Degree
Requirements
- Autumn 2000
- Prior to 2000Major Requirements
General
Education Requirements
- First Year Seminar
- First Year English
- Foreign Language
- Laboratory Science
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Distribution
--Part A
--Part B
- Physical Education
- Electives
- Length of Residence
- Transfer Requirements
- Transfer Credit
- Classification of Students
- Filing of Diploma Name Cards
Academic
Admin Services
About the Faculty |
Students are recommended by the Faculty of Barnard College
to the Trustees of Columbia University for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, the only degree
awarded to Barnard students. The degree requires the satisfactory completion of 120 points
of academic work and two terms of physical education. All students must be enrolled
full-time and must complete a major and fulfill general education requirements.
All students must complete the requirements of an approved
major. The number of required courses for the major depends on the major chosen (see
individual department and program curriculum statements), but a minimum of six semester
courses must be completed while the student is enrolled at Barnard. A course graded D will
not satisfy a major requirement. The student registers her chosen major with the Office of
the Registrar and with her major department or program, normally in the second term of her
sophomore year. The major may be chosen from any listed in the Barnard Catalogue. A
student may major in two fields by satisfying all the major requirements prescribed by
each department, with no overlapping courses. If either or both of the disciplines qualify
for Part A of the Distribution Requirement, two courses in one qualifying discipline may
count toward that requirement. A combined or special major may be designed in consultation
with the chairs of the appropriate departments and with the approval of the Committee on
Programs and Academic Standing. Committee approval is not needed for the double major that
comprises all the course requirements of two majors with one integrating senior project,
but the form designated for such a double major must be filed with the Registrar and the
two departments.
Barnard's general education program is designed to provide
direction and continuity while giving students opportunities to shape their own programs
of study. Barnard offers a rigorous but flexibly structured set of requirements which
afford students a range of choice in almost every instance. The requirements follow.
FIRST-YEAR
SEMINAR
First-year students are required to take this one-semester
course, which provides special opportunities to develop some of the intellectual skills
and styles which will be central to subsequent academic work. The enhancement of writing
and communication skills is emphasized, as is the group-discussion mode of intellectual
inquiry and discourse. Seminars adopt major themes or issues, and participants read and
discuss leading philosophical, historical, literary, or scientific statements of them. A
representative sample of First-Year Seminars, with descriptions and the names of
instructors, begins on page 193. Transfers are not required to take the First-Year
Seminar.
FIRST-YEAR
ENGLISH
First-year students must take the one-semester writing course
ENG BC 1201 (First-Year English), designed to cultivate and develop prose writing and
related tools of scholarship. Reading and writing assignments focus on major works of
literature. This course may not be taken on a Pass/D/Fail basis. Some students may gain
exemption from the course with an Advanced Placement (AP) test score of 4 or 5.
International students are required to exhibit a degree of fluency before enrolling in
this course. Transfers are not required to take this course but must have earned exemption
or completed an equivalent course before graduation.
FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
Students must achieve basic competence in one ancient or modern
foreign language. The requirement is fulfilled by completion of the fourth sequential
semester or a more advanced course for which the fourth semester is prerequisite. (In
Latin, both Latin V 1201 and V 1202 or their equivalents must be completed.) The faculty
recommends that in general (i) the intermediate year be completed at Barnard; (ii)
elementary courses be completed in the first year; (iii) courses be taken consecutively
without interruption; and (iv) proficiency be established by the end of the junior year.
Reenrollment without credit is required for students whose work in any of the first three
semesters is graded below C.
Exceptions:
- Completion of Spanish BC 1208x for Spanish-speaking students
(taken only with the instructor's permission) will qualify on recommendation of the
instructor.
- Enrolled students who complete the third or fourth semester
of French outside the Barnard department must take a departmental examination to qualify
for fulfillment.
Exemptions:
- Re-centered CEEB SAT II score of 781 or higher; re-centered
CEEB SAT II score of 700 or higher in Hebrew only. No exemptions granted for CEEB SAT II
scores in Chinese or Japanese.
- AP score of 4 or 5.
- Departmental examination.
- Students with native English who study in a high school
where the language of instruction is not English (e.g., French, for alumnae of the Lycée
Français).
- For international students for whom English was not the
primary language of instruction in high school, satisfactory completion of English BC 1201
or one satisfactory year at Barnard.
Placement:
- Re-centered CEEB SATII score of 680-780, fourth
semester; 570-679, third semester; 400-569, second semester; below 400, first semester,
for German.
- Re-centered CEEB SATII score of 690-780, fourth
semester; 570-689, third semester; 420-569, second semester; below 420, first semester,
for French and Spanish.
- For languages other than French, Spanish, and German,
placement will be determined by departmentally administered examinations.
- For transfer students: the course following the level of the
last satisfactorily completed semester course; however, formal withdrawal and reenrollment
in a more suitable course may be required for students who are judged by the department to
be inappropriately placed and in need of additional preparation or review. In such a case,
transfer credit for the previous course is rescinded to allow the student to receive
credit for the Barnard/Columbia course of equivalent level. Taking the departmental
placement exam is recommended.
- By departmental examination, if there is no CEEB score or
previous college transfer work. Please note that previous standards are in effect for
students who took the College Board examination prior to re-centering in 1995.
Credit:
- Credit is given for courses satisfactorily completed in
residence at Barnard or, in the case of a transfer, at her previous college.
- No prior assurance of degree credit is given for summer or
transfer work in foreign language courses. For work completed at other colleges, credit is
granted with departmental approval, or by examination, or on completion of the next level
at Barnard.
- No credit is granted for work equivalent to a level already
completed and credited.
- Although credit for the first semester of an elementary
language is not normally granted unless a more advanced course is completed, a student is
granted one exception maximum to this rule on written request to the Registrar.
LABORATORY
SCIENCE
Students must complete one year of science (two lecures and two
labs) in the same field. Acceptable courses must meet for at least three hours of lecture
and three hours of laboratory per week. The student must pass both the lecture and the
laboratory portion of the course, and the College strongly suggests that the two be taken
concurrently. The following courses meet these requirements: Astronomy -AST V 1753-1754 or
AST C 1403-1404, both with the lab AST C 1903-1904 Biology BC 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004 Chemistry -BC 1601 and BC 1602 BC 1601 and BC 3230 with BC 3328 C 1403-C 1404
with C 1500 and one additional laboratory course, e.g., BC 1702, BC 3328, BC 3338, or
C3543. Environmental BC 1001, 1002, V 1001, 1011-1012, S 1011-1012, Science V 2100, 2200,
2300 (any two) -Students who have completed BC 1001 or V 2100 and subsequently study at
the Biosphere may complete the lab science requirement with the Biosphere work. Physics
-BC 1206, 1207, 1208 (any two); F, V, or W 1201-1202 with 1291-1292; V 1301-1302 with
1391-1392; V 1051-1052; C1001-1002 with BC 1091-1092 Psychology -BC 1105, BC 1108, BC
1117, BC 1123, BC 1127, BC 1130, BC 1136, BC 1156 (any two from different groups: see
Major Requirements) Students wishing to substitute a course sequence not given above,
transfer students, and those with Advanced Placement should consult the appropriate
department chair for guidance with respect to fulfilling this requirement.
QUANTITATIVE
REASONING
In order to graduate, students must pass one of the courses
listed below in which the major topics are mathematics, methods of empirical analysis
using quantitative data, or the use of symbolic manipulation to solve problems. These
courses can count both toward a major or distribution requirement and for the Quantitative
Reasoning Requirement. Students may fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement by
securing Advanced Placement in mathematics, chemistry, computer science, or physics or
transfer credit for a course listed below or for an equivalent course. A student who
fulfills the Laboratory Science Requirement in chemistry, physics, or astronomy
simultaneously satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement. Astronomy V 1753, V1754,
C 1403-1404 Biology BC 3386 Chemistry BC 1601, C 1403, C 1404 Computer Science Any course
carrying degree credit except W 1001 CU Summer S1021D, S1022Q Economics BC 2411
Environmental BC 3015 and BC 3016 (Both courses must be taken.) Science Mathematics Any
course carrying degree credit Philosophy V 3411, V 3415 (F 3410 does not fulfill the
requirement.) Physics Any course carrying degree credit Political Science BC 3345
Psychology BC 1101 Quantitative All courses carrying degree credit except BC 1001
Reasoning Sociology BC 3211, V 3212 Statistics Any course carrying degree credit Urban
Studies UAF BC 3200 Program Evaluation: Methods and Case Studies
DISTRIBUTION
Courses satisfying Part A are identified in this catalogue by
the letter H (for Humanities) or S (for Social Sciences) on the last line of the course
description. Courses satisfying Part B are identified by the Roman numeral I, II, or III
(corresponding to one of the three categories listed below) on the last line of the course
description. When a course satisfies both Part A and Part B, its description will be
accompanied by both the letter H or S and the Roman numeral I, II, or III. In certain
cases, it is possible to satisfy both Part A and Part B of the distribution requirement
with the same courses, but all students must take at least two courses in the Humanities
and two in the Social Sciences.
Part A:
Students must complete four one-semester courses outside the major, two in the
Humanities and two in the Social Sciences. In each of these areas, only one of the two
courses may be interdisciplinary.
The distribution requirement in the Humanities may be fulfilled by courses in Art
History, Philosophy, Religion, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, any literature, the
history or literature of music, the history of dance or theatre, or Humanities C 1001 or C
1002, and by designated courses in Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures, Pan African Studies,
or Women's Studies.
The distribution requirement in the Social Sciences may be fulfilled by courses in
History, American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Linguistics, Political Science,
Sociology, or Contemporary Civilization C 1101 or C 1102, and by designated courses in
Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures, Pan African Studies, Urban Studies, or Women's Studies.
Part B:
Students must complete four one-semester courses (tranfers must complete three)
chosen from the three categories listed below, with no more than two courses from any one
category.
I. Comparative Studies of Culture and Society
II. Societies and Cultures of Asia, the Pacific, Africa, or the Middle East
III. Societies and Cultures of Europe or the Americas
Courses taken for Distribution - Part B may also qualify to fulfill Distribution -
Part A. Courses that qualify for the major or a minor may also qualify for Distribution -
Part B.
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
Students admitted as first-year students must complete two
semesters of Physical Education at Barnard. One semester must be passed in the first year
and the second semester must be successfully completed during the sophomore year.
Sophomore and junior transfers are required to complete one semester of Physical Education
at Barnard. Transfers are expected to complete their requirement by the end of junior
year. Failure to complete the requirement by the specified deadlines will result in a
failing grade. Physical Education courses are graded pass-fail based on attendance and
participation. Studio Dance courses may be taken to fulfill the Physical Education
requirement.
ELECTIVES
Apart from fulfilling general education requirements and major
requirements, the student completes the remainder of the 120-point requirement with
elective courses, either within or outside the major department, subject to the approval
of the appropriate adviser. No more than 18 points of studio, performing arts, or
professional school courses (including film) may be credited toward the A.B. degree. Of
these, a maximum of four arts studio courses may be credited. A maximum of six courses in
instrumental instruction may be credited (except for Music majors and minors, who may take
eight, including piano instruction). One-point dance technique courses taken by non-dance
majors for credit are also included in the existing 18-point maximum which may be credited
toward the degree. A maximum of six courses in dance technique may be credited; however, a
student does not receive academic credit for a dance technique course until she has
completed or is currently completing the Physical Education requirement. Exceptions to
this rule are allowed only for courses in the major field or for courses taken in
fulfillment of requirements for double and joint degree programs with professional schools
of the University. (See page 52.) A maximum of 24 points may be credited for studio or
performance courses in the major field. A minimum of 90 points of traditional liberal arts
courses is required for the student who majors in such a field; for all other majors, a
minimum of 102 points of such courses is required.
LENGTH
OF RESIDENCE
Students are expected to be registered full-time (12 points
minimum) for four years. Transfer students must complete at least 60 points and two years
full-time in residence at Barnard to receive the degree (see below for additional
information). Under certain conditions, it is possible for a senior to complete her work
for the degree while registered in absentia, with the permission of the Committee on
Programs and Academic Standing.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
A student admitted to Barnard with fewer than 24 points of
credit is considered a first-year student and is subject to all requirements for
first-year students, including First-Year Seminar, two semesters of Physical Education,
and four courses in Distribution-Part B. A student admitted with 24 credits or more is
considered a transfer student. To receive the A.B. degree at Barnard, a transfer student
must attend Barnard for at least four regular academic terms during which she must
complete at least 60 points, including at least six courses in the major field (and three
in the minor field, if a minor is elected). Additional major (and minor) courses, as well
as general education requirements, may be satisfied by transfer courses. Exemption from
the foreign language requirement may be attained on the basis of College Entrance
Examination Board Achievement scores alone or by a combination of those scores and
additional college work. Those who do not receive exemption must complete the normal
language requirement (see page 41). Transfer students are eligible for general honors when
both overall and Barnard averages meet the required academic standards.
TRANSFER
CREDIT
Courses completed at other accredited colleges and universities
which are similar in content and depth to Barnard courses may be submitted for transfer
credit. Transfer courses are evaluated after a complete transcript is received in the
Office of the Registrar. Students are asked to submit catalogues and course descriptions
with their requests for transfer credit to the Admissions Office. Credit for approved work
at another institution is applied to Barnard's 120-point graduation requirement with a
maximum of 16 points per term. Credit cannot be granted for courses with grades lower than
C minus. Acceptable transfer work does not usually include applied or professional courses
or more than the equivalent of two Barnard studio courses. The first term of an elementary
language course is not normally credited unless or until the second term or a more
advanced course has been satisfactorily completed, but a student may request a single
exception to this ruling. Transfer students may apply for credit for previous summer
courses under the regulations governing summer study (see page 49). First-year students
with a record of prior coursework taken as non-matriculants at an accredited college in
the United States may request up to 15 points of transfer credit. Such work will be
evaluated after the student has completed 12 points at Barnard. Grades for this course
work are included in the overall average (see page 24).
CLASSIFICATION
OF STUDENTS
Students are classified as follows: Matriculated Points
completed First-Year fewer than 24 Sophomore 24-51 Junior 52-85 Senior 86 or more
Unclassified transfer students who have not yet been assigned credit Non-matriculated:
Other college degree candidates (visiting students) Barnard alumnae auditing courses
Barnard alumnae taking courses for credit Any other student who is not a degree candidate
A degree candidate (i.e., a student who is matriculated) is expected to be enrolled for at
least 12 points each term and may not change her status to non-matriculated.
FILING
OF DIPLOMA NAME CARDS
The Diploma Name Card, available in the Office of the
Registrar, is the student's official notification to the Registrar that she expects to
have completed all requirements for the degree and to receive the diploma on a particular
graduation date. Degrees are granted in May, October, and February. The filing of the card
sets in motion the processing of the student's academic records in preparation for
graduation. It is the student's responsibility to file the Diploma Name Card before
published deadlines (see College Calendar). Graduation ceremonies are held in February and
May. |
