Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science

Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or SEAS as it is popularly known, is the undergraduate engineering school of Columbia. No one calls it Fu. Ever. It awards degrees in engineering, applied physics and applied mathematics. SEAS was founded as the School of Mines in 1863 and then the School of Mines, Engineering and Chemistry before becoming the School of Engineering and Applied Science. It was the country's first such institution. In 1997, the school was renamed in honor of Chinese businessman Z. Y. Fu, who had donated $26 million.

The school was originally located in Lewisohn Hall and Mathematics Hall, then known as Engineering and Mines. The construction of Seeley Mudd Hall in the 60's allowed the school to move into more spacious quarters on the northeast corner of the main campus. Due to the growth of the school in the past four decades, further expansion was determined necessary, leading to the planning of the Northwest Science Building, which is due to be completed in the fall of 2010.

The school maintains a close relationship with Columbia College, and undergraduate students from both are handled by the Division of Student Affairs.

It is not uncommon for graduates to pursue illustrious mining careers, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Alternatively, investment banking is a popular choice, if mining in the Congo isn't your thing, with close to a third of all graduating SEAS-ers entering the financial industry.

Departments

• Applied Physics and Applied Math
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
• Mechanical Engineering