Courses
Start building your summer today by selecting from hundreds of Columbia courses from various topics of interest. Courses for Summer 2026 are now available, with new offerings being added throughout the winter into early spring.
Please note: listing your desired courses in your visiting application does not automatically register you for those courses, nor does it guarantee seat availability.
Key to Course Listings | Course Requirements
Course Options
Students enrolled in the MA in Biotechnology Program have the opportunity to receive academic credit while conducting Supervised Research under the guidance of a faculty mentor within the University (S5502) or a biotech business-specific Supervised Internship outside the University (S5503) within the New York City Metropolitan Area unless otherwise approved by the Program. Credits received from this course are used to fulfill the Practical Training requirement for the MA degree.
Note:
Register for 001 for 3 credits or 002 for 6 credits
Students enrolled in the MA in Biotechnology Program have the opportunity to receive academic credit while conducting Supervised Research under the guidance of a faculty mentor within the University (S5502) or a biotech business-specific Supervised Internship outside the University (S5503) within the New York City Metropolitan Area unless otherwise approved by the Program. Credits received from this course are used to fulfill the Practical Training requirement for the MA degree.
Note:
Register for 001 for 3 credits or 002 for 6 credits
Students enrolled in the MA in Biotechnology Program have the opportunity to receive academic credit while conducting Supervised Research under the guidance of a faculty mentor within the University (S5502) or a biotech business-specific Supervised Internship outside the University (S5503) within the New York City Metropolitan Area unless otherwise approved by the Program. Credits received from this course are used to fulfill the Practical Training requirement for the MA degree.
Note:
Register for 001 for 3 credits or 002 for 6 credits
Prerequisites: High school algebra or the instructor's permission. Recommended: high school physics and chemistry. This course is preparation for CHEM UN1403 General Chemistry I Lecture or the equivalent, as well as for other science courses. It is intended for students who have not attended school for sometime or who do not have a firm grasp of high school chemistry. Topics include inorganic nomenclature, chemical reactions, chemical bonding and its relation to molecular structure, stoichiometry, periodic properties of elements, chemical equilibrium, gas laws, acids and bases, and electrochemistry. Please note that students must attend a recitation section.
Instructor
Luis Avila
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Mo 18:15-19:50
Tu 18:15-19:50
We 18:15-19:50
Th 18:15-19:50
Enrollment
4 of 50
This course is preparation for Chemistry UN1403 or the equivalent, as well as for other science courses. It is intended for students who have not attended school for some time or who do not have a firm grasp of high school chemistry. Topics include inorganic nomenclature, chemical reactions, chemical bonding and its relation to molecular structure, stoichiometry, periodic properties of elements, chemical equilibrium, gas laws, acids and bases, and electrochemistry.
Instructor
Sarah Hansen
Modality
On-Line Only
Day/Time
Tu 18:10-19:35
Th 18:10-19:35
Enrollment
7 of 50
The contribution of chemistry to everyday life is immense. The applications of chemistry in medicine, petrochemicals, cosmetics, and fertilizers are readily apparent. However, the knowledge and applications of chemistry come in handy in many other fascinating fields, some of which may be less than obvious. Examples of areas in which chemistry plays a key role include forensic science; art restoration and forgery detection; and flavors and fragrances in food, beverages and other consumer products. The goal of this course is to provide insights and spur discussion of several areas and applications of chemistry, while gaining hands-on experience in techniques used in these fields.
Note:
All Barnard students must register for Section 001 of the corresponding course. All Columbia students must register for Section 002.
Instructor
Meenakshi Rao
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Mo 09:00-12:10
We 09:00-12:10
Enrollment
3 of 15
The contribution of chemistry to everyday life is immense. The applications of chemistry in medicine, petrochemicals, cosmetics, and fertilizers are readily apparent. However, the knowledge and applications of chemistry come in handy in many other fascinating fields, some of which may be less than obvious. Examples of areas in which chemistry plays a key role include forensic science; art restoration and forgery detection; and flavors and fragrances in food, beverages and other consumer products. The goal of this course is to provide insights and spur discussion of several areas and applications of chemistry, while gaining hands-on experience in techniques used in these fields.
Instructor
Meenakshi Rao
Day/Time
Mo 09:00-12:10
We 09:00-12:10
Enrollment
2 of 15
Prerequisites: high school chemistry and algebra, CHEM S0001, or the department's permission. Topics include stoichiometry, states of matter, nuclear properties, electronic structures of atoms, periodic properties, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, introduction to quantum mechanics and atomic theory, introduction to organic, biological chemistry and inorganic coordination chemistry. Topical subjects may include spectroscopy, solid state and materials science, polymer science and macromolecular structures. The order of presentation of topics may differ from the order presented here. Students are required to attend the separate daily morning recitations which accompany the lectures (total time block: MTWR 9:30-12:20). Registering for CHEM S1403D will automatically register students for the recitation section. Students who wish to take the full sequence of General Chemistry Lectures and General Chemistry Laboratory should also register for CHEM S1404Q and CHEM S1500 (see below). This course is equivalent to CHEM W1403 General Chemistry I Lecture.
Note:
Class time includes lecture and recitation
Instructor
Jason Polisar
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Mo 09:30-12:20
Tu 09:30-12:20
We 09:30-12:20
Th 09:30-12:20
Enrollment
18 of 40
Foundations of Pre-Medicine
Visiting students can take this course as part of a Focus Area.
The Foundations of Pre-Medicine Focus Area is a flexible program designed for students with an interest in the healthcare sector as well as those completing foundational prerequisite courses for graduate programs such as medicine and nursing. Students enhance their academic experience through specialized co-curricular activities exclusive to the city and earn a Certification of Participation.
Prerequisites: CHEM S1403 General Chemistry I Lecture or the equivalent. Topics include gases, kinetic theory of gases, states of matter: liquids and solids, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, applications of equilibria, thermochemistry and spontaneous processes (energy, enthalpy, entropy, free energy) as well as chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. The order of presentation of topics may differ from the order presented here. Students must also attend the daily morning recitations which accompany the lectures (total time block: MTWR 9:30-12:20). Registering for CHEM S1404Q will automatically register students for the recitation section. The continuation of CHEM S1403D General Chemistry I Lecture. Students who wish to take the full sequence of General Chemistry Lectures and General Chemistry Laboratory should also register for CHEM S1403D and CHEM S1500 (see below). This course is equivalent to CHEM UN1404 General Chemistry II Lecture.
Note:
Class time includes lecture and recitation
Instructor
Jason Polisar
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Mo 09:30-12:20
Tu 09:30-12:20
We 09:30-12:20
Th 09:30-12:20
Enrollment
12 of 40
Foundations of Pre-Medicine
Visiting students can take this course as part of a Focus Area.
The Foundations of Pre-Medicine Focus Area is a flexible program designed for students with an interest in the healthcare sector as well as those completing foundational prerequisite courses for graduate programs such as medicine and nursing. Students enhance their academic experience through specialized co-curricular activities exclusive to the city and earn a Certification of Participation.
Prerequisites: CHEM S1403 General Chemistry I Lecture or the equivalent. Topics include gases, kinetic theory of gases, states of matter: liquids and solids, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, applications of equilibria, thermochemistry and spontaneous processes (energy, enthalpy, entropy, free energy) as well as chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. The order of presentation of topics may differ from the order presented here. Students must also attend the daily morning recitations which accompany the lectures (total time block: MTWR 9:30-12:20). Registering for CHEM S1404Q will automatically register students for the recitation section. The continuation of CHEM S1403D General Chemistry I Lecture. Students who wish to take the full sequence of General Chemistry Lectures and General Chemistry Laboratory should also register for CHEM S1403D and CHEM S1500 (see below). This course is equivalent to CHEM UN1404 General Chemistry II Lecture.
Note:
To be enrolled in S1404 Sec 2 you must reg for S1406 Rec
Instructor
Ruben Savizky
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Tu 18:10-19:35
Th 18:10-19:35
Enrollment
46 of 100
Foundations of Pre-Medicine
Visiting students can take this course as part of a Focus Area.
The Foundations of Pre-Medicine Focus Area is a flexible program designed for students with an interest in the healthcare sector as well as those completing foundational prerequisite courses for graduate programs such as medicine and nursing. Students enhance their academic experience through specialized co-curricular activities exclusive to the city and earn a Certification of Participation.
Corequisites: CHEM S1404X. To be enrolled in CHEM S1404X, you must be enrolled in CHEM S1406X.
Instructor
Ruben Savizky
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Tu 17:00-17:50
Enrollment
20 of 30
Foundations of Pre-Medicine
Visiting students can take this course as part of a Focus Area.
The Foundations of Pre-Medicine Focus Area is a flexible program designed for students with an interest in the healthcare sector as well as those completing foundational prerequisite courses for graduate programs such as medicine and nursing. Students enhance their academic experience through specialized co-curricular activities exclusive to the city and earn a Certification of Participation.
Corequisites: CHEM S1404X. To be enrolled in CHEM S1404X, you must be enrolled in CHEM S1406X.
Instructor
Ruben Savizky
Modality
In-Person
Day/Time
Tu 20:00-20:50
Enrollment
7 of 30
Foundations of Pre-Medicine
Visiting students can take this course as part of a Focus Area.
The Foundations of Pre-Medicine Focus Area is a flexible program designed for students with an interest in the healthcare sector as well as those completing foundational prerequisite courses for graduate programs such as medicine and nursing. Students enhance their academic experience through specialized co-curricular activities exclusive to the city and earn a Certification of Participation.