Undergraduate Programs

• Admission Requirements

  Students entering a medical physics graduate educational program shall have a strong foundation in basic physics. This shall be demonstrated either by an undergraduate degree in physics, or by a degree in an engineering discipline, or another of the physical sciences, and a minimum of three fundamental upper-level physics courses taught through a physics department. Examples of fundamental physics courses include, but are not limited to: classical mechanics, modern physics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical physics, thermodynamics, optics, nuclear/particle physics, and astrophysics. GRE exam scores are not required. A list of the qualified courses offered by Columbia University is available here. The Physics GRE is recommended. Proficiency in written and spoken English and a working knowledge of computer programming, probability, and statistics are also required.

  Qualified Courses
• Application

  The priority deadline for applications for full-time study is February 15. Applications received by June 30 will be considered on a space-available basis. For more information, please see Graduate Admissions. Applicants are asked to inform the Medical Program Coordinator at [email protected] following the submission of an online application.

  Graduate Admissions
• Financial Aid

  As a rule, assistantships, grants, scholarships, and fellowships are not available to students in master's degree programs, including the medical physics program. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to receive federal student loans. Please see the FAQ for additional information.
• Core Curriculum

  The Program consists of a core curriculum of medical and nuclear physics courses, a laboratory course, anatomy, two practicums, a tutorial, one elective, and a seminar. Specific course requirements are:

  • APPH E4010: Introduction to nuclear science
  • APPH E4330: Radiobiology for medical physicists
  • APPH E4710: Radiation instrumentation lab, I
  • APPH E4550: Medical physics seminar
  • APPH E4500: Health physics
  • APPH E4600: Fundamentals of radiological physics & radiation dosimetry
  • APBM E4650: Anatomy for physicists & engineers
  • APPH E6319: Clinical nuclear medicine physics
  • APPH E6330: Diagnostic radiology physics
  • APPH E6335: Radiation therapy physics

  Opportunities for specialization exist via the choice of elective courses and practicums. In addition, a fourth semester option exists.
• Comprehensive Exam

  A passing grade on a medical physics comprehensive examination is required for graduation with a Master of Science degree in Medical Physics. This closed-book written exam is offered twice a year, in December and May, following the last semester of studies and consists of 6 questions covering the required course work taken during the program.

• Other Requirements

  In order to be allowed to participate in a practicum at the New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia University Medical Center, students in the Columbia Medical Physics Program must complete an on-line course that leads to HIPAA compliance certification. They must also comply with hospital-mandated medical surveillance, which includes drug screening:  http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/hr/policies-procedures/medical-surveillance

  Successful completion of two online ethics courses, offered without charge to students enrolled in our Program, is required for graduation.

• Admissions and Placement Statistics

  Explore annual application, enrollment, graduation, and placement results for the Medical Physics MS and Certificate programs—including residency, advanced degree programs, industry, and clinical position outcomes.

Specific Program Requirements

• Medical Physics MS Program

  Full-Time Curriculum

  The following courses are required for the full-time program.

  (Schedule subject to change)

  First Fall Courses

  • APPH E4010: Introduction to nuclear science (3 pts)
  • APPH E4600: Fundamentals of radiological physics & radiation dosimetry (3 pts)
  • APPH E4710: Radiation instrumentation lab, I (3pts)
  • APBM E4650: Anatomy for physicists & engineers (3 pts)

  Spring Courses

  • APPH E6319: Clinical nuclear medicine physics (3 pts)
  • APPH E6330: Diagnostic radiology physics (3 pts)
  • APPH E6335: Radiation therapy physics (3 pts)
  • APPH E4550: Medical physics seminar (0 pts)
  • APPH E4500: Health physics (3 pts)

  Summer Courses

  • Subject to availability: summer practicum(s) for which students will register in the Fall term

  Second Fall Courses

  • APPH E4330: Radiobiology for medical physicists (3 pts)
  • Varies: Practicum (see below) (6 pts)
  • Varies: Elective (see below) (3 pts)

  Practicums (2 required)

  • APPH E6333: Radiation therapy (prerequisite: APPH E6335) (3 pts)
  • APPH E6340: Diagnostic radiology (prerequisite: APPH E6330) (3 pts)
  • APPH E6365: Nuclear medicine (prerequisite: APPH E6319) (3 pts)
  • APPH E6380: Health physics (prerequisite: APPH E4500) (3 pts)

  A grade of B+ or better in the prerequisite course, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, and permission of instructor and advisor are required for each practicum. Students register for the practicum in the Fall or the Spring term; the work for 2 of the 4 praticums may be done in the Summer term.

  Electives (3 pts. required)

  • APPH E4711: Radiation instrumentation lab, II (3 pts)
  • APPH E6336: Advanced topics in radiation therapy (3 pts)
  • APAM E6650: Research project (1-6 pts)
  • APPH numbers vary: Third Practicum (3 pts) 

  Optional Course

  • APAM E4999: Supervised internship (1 pt)
• Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics

  Our CAMPEP-accredited Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics is designed for professionals who have a PhD in physics or a related discipline and who wish to become eligible to apply for the medical physics examinations given by the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

  As stated on the ABR website, to be eligible for Part 1 of the ABR Examination, applicants "must be enrolled in and in good standing with, or have graduated from, a CAMPEP-accredited program," which specifically includes CAMPEP-accredited certificate programs like Columbia's.

  Furthermore, prior to taking Part 2 of the ABR Examination, applicants are required to have completed a two-year residency in medical physics which consists of a clinical and an academic component. By successfully completing Columbia’s non-degree certificate program an applicant will have satisfied the academic component already.

  Course Requirements

  This part-time program requires satisfactory completion of six of the following courses:

  • APPH E4500: Health physics
  • APPH E4600: Fundamentals of radiological physics and radiation dosimetry
  • APPH E4330: Radiobiology for medical physicists
  • APPH E6330: Diagnostic radiology physics
  • APPH E6335: Radiation therapy physics
  • APBM E4650: Anatomy for physicists and engineers.

  Certificate students are allowed to waive a course based on prior equivalent academic work but another 3-point course must be substituted for the waived course.

  Admission

  Doctoral degree in physics, applied physics, or one of the physical sciences is required. An applicant who was not a physics major as an undergraduate, or who does not have an advanced degree in physics, must have taken physics training at least equivalent to a minor. This training must include at least three upper level physics courses, which, if taken after completion of the undergraduate degree, must have been taken at an accredited four-year college. Completion of course prerequisites is also required.

  When appropriate, certificate program requirements are updated to conform to guidelines set by CAMPEP and by policies set by the ABR.

  • The application deadline for fall admission is August 1.
  • Applications are available online at: Graduate Admissions
  • On the "Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics" drop down menu, follow the instructions for NEW APPLICANT. Under degree level, please select "OTHER" and under program level select "MEDICAL PHYSICS CERTIFICATE."
  • Applicants are asked to inform the Program Coordinator at [email protected] following the submission of an online application.

  Because Columbia's online application system is usually changed in July from the current admissions cycle to the next one, applicants for the Certificate Program who apply in July, must contact the Medical Physics Program Coordinator at [email protected].

  The CAMPEP-accredited Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics is a part-time program that does not support visa applications and is exclusively available to U.S. citizens and residents. Our program does not offer any financial support.

• Undergraduate Labs

  The undergraduate wet-lab teaching facility is located on the third floor of Engineering Terrace and provides a state-of-the-art, hands-on teaching facility. Some laboratory exercises will also take place within the premises of the university’s affiliated hospitals.
• Electives

  The undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET: http://www.abet.org.
• Senior Design

  The Biomedical Engineering Design course is a required, two-semester capstone course for undergraduate students. Students work in a team to tackle a real-world, open-ended design project in the biomedical field.

  More
• Undergraduate Research

  Undergraduate students have the opportunity to get involved in cutting-edge research within the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

  Many BME labs welcome qualified undergraduates to join their research teams, either through work-study or as paid research assistants. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply classroom knowledge, explore areas of interest, and contribute to ongoing innovations in the field.

  For more information on the work-study program, please visit Student Financial Services.
• Undergraduate Advising

  Advising in BME is centered on close interactions between students and BME faculty advisors, who provide counseling regarding the BME major, career planning, and student life. Students are assigned BME faculty advisors as soon as they enter the department.
• Non-Department Led Research

  Research conducted outside the BME department may count for BMEN E3998 credit if approved. In this case, students must register under their BME academic advisor, who will coordinate with the external research supervisor. To qualify:

  • The project must relate to biomedical engineering and include engineering content (confirmed with a short project description).
  • The external supervisor must confirm via email:
    • The student is not being paid.
    • The work is being done for credit.
    • 1 credit = 5 hours/week commitment (up to 3 credits per semester).
    • The student will receive a letter grade.
    • Assessment methods (e.g., final paper, presentation, or poster).
• Summer Research

  BME labs offer summer research positions through internships, research assistantships, and work-study. Students can receive technical elective credit by enrolling in BMEN E3998 during the summer.

  Additionally, many BME faculty participate in Columbia’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). Qualified students are encouraged to apply.

• Education Objectives

  The Biomedical Engineering Department at Columbia University is dedicated to preparing our graduating students for the following:

  1. Professional employment in areas such as the medical device industry, engineering consulting, biomechanics, biomedical imaging, and biotechnology
  2. Graduate studies in biomedical engineering or related fields
  3. Attendance at medical or dental school
• Student Outcomes

  We strive to ensure that our students successfully attain the following:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
• Undergraduate Enrollment and Graduation Data

  Graduates of our program go on to graduate studies, medical school, and employment. Students have gone onto sectors including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, governmental oversight organizations (FDA, NIH, OSHA, etc.), and even finance. Through the program, students can meet entrance requirements for graduate training in the various allied health professions. For instance, no more than three additional courses are required to satisfy entrance requirements for most U.S. medical schools, and can be chosen to also fulfill elective requirements for graduation.

  A statistical breakdown of each class is available below (numbers as of Fall 2023):

  	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
  Sophomores	36	35	40	44	44	40
  Juniors	49	41	44	55	53	57
  Seniors	48	52	40	47	55	54
  Total	133	128	124	146	152	151

Why Study Mining Engineering at Columbia?

• Global Energy Transition Focus

  Tackle the pressing challenge of sourcing minerals for renewable energy technologies and infrastructure.

• Modernized, Industry-Aligned Curriculum

  Our curriculum has been specially designed to reflect current industry practices, incorporating technical advances, emerging trends and vital soft skills such as strong teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.

• A Legacy of Leadership

  Columbia's School of Mines, founded in 1864, laid the groundwork for engineering education in the U.S. Our Mining program continues that tradition with a renewed focus on climate and sustainability.

• Sustainability-Centered Engineering

  Learn to integrate environmental stewardship and community engagement into every phase of the mining lifecycle.

• Enhanced Career Prospects

  This specialized training will distinguish you from other engineering graduates, making you a highly sought-after professional in the mining industry.

  Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the earth and environmental engineering sector and beyond. 

  With strong industry connections, we also facilitate networking events and internships that give you the experience and confidence to stand out in the competitive job market.

• Major or Minor in Mining Engineering

  If you are interested in our department but want to major in another field, you can still minor in Mining Engineering. Due to our broad and multidisciplinary scope, a number of our courses are already required across other engineering departments. As well as developing interdisciplinary knowledge, this structure will ensure your workload is manageable.

Requirements

• Application Requirements

  What we look for:

  • Transcripts and school reports. We accept all secondary school qualifications (AP, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A Levels, National School curricula, etc.). We do not have standardized requirements or “cut-off” test scores for first-year admission but we do expect to see coursework in physics and calculus.
  • Teacher recommendations. We would like to learn more about your contributions in the classroom and at school, as well as what you might offer to your Columbia classmates.
  • Responses to our Columbia-specific application questions. Your answers will provide us with insight into your intellectual interests and the way in which your curiosity and sense of community might translate to Columbia’s campus.
  • A personal statement. We review applications in context, taking into account the multiple, intersecting ways that you have been shaped by your family circumstances. Understanding who you are, what your home responsibilities are, whether you have experienced any systemic and situational barriers and advantages will ensure we can review your application fairly and accurately.
  • English language proficiency. If your home language is not English or if your secondary school studies were predominantly in another language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Visit our English Proficiency Requirements for accepted exams and minimum score requirements.

  How to Apply

• Degree Requirements

  BS in Mining Engineering

  To graduate from our BS program you must complete:

  • 18 credits (approximately six courses) of technical Mining Engineering electives during your final two years.
  • The Columbia liberal arts core. This is typically satisfied during the first two years, although you can undertake non-technical electives during your final two years.

  Minor in Mining Engineering

  To earn a minor in Mining Engineering, you must complete:

  • Six courses selected from a specified list approved by your undergraduate advisor.

• Program Educational Objectives

  Graduates of the Chemical Engineering Program achieve success in one or more of the following within a few years of graduation:

  1. Careers in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
  2. Leadership positions in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
  3. Graduate-level studies in chemical engineering and related technical or scientific fields (e.g. biomedical or environmental engineering, materials science).
  4. Careers outside of engineering that take advantage of an engineering education, such as business, management, finance, law, medicine, or education.
  5. A commitment to life-long learning and service within their chosen profession.
• Important Links

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  • Bulletin
  • Old Chemical Engineering Study Plan*
  • New Chemical Engineering Study Plan*
  • Chemical Engineering Registration Form
  • "Old" Chemical Engineering Technical Electives List
  • "New" Chemical Engineering Technical Electives List
  • Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Concentrations
  • Course Equivalency Form for Combined Plan Students
  • Course Equivalency Form for Transfer Students
  • SEAS Outside/Summer Credit Approval Form
  • Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis Guidelines

  *Note: students in the Classes of 2026 & 2027 may choose to use either the "new" or "old" study plan. Students in the Class of 2028 and later are required to use the "New" study plan.

• Student Outcomes

  Upon graduation, we expect our students to have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
• Enrollment and Graduation Statistics

  	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
  Sophomores	19	15	11	13	19	25
  Juniors	38	30	23	19	17	22
  Seniors	31	37	29	22	19	16
  Total	88	82	63	54	55	63

  	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
  Graduates	31	39	29	21	20	14

Why Study Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia?

• Field-Leading Faculty

  Join a department full of active scholars publishing pioneering research in areas like energy-efficient desalination, resource recovery from waste materials, and AI-empowered climate modeling.

• Research Opportunities & Project-Based Learning

  Our curriculum offers the perfect balance of theory and practice.

  From the Art of Engineering course in your first semester to your year-long senior design project, you'll learn how to apply engineering principles to solve real-world problems.

  Opportunities to support faculty with external research projects will complement your studies and expand your theoretical understanding of this diverse and far-reaching field.

• New York City

  Studying in NYC will exposure you to diverse urban and natural environments, offering a perfect living laboratory to engage with issues like urban pollution and coastal management. A hub for research and industry, the city is an ideal place to find internships and make connections for your future.

• Focus on Sustainability

  Engage in problem solving at the intersection of natural and engineered systems by applying technical skills to critical water, energy, minerals, and decarbonization challenges.

• ABET Accreditation

  The BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

  
  ABET is a nonprofit organization that draws on industry experts to develop standards for education programs in science, computing, and engineering. Accreditation indicates that our program has met its rigorous standards for equipping engineering professionals for the field.

• Comprehensive Career Support

  Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the earth and environmental engineering sector and beyond. 

  With strong industry connections, we also facilitate networking events and internships that give you the experience and confidence to stand out in the competitive job market.

• Major or Minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering

  If you are interested in our department but want to major in another field, you can still minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering. Due to our broad and multidisciplinary scope, a number of our courses are already required across other engineering departments. As well as developing interdisciplinary knowledge, this structure will ensure your workload is manageable.

Requirements

• Application Requirements

  What we look for:

  • Transcripts and school reports. We accept all secondary school qualifications (AP, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A Levels, National School curricula, etc.). We do not have standardized requirements or “cut-off” test scores for first-year admission but we do expect to see coursework in physics and calculus.
  • Teacher recommendations. We would like to learn more about your contributions in the classroom and at school, as well as what you might offer to your Columbia classmates.
  • Responses to our Columbia-specific application questions. Your answers will provide us with insight into your intellectual interests and the way in which your curiosity and sense of community might translate to Columbia’s campus.
  • A personal statement. We review applications in context, taking into account the multiple, intersecting ways that you have been shaped by your family circumstances. Understanding who you are, what your home responsibilities are, whether you have experienced any systemic and situational barriers and advantages will ensure we can review your application fairly and accurately.
  • English language proficiency. If your home language is not English or if your secondary school studies were predominantly in another language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Visit our English Proficiency Requirements for accepted exams and minimum score requirements.

  How to Apply

• Degree Requirements

  BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering

  To graduate from our BS program you must complete:

  • 18 credits (approximately six courses) of technical Earth and Environmental Engineering electives during your final two years.
  • The Columbia liberal arts core. This is typically satisfied during the first two years, although you can undertake non-technical electives during your final two years.

  Minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering

  To earn a minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering, you must complete:

  • Six courses selected from a specified list approved by your undergraduate advisor.

Master of Science Program Pathways

• BS Double Degree: Maths and Physics

  Available Master of Science programs:

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Applied Physics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Earth and Environmental Engineering
  • Financial Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Operations Research
  • Quantum Science and Technology
• BS Double Degree: Maths and Computer Science

  Available Master of Science programs:

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Earth and Environmental Engineering
  • Financial Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Operations Research
  • Quantum Science and Technology
• BS Double Degree: Maths and Economics

  Available Master of Science programs:

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Earth and Environmental Engineering
  • Financial Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Operations Research