central IT organization at Columbia, providing computing and communications systems, services, and support to students, faculty, and staff. CUIT services include the following:

• Computer account IDs provide access to Columbia's secure online information resources, campus computer labs, and printing on CUIT printers. All Columbia students, faculty, and staff are eligible for an ID account (called University Network ID or UNI).

• E-mail services include automatic backups of mail stored on CUIT servers, support for secure protocols for sending and retrieving mail, and extensive spam filtering. For the PC, CUIT supports Apple Mail (Mac OS X only), Mulberry, Netscape 7, and Outlook Express. CUIT also supports the Web-based program CubMail and the text-based program Pine.

• High-speed Internet access is available throughout the campus for sending e-mail, accessing Columbia computers, applications, and the Internet. Wired Ethernet connections are provided on campus in student residences and many public locations. Ethernet connections are also available in some off-campus housing for graduate students and faculty.

• The wireless network is available to Columbia students and faculty and offers fast and reliable data connection speeds of up to 4Mbps.

• Columbia's Web site provides access to hundreds of online services and resources, including extensive academic, scholarly, and administrative resources, a myriad of library catalogs and references, the Directory of Classes, registration information, campus publications, and events listings.

• Computing support is available through the Computing Support Center, which provides assistance to the Morningside campus online, by phone, or in person. (See beginning of this section for hours and contact information.)

• Courseworks@Columbia is the University course management system. It allows instructors to develop and maintain course websites easily, distribute class materials, link to on-line reserves, administer quizzes and tests, communicate with students, and promote online discussions.

• Electronic classrooms provide multimedia capabilities such as computer and projection systems, DVD and CD-ROM players, VCRs, and audio systems.

• Public computer kiosks are available in various locations around the Morningside campus for accessing Columbia's Web site resources and e-mail.

• Computer labs and clusters provide students, faculty, and researchers with access to a range of software. The major computing platforms are Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh workstations, and Linux kiosks. Some locations have part-time consultants to provide lab help.

• Printing facilities are available throughout the Morningside campus and Barnard College, including CUIT computer labs, libraries, residence halls, and other computer clusters and electronic classrooms. Printing is provided by the NINJa printing system on high-speed, high-volume printers.

• Computer Security Services maintains a Web site that provides resources and solutions on computer security, including links to antivirus, anti-pest and laptop recovery software. The site also provides a variety of information on how to protect yourself and others when working on Columbia's network.

• Free, noncredit computer training classes are offered to students, faculty, and staff. Topics include how to create a Web page, using UNIX, and using research software.

• Electronic Data Service (EDS), run jointly by CUIT and the Libraries, provides computing support for researchers with data-intensive applications, including special accounts, statistical software, and finding and selecting appropriate data.

• Telephone and cable TV services include voice communications via RolmPhones and PhoneMail, operator services for Columbia's main number (212-854-1756), wireless services, and cable TV service.

The Columbia University Libraries

The Columbia University Libraries system is the nation's sixth largest academic library system, with 9.7 million volumes, 65,650 serials, as well as extensive collections of electronic resources, manuscripts, rare books, microforms and other nonprint formats. The collections and services are organized into 25 libraries, supporting specific academic or professional disciplines. The Library's Web site at www.columbia.edu/ cu/lweb is a gateway to the print and electronic collections and services.

The Ambrose Monell Engineering Library, located within the Engineering School complex, has a collection of more than 252,000 volumes and over 1 million technical reports on microform. It currently subscribes to approximately 825 periodicals. Via LibraryWeb, the Engineering Library provides access to full-text electronic journals; a collection of many specialized databases in engineering and the sciences, e.g., Compendex, Inspec, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, and IEEE Electronic Library; several handbooks and encyclopedias; and e-book packages such as Safari Tech Books Online, Books 24x7, and NetLibrary. On site, the Library offers access to SciFinder Scholar, Gmelan, and Beilstein databases.

Center for Career Education

Center for Career Education
Columbia University
East Campus, Lower Level
Mail Code 5727
2960 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
Delivery: 70-74 Morningside Drive
Phone: 212-854-5609
Fax: 212-854-5640
E-mail:
www.careereducation.columbia.edu

The Columbia University Center for Career Education helps undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni develop the key competencies necessary to make informed decisions about their career goals. The Center facilitates connections between students, alumni, and organizations to explore opportunities related to their personal and professional objectives.

The Center for Career Education provides career development opportunities for students beginning with the first year at Columbia and involving a series of coordinated programs, a sequence of workshops and seminars, and individual one-to-one counseling. Career development is a lifelong process that includes self-assessment, curricular exploration through choice of major, competency development, networking, informational interviewing, internships, summer work experience, study abroad, preparation for the job search and for the graduate/professional school application process, and planning for productive careers. Above all else, it is a generative process, which provides a foundation for achieving goals throughout life.

The Center's website (www.careereducation.columbia.edu) contains information on career search strategies and tools, upcoming events, career fairs, full-time and part-time job listings, internships, and work-study positions. We encourage both students and alumni/ae to register online early in order to maximize the level of resources and assistance they can receive.

Individual career counseling is available to assist all students and alumni/ae we serve with a variety of interests, including self-assessment, career exploration, and career search tools, and strategies. Through the Career Resource Center, students are able to research employers, graduate schools, opportunities abroad, and more.

The Center recognizes the special interests of graduate students in the University with programs and workshops that focus on both academic and non-academic careers. Furthermore, we offer a dossier service that maintains reference files and sends out dossiers for those seeking teaching positions in independent schools, colleges, and universities. It is recommended that a candidate for a teaching position open a credentials file in the late summer or early autumn of the year preceding his or her availability for employment.

The Center manages full-time internship employment opportunities for students. On-campus recruiting is conducted throughout the academic year; students can submit their resumes and cover letters online to any of the employers listed in our database. In addition, employment opportunities are advertised year-round through the online database on Monster Trak.com. While at Columbia, students can take advantage of internships that offer opportunities to gain first-hand knowledge of a career field. In addition, on and off-campus part-time and temporary jobs are advertised through an online database.

Furthermore, the Center for Career Education fosters entrepreneurship through the Columbia Student Enter-prises (CSE). The organization consists of student-managed businesses such as the Bartending Agency, Inside NY, CU Snacks, and the Columbia University Tutoring and Translating Agency. This program promotes student initiative in business endeavors to increase services on campus that enhance the quality of student life and to create job opportunities for Columbia University students.

To gain a complete understanding of all Center for Career Education programs and resources, please come visit us in the lower level of East Campus. For additional information or questions, call 212-854-5609.

Statistics for Class of 2006 Graduates

Survey of Graduates

These statistics reflect information gathered by the Center for Career Education from a survey of undergraduates who graduated in the spring of 2006. This was the most current information available at the time this bulletin was published. For more up-to-date information, contact the Center for Career Education at 212-854-4934.

Of those seniors graduating from SEAS in the Class of 2006 who responded to this survey:

• 51.0% have accepted job offers
• 7.5% have applied for jobs and are awaiting or deciding between job offers
• 23% will be attending graduate school
• 7.5% have not started looking for a job
• 3.5% are taking the year off
• 4.0% other

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

International Students and Scholars Office
Columbia University
Mail Code 5724
2960 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-854-3587
e-mail:

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) offers many services for international students as well as American citizens and permanent residents who have received their education in another country. Services for international students include preadmission counseling, document and other immigration related services, the International Orientation program, social and cultural activities, and a program for the spouses of students. The ISSO also provides credential analysis services to the admissions offices of the University. The ISSO is open year-round, and international students are urged to make use of its services during their stay at the University and are also invited to visit the ISSO website which has comprehensive information for both prospective and current students.

The staff of the International Students and Scholars Office is available for personal advisement and for help in learning about the campus and New York City. The ISSO is an essential source of information regarding immigration and Department of State regulations that affect students studying in the United States. The staff can also assist with many other non-academic matters. The ISSO provides information about cultural activities in the New York area and has reduced-rate tickets for plays, concerts, and other events.

Students are required to check in with the ISSO within a week of their arrival at Columbia. The office's street address is 524 Riverside Drive in International House North, just north of 122nd Street. The orientation program for new international students arriving for the September term takes place during orientation week, usually the last week in August or the first week in September. For further information, consult the International Students and Scholars Office using the contact information above.