COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
SCIENCE HONORS PROGRAM
2021-2022

The Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) is a highly selective program for high school students who have a strong interest in the sciences and mathematics. The SHP holds classes at Columbia from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on Saturdays throughout the academic year. Courses are primarily in the physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences; and instructors are scientists and mathematicians who are actively engaged in research at the University. During the past few years, the SHP has offered the following courses:

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Computer Visualization in Chemistry
  • Experiments in Genetics and Molecular Bacteriology
  • Eukaryotic Genetics and Genomics
  • Genetics and Biodiversity Conservation
  • The Cytoskeleton - Dynamic Scaffolding of the Cell
  • Principles of Immunology
  • Human Physiology
  • Neurobiology of Development and Disease
  • Psychology of Memory
  • Mind and Brain
  • Comparative Psychology
  • Computer Programming in Java
  • Number Theory
  • Groups and Symmetry
  • Topics in Topology
  • Calculus in the Complex Plane
  • Chaos and Fractals
  • Fossil Fuels and Global Change
  • Energy Use in a Modern Economy
  • Concepts in Biological Physics
  • Optics and Lasers
  • Electronics and Circuit Theory
  • Solid-State Physics and Engineering
  • From Nanoscience to Nanotechnology
  • Relativity and Cosmology
  • Exploring Black Holes
  • Quantum Theory and Its Applications
  • Elementary Particles - The Basic Building Blocks of Matter
  • Experiments in Atomic and Nuclear Physics
  • Introduction to Astrophysics
  • Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology

    • For current students, the program and its courses have no tuition charges; however, families of SHP participants are asked to consider making voluntary contributions to help support the program.

    Starting in the 2022-2023 school year, we anticipate an annual tuition of $600 per year for NEW students (with $300 due at the beginning of each semester). Tuition waivers may be available for students with documented financial hardships; waivers will be granted after the admissions process, and all applications will receive equal consideration regardless of need. We regret the upcoming change; however, the tuition will be significantly lower than comparable programs in the New York City area and more broadly.

    To contact the program, you may write to:
    or you may telephone the SHP office at:
    Columbia University Science Honors Program.