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BIO 1500-level Frequently Asked Questions
BC1500x Introduction to Organismal and Evolutionary Biology (Fall)
BC1501x Introductory Lab in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology (Fall)
BC1502y Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (Spring)
BC1503y Introductory Lab in Cell and Molecular Biology (Spring)
Tell me about lab.
The lab is 3 hours long and meets once a week in room 912 or 913 Altschul. There is a 50 minute recitation section that accompanies the lab that meets either on Mondays or Fridays. The lecture and the lab are separate courses and you must take them during the same semester.
How do I sign up for lab if I'm a first-year student?
You will be placed into a lab section over the summer. You should receive an email to your Barnard email account about confirming your spot in lab right before the first week of lab. You must come to the Introductory Biology Lab Office (911 Altschul) if you do not receive an email by the time classes start. If you were not placed in a lab, talk to your advisor first and then come to the Introductory Biology Lab Office and sign up for a lab section.
How do I sign up for lab if I'm a current Barnard student?
Use eBear and register for BC1501 (Fall) or BC1503 (Spring). This will show up on your schedule as a 50 minute recitation on Friday or Monday. Your actual 3 hour lab section (with day and time) will not appear on your eBear schedule. You must sign up for your lab on sign up sheets that are on the 9 th floor of Altschul during fall/spring programming or through the Introductory Biology Lab Office once these sheets are no longer available (after the semester ends).
Where is the Introductory Biology Labs Office?
The office is at 911 Altschul. Telephone #: (212) 854-2153.
What times are labs offered?
Labs are usually offered during the following times (but are subject to change): Monday 1pm-4pm, Tuesday 9am- 12pm, Tuesday 1pm -4pm, Wednesday 10am- 1pm, Wednesday 2pm – 5pm, Thursday 1pm-4pm and Friday 10am-1pm .
Uh-oh! My lab was on my eBear schedule and now it's gone. Did I accidentally drop the lab?
No, the registrar may list your preliminary lab choice on your initial schedule. However, the registrar drops your specific lab time off your eBear schedule because only the Introductory Biology Lab Office keeps track of which lab you are finally signed up for.
Ummm…my lab section isn't showing up on eBear, but I know I signed up through the Introductory Biology Lab Office and I've confirmed my lab section. Am I still in the lab?
Yes, the registrar only keeps track if you are taking the course or not. The Introductory Biology Lab Office keeps track of what section of lab you are taking.
I'm confused – do I really need to sign up 3 times?
Yes, the lab course is separate from lecture so you must sign up for (1) the lecture: either BC 1500 (fall semester) or BC 1502 (spring semester) on eBear- this course will meet 3 times a week. Then you must sign up for (2) lab recitation BC 1501(fall semester) or 1503 (spring semester)on eBear, which meets once a week either on Monday or Friday (your choice) and only your lab recitation will appear on your schedule. Lastly, you need to sign up for a (3) 3 hour lab on our sign up sheets or go to the Introductory Biology Lab Office . This lab time will never show up on your eBear schedule.
What is recitation?
The Introductory Laboratory in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology (BC 1501 fall semester) / Introductory Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology (BC1503 spring semester) has two meetings a week. One is your 3 hour lab section (your 3 hour section will NOT appear on your eBear schedule). The other is recitation, which is a 50-minute lecture covering the material for the upcoming lab. Recitation is either on Friday 1:10pm-2:00pm or Monday 10:00am-10:50am in 304 Barnard Hall.
Why do I have to confirm my lab section?
Each class is limited to 16 students. In order to try to accommodate everybody as best as possible the Introductory Biology Lab Office has created a system for confirming student choices.
How do I confirm my lab section and when do I need to do that by?
You should receive an email during the first week of classes asking you to confirm your section. If you do not, please come to the Introductory Biology Lab Office (911 Altschul). You must confirm by noon on the first Friday of classes or you will lose your spot in lab.
I confirmed my lab section but now my schedule changed and I have a conflict. Can I still change my lab section?
Yes, you can still change your section during the first week of classes. You must come to the Introductory Biology Lab Office; you CANNOT do this over email.
I am a first-year and I was put into a lab section and I want to change it. Can I do that?
Yes, you must come to the Introductory Biology Lab Office during the first week of classes. You CANNOT do this over email.
The section I want/need to be in is full. Can I get on a waiting list?
Yes. Come to the Introductory Biology Lab Office to sign up. Do not write your name on the sign up sheets. You CANNOT do this over email.
Where is Lab?
Lab will be either in room 912 or 913 Altschul. On the first day of lab, an attendance sheet will be posted on the door which will inform you which room you are in.
When do labs start?
Labs begin on the first Monday of classes (first full week of school).
When does recitation start?
Recitation starts the first Friday of classes or the first Monday of classes, depending on what day you take recitation.
I will have to miss a lab because of a holiday observance. What do I do?
There are no excused absences in lab. You must attend every lab. If you have a holiday observance that conflicts with your lab section you have two choices. The Introductory Biology Lab Office strongly recommends that you change lab sections for the whole semester to a time that will not conflict at all. Alternatively, you will need to reschedule your lab for that week. Please inform the Introductory Biology Lab Office as soon as you know about a conflict, as this will help us accommodate you as best as possible.
I want to talk to someone in the Introductory Biology Lab Office. When is a good time to do that ?
In general, the Introductory Biology Lab Office is open from Monday – Friday 9:15am to 4:30pm. You can also contact Karolin Rafalski (212-854-2153) or Dr. Goldstein ( 212-854-5298) by phone or email. Both of their offices are in the 911 Altschul Introductory Biology Office. Do not hesitate to go see them. They are there to help you.
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