In addition to reviewing the information below, students with questions about the Core Curriculum should refer to their school’s Bulletin, consult with their advising dean, and/or contact the Center for the Core Curriculum (core-curriculum@columbia.edu).
Registration
How do I register for a Core course?
Students are placed in sections of Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization before the start of the fall semester. In the fall semester, first-year students are placed in either Frontiers of Science or University Writing. Before the start of the spring semester, students are automatically placed in the same section of Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization. Students who wish to take Art Humanities and/or Music Humanities should register in Vergil.
How do I add or change a Core course?
Students can add or change a Core course in Vergil during your registration appointments. Please refer to this guidance from the Registrar for help managing your course registration in Vergil.
During the first three days of the semester, students can also submit a petition to add or change a section of Art Humanities, Contemporary Civilization, Frontiers of Science, Literature Humanities, and/or Music Humanities. Requests for changes submitted via email will not be processed. If you are having difficulty viewing the petition form, please ensure you are logged in by clicking the “Student Log In” button on the top right-hand side and signing in with your UNI and password.
University Writing petitions: If you are enrolled in Frontiers of Science and would like to be enrolled in University Writing instead, or if you would like to switch one University Writing section for another, please review the Undergraduate Writing Program’s petition process.
What is the last day to add, drop, or change a section of a Core class?
Students have until the second Friday of the semester to add, drop, or change a section of a Core course in Vergil. After this date, students may not drop or change sections of their Core classes. Students with questions and concerns should speak to their advising dean.
I accidentally dropped my Core course and it is now full. What should I do?
If you have dropped your Core course and are unable to re-register because the course is full, you may submit a petition to be enrolled into a section that meets at the same time as the dropped section. Petitions are processed by time preference only and do not guarantee placement into a specific section. You may also try registering for the section in Vergil if a seat opens.
Are there waitlist for Core courses?
No. There are no waitlists for Core courses.
When will I see my instructor’s name online?
Instructor names will be posted online at least one week before the start of the semester.
Can I take Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization simultaneously?
No. Columbia College students must complete Literature Humanities before taking Contemporary Civilization and therefore cannot take both courses simultaneously.
Can I defer registration for Literature Humanities, Frontiers of Science, University Writing, and/or Contemporary Civilization?
Students must consult with your Advising Dean in the Berick Center for Student Advising if they are seeking to defer their Core registration.
Petitions
What are the Core petition dates?
Please visit the Core Petitions page.
Can I submit a petition more than once?
No. Petitions may only be submitted once for each course.
Can I petition for a specific instructor’s section?
No. Petitions are fulfilled by day and time availability only, not by instructor or section number. Students may register for a specific section via Vergil if there is space available.
Can I request a specific section even if it has reached the maximum number of students?
No. All Core courses are capped and will not be overenrolled.
How long does it take for a petition to be processed?
The Core office processes petitions as quickly as possible. Petitions are usually processed within 72 hours.
I am waiting for my petition to be processed, and the instructor of my desired section told me I can join their class. Can I sit in on a section that meets during the times I requested?
No. Instructors are not able to grant permission to register for their section. Students are only allowed to attend the section that appears on their schedule in Vergil and will not be permitted to sit in on a course unless they have been officially enrolled.
How do I check the status of my petition?
To check the status of your petition(s), please visit the petition portal. If your petition has been fulfilled, you can also use the portal to view your new section time. Please ensure you are logged in by clicking the “Student Log In” button on the top right-hand side and signing in with your UNI and password.
How will I know when my petition is processed?
You will receive an automated email once your petition is processed. The change will appear on your schedule in Vergil within 24 hours.
What happens if my petition is not processed by the end of the Core petition period?
You will receive an email notifying you of your petition’s status. If there are no seats available during your requested days/times, we will not be able to process your petition. However, you can register yourself for any open section through Vergil until the end of the change of program period.
Do I need to find someone to switch/swap sections with?
No. It is not required for you to find someone to swap your section with to change days and times. If you have identified another student with whom you would like to swap sections, do not attempt to swap manually through Vergil. Instead, you should both submit petitions during the Core’s petition period.
What if I only have one time available to list on the petition?
The petition form requires you to select a minimum of three different times. If you are placed in a section that does not work with your schedule, you should attempt to make further changes in Vergil.
I am a first-year or sophomore student. Can I petition for Art Humanities and Music Humanities?
No. Petitions for Art Humanities and Music Humanities are only available to juniors and seniors. However, you may attempt to register for a section of Art Humanities or Music Humanities through Vergil.
How do I switch from Frontiers of Science to University Writing?
To switch from Frontiers of Science to University Writing, students must submit a petition to the Undergraduate Writing Program by emailing english-cc1010-petitions@columbia.edu.
How do I switch from University Writing to Frontiers of Science?
To switch from University Writing to Frontiers of Science, students must submit a petition with the Core office.
Can I switch sections after the Core petition period?
Yes. You will have until the second Friday of the semester to make changes to your Core registration in Vergil.
I have a question about petitioning for the Global Core requirement, the Language requirement, and/or the Science requirement. Whom should I contact?
Students should consult with their advising dean and/or contact Academic Affairs (cc-academic@columbia.edu) for information related to any of the above requirements.