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Majoring in Biology at Barnard
 Biology is a field that explores the structure, function, interactions, and evolution of living organisms. Some of the most exciting issues of our era—such as those relating to biotechnology, genetic engineering, environmental problems, and health—require a strong background in biology. Biology courses at Barnard cover a broad range of topics, including molecular and cellular biology, genetics, development, physiology, evolution, and ecology.
Many students specialize in biology in preparation for a career in medicine, dentistry, public health, nutrition, or law. Others anticipate graduate work in one of the many subfields of biology leading to a teaching and/or research career. Still others plan futures as scientific writers, illustrators, photographers, industry or government researchers, or in areas such as environmental policy and law.
The biology major is designed to provide a student with a broad education in the field as well as an opportunity to cover a specific aspect of biology in depth if she desires. The major has a strong research component, with all lab sections at both the introductory and advanced levels limited to 16 students, ensuring ample opportunity for interaction with faculty. Students also have the option of conducting individual research projects under the guidance of a faculty member. The senior requirement for the biology major can be completed either by enrolling in a senior seminar that involves reading and discussing the current literature in a specific area of biology or by completing a guided research project.
The requirements for a Biology major changed recently. How these changes affect you will depend upon the year you entered Barnard. Below are the requirements for students in the class of BC10 followed by the requirements for students in any subsequent graduating class.
If you have any questions at all please contact Professor Morton or Professor Glendinning and we will be happy to help you.
Major Requirements
Class of BC10
Introductory Biology: Students must complete both semesters of the 1500-level introductory sequence, including the lecture and laboratory components ( BIOL BC 1500, 1501, 1502, 1503). This series is equivalent to the previous 2001-2004 series which was completed by BC08 and BC09 students.
Six Upper Level Lecture Courses: Students must complete at least six lecture courses beyond the introductory sequence.
One of the six lecture courses must be selected from each of the following three groups:
1. Molecular and Cellular Level of Organization
BIOL BC 3302 Molecular Biology OR
BIOL BC 3310 Cell Biology OR
BIOL BC 2100 Mol. and Men. Genetics (previously BIOL BC3200)
2. Physiological Level of Organization
BIOL BC 3360 Animal Physiology OR
BIOL BC 3340 Plant Physiology OR
BIOL BC 3320 Microbiology
3. Ecological and Evolutionary Level of Organization
BIOL BC 2278 Evolution OR
BIOL BC 2272 Ecology OR
BIOL BC 3280 Applied Ecology and Evolution OR
BIOL BC 2240 Plant Evolution and Diversity
Three additional lecture courses may be selected from any Barnard Biology offering (including all of the courses listed above) or, with the department's chair's permission, from offerings in the Columbia Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology.
Three Upper Level Laboratory Courses: Students must complete at least three Biology laboratories beyond the 1500 level. Laboratories may require a lecture course as co-requisite or prerequisite; such requirements are specified in the Barnard catalog.
Research Option: A student may count two consecutive semesters of Guided Research and Seminar (BIOL BC3591x followed by BIOL BC3592y) as a laboratory course for the major. Biology laboratories at Barnard require a lab fee. Appropriate Biology courses at Columbia University may be used to satisfy the lab requirement, as may those at other institutions, with permission of the department chair.
Senior Seminar or Individual Research: Students must enroll in one section of the Senior Seminar (BC 3590) or complete two semesters of Senior Thesis Research (BIOL BC3593x followed by BIOL BC3594y). A student cannot take both Senior Thesis Research and Guided Research and Seminar at the same time.
Chemistry Requirement: One year of Chemistry with laboratory, including one term of Organic Chemistry, is required.
Major Requirements
Classes starting with BC11
The Introductory Biology requirement for the major will not change.
The main change is that instead of having the option of taking Genetics OR Molecular Biology OR Cell Biology as in previous years, beginning with the BC11 class Biology majors will be required to take Genetics. The department feels that his is a critical area of Biology for all majors and therefore we will require that all students complete it. Furthermore, the Genetics course will become a pre- or co-requisite for all other Upper Level courses so students will need to complete it early in their time at Barnard. The catalog copy for this will read:
Genetics: Students must complete BIOL BC2100 Molecular and Mendelian Genetics. It is recommended, but not required, that this be completed immediately following the completion of the Spring semester Introductory courses (BIOL BC1502 and 1503).
NOTE: This requirement does NOT exclude students from taking Molecular Biology and/or Cell Biology.
As a result of this change, instead of 6 additional courses students need only complete 5 additional Upper Level courses, one each in the remaining two areas of Biology. The catalog copy will read as follows:
Five Upper Level Lecture Courses: Students must complete at least five additional lecture courses at the 2000 and 3000 levels. One of the five lecture courses must be selected from each of the following two groups:
1. Physiological Level of Organization
BIOL BC 3360 Animal Physiology OR
BIOL BC 3340 Plant Physiology OR
BIOL BC 3320 Microbiology
2. Ecological and Evolutionary Level of Organization
BIOL BC 2278 Evolution OR
BIOL BC 2272 Ecology OR
BIOL BC 3280 Applied Ecology and Evolution OR
BIOL BC 2240 Plant Evolution and Diversity
The three additional lecture courses may be selected from any Barnard Biology offering (including all of the courses listed above) or, with the permission of the department chair, from offerings in the Columbia Department of Biological Sciences and the Columbia Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology.
The Chemistry, Upper Level Lab, Research and Senior components of the major requirement for the BC11 class will be the same as the requirements described above for the BC10 class.
Research
Students are strongly encouraged to engage in research at Barnard. Guided Laboratory Research (BIOL BC 3597) may be used for degree credit and Biology majors may also use guided research to fulfill major requirements as described above. However, students are encouraged to do more research than can be applied to the major requirements.
In addition to conducting research during the academic year, students are encouraged to pursue summer research internships. Barnard faculty engage many students in paid research projects during the summer. The departmental office also has information about summer internships outside Barnard. In addition, the department awards funds on a competitive basis to support summer research not otherwise funded by internships.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR
A minor in biology must include one year of introductory biology (BIOL BC1500, BC1501, BC1502, BC1503), three additional lecture courses at the 2100 level or higher, and two additional laboratory courses. One of the lab courses may be replaced by two semesters of Guided Research and Seminar (BIOL BC3591x followed by BIOL BC3592y).
Biochemistry, chemistry, environmental science, physics, and psychology majors need to take only one advanced laboratory instead of two, but the lab may not be a guided research course. |
