A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to Biological Sciences.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia Biological Sciences: cell and molecular biology with a broad science base
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, and Biological Sciences is a major offered through the College once enrolled. The Bulletin describes broad training in basic biology with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology, supported by chemistry, physics and mathematics requirements. This guide makes no claim of a separate admission to the major.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Biological Sciences
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for Biological Sciences in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Columbia's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A broad science base
Biology, chemistry through organic, a year of physics and a year of mathematics.
Cell and molecular emphasis
The Bulletin says the department's training emphasises cell and molecular biology.
Laboratory opportunities
Students have many opportunities to join research laboratories.
The SAT or ACT is required from August 2027
Columbia says it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results; it accepts A levels and the IB.
Official sources
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Academicsundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Columbia Bulletin: Biological Sciencesbulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for Biological Sciences in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Columbia's department website, the full course lists and descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Bulletin says the major requires
The Bulletin says the department offers broad training in basic biological disciplines with an emphasis in cell and molecular biology. The major requires one year of introductory biology, normally taken in the sophomore year after general chemistry, two core biology courses, two 3-point biology electives and a laboratory experience, plus chemistry through organic with labs, a year of physics with lab and a year of college-level mathematics, usually calculus. This guide does not list individual courses.
Is it the right major?
Biological Sciences beside Ecology and Neuroscience routes
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
Biological Sciences fits if
you want cell and molecular biology on a broad science foundation.
Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology fits if
you want ecosystems and evolution. Avandy's Columbia E3B guide covers it.
Neuroscience and Behavior fits if
you want the brain and behaviour. Avandy's Columbia Neuroscience and Behavior guide covers it.
Admission and testing
Columbia College, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Columbia says students apply to either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. It accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum. It says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Columbia's.
Are chemistry, physics and mathematics all comfortable companions to biology?
The major requires all three.
Do you want laboratory experience as part of the degree?
The major requires an appropriate lab experience.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Columbia says it will require one of them from August 2027.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Columbia's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Columbia's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Columbia has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Columbia for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Biological Sciences entry in the Columbia Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Columbia College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Columbia College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Columbia Biological Sciences?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
When is introductory biology taken?
The Bulletin says usually in the sophomore year, after one year of general chemistry.
What mathematics is required?
One year of college-level mathematics, usually calculus.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results.
Does Columbia accept A levels and the IB?
Columbia says it accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Columbia's wording with no entry-year label. Check Columbia's pages again when Columbia publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Columbia Biological Sciences
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, their interest in laboratory research and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.