2011-2012 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

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columbia video network
Columbia Video Network
540 S. W. Mudd, MC 4719
500 West 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-854-6447
E-mail: info@cvn.columbia.edu
www.cvn.columbia.edu
Background
Continuing a tradition of nearly 250
years of academic excellence and
innovation, Columbia University’s Fu
Foundation School of Engineering
and Applied Science established the
Columbia Video Network (CVN) in 1986
to meet a growing need within the
engineering community for a graduate
distance education program. Classes
and degrees offered through CVN are
fully accredited; the degrees are granted
by Columbia University.
Classes available through CVN
are taught on campus by Columbia
University faculty in multimedia
classrooms. Faculty and students meet
in classrooms equipped with cameras,
electronic writing tablets, and SMART
boards. The recorded lectures are fully
downloadable for study at home, office,
or on the road.
CVN students take the same
classes, have the same homework
assignments, take the same exams, and
earn the same degrees as on-campus
students in Master of Science (M.S.) or
Professional Degree (P.D.) programs.
Course Offerings and
Degree Programs
CVN makes select SEAS graduate
courses available to off-campus
students in autumn (September–
December) and spring (January–May)
terms. CVN administrators work closely
with faculty representatives from each
department to select the classes that
best fit the needs of new and continuing
students around the world. During the
summer semester (and occasionally the
autumn and spring terms), CVN makes
prerecorded courses available. SEAS
currently offers M.S. degrees in the
following disciplines through CVN:
• Applied mathematics
• Applied physics
• Biomedical engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Computer science
• Earth and environmental engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Operations research
• Methods in finance
• Engineering management systems
• Materials science and engineering
• Mechanical engineering
For students who wish to do
advance work beyond the M.S., but
do not wish to emphasize research,
Professional Degrees are also available
in the following areas: computer
science, electrical engineering, industrial
engineering/operations research, and
mechanical engineering.
Student Registration
Students who have earned an
undergraduate degree in engineering,
mathematics, or related field can apply
to take classes for credit or audit without
first enrolling in a degree program at the
University or taking the GRE or TOEFL
exams by registering as nondegree
students. CVN also offers Certificates of
Professional Achievement programs in
various fields, which may lead to study
in a related M.S. or P.D. program.
Although you need not be admitted
to a degree program to begin taking
classes through CVN, you should apply
as soon as possible if you would like to
earn a degree from Columbia University;
up to 15 credits taken as a CVN
nondegree student may be counted
toward a degree when applying through
CVN, subject to the approval of the
student’s departmental adviser. Earning
credit as a nondegree student does not
guarantee acceptance into a degree
program.
Only CVN students may transfer
up to 6 credits from another university
toward an M.S. or P.D., subject to the
approval of the student’s adviser and
the department.
Columbia University students
admitted to an on-campus program are
not eligible to take CVN courses.
Program Benefits
The CVN program allows working
professionals to enroll in courses and
earn graduate engineering degrees
without leaving their communities,
their families, or their jobs. The key
component of CVN is flexibility without
compromise to the high-caliber
teaching, resources, and standards
inherent in The Fu Foundation School of
Engineering and Applied Science. CVN
students are a part of the Columbia
community and may take classes on
campus. To further enhance the sense
of community, CVN has developed a
completely automated online Student
Center. It provides a place where CVN
students and faculty can communicate.
Homework and exams are submitted
and graded there, and course notes and
other reference materials are available
for downloading.
Professors and teaching assistants
are available via e-mail or phone to
address academic questions. CVN’s
administrative staff is available to assist
with registration procedures, technical
queries, and academic advising so
working professionals can devote their
energies to their studies, their families,
and their careers.
engineering 2011–2012