<p>Can anyone compare and contrast U of Chicago's core curriculum to Columbia's?</p>
<p>I've always been attracted to Columbia, but from what I can gather so far, U of C is also pretty similar to Columbia. </p>
<p>Are there any other similarities/differences between the two schools? Does Columbia have more of an edge in the humanities than U of C?</p>
<p>Websites explaining each:</p>
<p>The programs are surprisingly similar-- both offer similar courses in similar areas. Whereas Columbia has courses you MUST take and books you MUST read, Chicago offers you five or six thematically linked classes for each major subject (Humanities, Social Sciences, Civilization) and the rest of the Common Core (Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Math) is not much different from other schools' gen ed requirements.</p>
<p>Columbia's Core does seem to be more balanced in the sciences than does Chicago's, but then again, I'm not a student there, so I don't know what fulfilling those requirements is like.</p>
<p>In terms of humanities, I think both schools are really excellent and I don't know if one has an "edge" on the other.</p>
<p>It would appear as though Columbia is more rigid in humanities, Chicago is more rigid in science (splitting it into Bio and Physical requirements). Both have swim tests! Chicago has a math requirement, and Columbia has a writing one.</p>
<p>Columbia University based their core on UChicago's (although Columbia's is slightly watered down) if this explains the similarities.</p>
<p>In some respects you could call Columbia watered down (fewer course requirements is what I think you are getting at), but you could also call UChicago's core watered down from what it was due to all the options now allowed to fill the requirements. Part of Columbia's core appears to still be "you WILL take THIS class".</p>
<p>Senior Member Wooooot!</p>
<p>about the sciences--</p>
<p>Chicago appears to have more requirements in the sciences. While the number of courses may be greater, Chicago does have extremely good rocks-for-jocks courses that fulfill bio and physical sciences requirements. They're easy and lots and lots of fun-- Chemistry and the Atmosphere? Ice Age Earth? Intro to Astrophysics?</p>
<p>You don't have to take math if you score a 5 on the BC. A 5 on the AB means one quarter of calc, and the math levels are broken up. There's one super-theoretical calc class, then a track that most are in which is some proofs and such but nothing too over-the-top, and then there's a calc track without proofs and with lots of review time.</p>
<p>You don't even have to take calc-- a quarter of comp sci or stat or baby math will do, and you just take another science course to make up for the other math.</p>
<p>So while there are many options for non science/math people in fulfilling the core, the same isn't the case for people who aren't reading/writing. Every hum, sosc, and civ are of similar difficulty.</p>
<p>Not that I'm "in the know here", but I'm hesitant to let ANY UChicago science courses be labeled into the "rocks for jocks" category. Sure, they are probably easier than the science major classes, but surely worthwhile and strenuous in their own right.</p>
<p>physics for poets?</p>
<p>there's the natural science sequence as well, which covers both the biology and physics requirements in what was described to me "Really long PBS special"-like fashion...</p>
<p>Frontiers of Science is required which covers controversial issues in science: Big Bang Theory, Global Warming, and Evolution Theory. The last one good for kids from Kansas and Missouri :)</p>
<p>One obvious difference is that Columbia runs on the semester system; Chicago runs on the quarter system and has courses set up a bit differently. Some of Chicago's core requirements can be completed with AP credit- not sure about Columbia.</p>
<p>Ugh...a math & science requirement at U of C?</p>
<p>visitor1 was that...sarcasm? <em>gives a face with the mouth open</em> haha okay, us Kansans aren't THAT backwards..most of us.</p>
<p>"Ugh...a math & science requirement at U of C?"</p>
<p>Methinks you should think twice about U of C!</p>
<p>
That's where AP credit can help. A score of 4 or 5 on an exam in Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics can get rid of some of the math/science courses. </p>
<p> [quote=drummerdude_07] Methinks you should think twice about U of C!
You'd be hard pressed to find a college that doesn't have a math/science requirement. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Actually, I'm not that concerned about the math/science requirement, but it is comforting to know that some of those credits can be taken care of through APs.</p>
<p>You could always go to Brown or Rochester. No required classes.</p>
<p>the math/science classes that you can take to fulfill the core are similar to gen ed classes at other schools, (not Brown and not Rochester, I guess) and that's why I didn't place them with the rest of the core.</p>
<p>Fulfilling math and science requirements is really not a big deal here, and virtually every school will ask you for something similar to what Chicago asks of you, but to me the humanities, social sciences, and civilization courses are the real deciding factors in determining whether or not Chicago may be right for you.</p>
<p>amykins-</p>
<p>The core is exactly why I'm attracted to U of C. Truth be told, Columbia is still my first choice, but regardless, I'm still fond of both schools.</p>
<p>I'm actually planning on visiting the campus (U of C) in January.</p>