Apply to the College, then major
Columbia says students apply to either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate application to Neuroscience and Behavior.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia Neuroscience and Behavior: a biology and psychology major in the College
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, and Neuroscience and Behavior is a College major co-sponsored by the Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences. The Bulletin sets out one year of general chemistry plus eleven courses, a grade rule and a note about what graduate neuroscience programmes expect. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are what the major requires, how it differs from Psychology or Biology alone and what Columbia asks of everyone, including the SAT or ACT from August 2027. This guide claims no separate admission to the major.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Neuroscience and Behavior
Taken from Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages and the Columbia College Bulletin's Psychology entry, read on 31 October 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.
Co-sponsored by two departments
Psychology and Biological Sciences co-sponsor the major.
Chemistry first, then eleven courses
One year of college general chemistry comes before Introductory Biology, plus eleven courses to complete the major.
Grade rule
A grade of C- or higher is needed in every course used for the major, and Pass grades are not accepted.
SAT or ACT from August 2027
Columbia says it will require ACT or SAT results from first-year and transfer applicants starting in August 2027.
Official sources
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Academicsundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Columbia College Bulletin: Psychologybulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages and the Columbia College Bulletin's Psychology entry, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Columbia's Department of Biological Sciences pages, the Program Planning Tips and checklists, Barnard's version of the major, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Bulletin says the major requires
The Bulletin describes an interdepartmental major: a year of college general chemistry, introductory biology, neurobiology, additional biology electives and psychology courses that include The Science of Psychology, a neuroscience course and a statistics or research methods course. Students entering in Fall 2024 or later need two biology electives. The Bulletin adds that many graduate programmes in neuroscience also expect a year of calculus, a year of physics and chemistry through organic, so planning beyond the major is worth doing early. The page lists seven and six biology courses in different places, so this guide does not count them.
Is it the right major?
Neuroscience and Behavior, Psychology or Biology
Columbia describes these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Neuroscience and Behavior fits if
you want the biology of the nervous system alongside psychology, with a chemistry foundation.
Psychology fits if
you want a wider curriculum in psychological science, including social and clinical areas.
Another route fits if
your interest is purely biological or medical; the Bulletin ties graduate neuroscience to calculus, physics and organic chemistry.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT from August 2027, and your curriculum
Columbia says that starting in August 2027, Columbia College and Columbia Engineering will require first-year and transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT results. It accepts all secondary curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and A Level and IB results must be submitted if they are required to complete and graduate from secondary school. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Columbia's.
Are you comfortable starting with chemistry?
The Bulletin requires a year of college chemistry before Introductory Biology.
Do you want biology and psychology equally?
The major is co-sponsored by both departments.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says one is required 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 31 October 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 Bulletin's Neuroscience and Behavior section and plan the SAT or ACT.
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 Neuroscience and Behavior?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, not to a major.
Which departments run the major?
The Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences co-sponsor it.
Do I need chemistry?
The Bulletin requires one year of college general chemistry, and chemistry before Introductory Biology.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says it will require them starting in August 2027.
Does Columbia accept A Levels and the IB?
Yes. Columbia says it accepts all secondary curricula and reviews applications in 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 Neuroscience and Behavior
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their interest in biology and psychology, their chemistry 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.