A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology: a department with two majors
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, and Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B) is a department, not a single major: the Bulletin lists a major in Environmental Biology and a major in Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species, with concentrations as well. This guide describes what the Bulletin says about the department and its majors, and makes no claim of a separate admission to any of them.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia E3B
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology 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 department with two majors
The Bulletin lists Environmental Biology and Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species as majors.
Environmental Biology needs 42 points
New requirements apply to students who declare as of March 2025.
Ecology, evolution and ecosystems are built in
The recommended biology sequence must cover ecology, evolution and ecosystem science.
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: Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biologybulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology 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 E3B offers
The Bulletin says the department was established in 2001 and that Columbia recognised ecology, evolutionary biology and environmental biology as a distinct subdivision of the biological sciences with its own foci, theory, scales of analysis and methods. It lists a major in Environmental Biology, which requires 42 points under the requirements for students who declare as of March 2025, a major in Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species, and concentrations in each. This guide does not list individual courses and does not describe the Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species major beyond naming it.
Is it the right major?
E3B beside Biological Sciences and Sustainable Development
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
E3B fits if
you want ecosystems, evolution and the environment as your biology.
Biological Sciences fits if
you want cell and molecular biology. Avandy's Columbia Biological Sciences guide covers it.
Sustainable Development fits if
you want a science-led, interdisciplinary sustainability major. Avandy's Columbia Sustainable Development 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.
Do you want the environment or human evolution as your focus?
The department offers a major in each.
Are you comfortable with a 42-point major?
That is the Environmental Biology requirement.
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 Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology 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 E3B?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
Is E3B a single major?
No. The Bulletin lists it as a department with majors in Environmental Biology and Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species, and concentrations.
Which requirements apply to me?
The Bulletin says students should consult the director of undergraduate studies; the new requirements apply to those declaring as of March 2025.
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 E3B
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology and mathematics, their interest in field and environmental science 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.