Older than the nation itself, Columbia University is one of the world's most respected and renowned universities. Founded in 1754 in a back room of Trinity Church in lower Manhattan, Columbia has been home to national and international leaders from all walks of life. With its main branch now located on Morningside Heights on New York's Upper West Side, the university includes 20,000 students. While it offers the largest graduate program in the Ivy League, it remains the smallest undergraduate institution, with an enrollment of 4,525 at Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

With an academic reputation rivaled by few, Columbia continues to serve its undergraduate students with a premier curriculum, taught by the world's finest scholars. Comprised of Columbia College with an enrollment of 3,500 and SEAS with 1025 students, Columbia offers individualized attention to all of its undergraduates. It is well-known for its trademark Core Curriculum, which provides a solid base for learning. Also added to the diverse offerings at Columbia and SEAS is the cross-registration program with Barnard College, which allows Columbians access to another outstanding resource.

The main undergraduate branch of Columbia University, Columbia College has grown from one room in Trinity Church in 1754 to one of the world�s major undergraduate institutions, offering majors in 28 departments and several interdepartmental programs to its 3,300 male and female students.

The famed Columbia College Core curriculum, built around a coherent set of core requirements, combines flexibility and breadth of choice with a commitment to the liberal arts. Its centerpiece is the Contemporary Civilization course, a model for interdisciplinary thought throughout the nation. Other basic courses include Literature Humanities, Art Humanities, and Music Humanities. Together, they create a common intellectual experience for Columbia College.

One of the most respected institutions for the study of engineering in the nation, the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) has long been known for its humanistic approach to engineering and for educating engineers with a strong sence of social commitment. While receiving a thorough grounding in mathematics, physics and chemistry in the first two years, the student takes a requried 16 points of liberal arts courses, studying the humanities and social sciences. Toward the end of the sophomore year, the student selects a field of specialization.

SEAS also offers the Combined Plan (also known as the 3-2 plan), which allows students to attend a liberal arts college (including Barnard and Columbia College) for three years and then transfer to SEAS for two years. Upon completion, the student receives a B.A. from the liberal arts college and the B.S. from SEAS.

An added advantage of SEAS is its small size. Only about 1,000 undergraduates and 800 grad students are enrolled, and there are 100 faculty members to teach and assist them. SEAS has had its own share of fame. Edwin Armstrong, who developed the FM radio on the Columbia campus was a SEAS undergrad, and the Manhattan Project also took place on Columbia's Campus.