The Barnard Degree The Curriculum On This Page Your academic journey at Barnard is shaped by the innovative Foundations curriculum. Exhilaratingly rigorous yet flexible, Foundations hones your ability to skillfully interpret information, think critically, and powerfully communicate your ideas. With Foundations, you will explore disciplines across the arts and sciences and master different Modes of Thinking, including a distinct technology requirement that sets Barnard apart. How the Curriculum Works Barnard’s curriculum allows you to forge your own path. To satisfy Foundations, you will take general requirement courses across a range of disciplines — allowing you to explore your interests and discover the field you want to major in. “I had such a hard time deciding what I wanted to major in, but my professors encouraged me that my experience at Barnard would give me the tools to think critically, work hard, and fight for myself and that these skills would be useful in any position, career-wise or not, moving forward.” — Emma Cunningham ’20, English major The First-Year Experience You’ll launch your intellectual journey with a two-semester sequence of intensive seminar classes. Composed only of Barnard students, our small and collaborative women-centered classrooms are what makes a Barnard education unique. The Seminars First-Year Writing: Critical Conversations First-Year Seminar: Special Topics or Reacting to the Past Physical Education The Physical Education requirement allows students to pursue their personal interests and learn the importance of regular participation in physical activity in the pursuit of wellness. Interested in building your core strength? Want to take a break from the world and finally take some yoga? General Education Requirements During your sophomore year, you’ll expand on and strengthen the critical thinking and writing skills that drove your first-year experience. The General Education Requirements weave together Distributional Requirements and Modes of Thinking. This intersection encourages you to explore multiple disciplines before picking your major and helps you make connections between topics and subjects. You can also choose electives that support and extend your interests. Distributional Requirements Modes of Thinking How to Request a Course to Fulfill a GER Choosing a Major Don’t be surprised if you end up picking a major that has nothing to do with what interested you when you first arrived on campus. Your time at Barnard will introduce you to new fields of study that excite you. With support from your advisor, you’ll decide on a major that will anchor your remaining study at Barnard. Each of the College’s 50-plus majors and programs engage you in a thorough analysis of your subject and high-level content. See Areas of Study “Your major does not dictate your career path.” — President Sian Leah Beilock The Senior Thesis or Project After three years of interdisciplinary breadth and disciplinary depth, you’re ready to take on your senior project: a semester- or year-long endeavor that represents the culmination of your work in your major. Your senior project could be a written thesis, a creative project, supervised original research in a lab, or even research within a dedicated senior seminar. Senior projects are often presented at a campus-wide event, and abstracts for all senior theses are collected and published. Electives The number of electives you take will vary and may include a minor or prerequisites for professional school. They may be adjacent to your major, intersect with it in an innovative way, or offer an opportunity to try something completely different. Whichever way you go, you’ll have a full menu of courses from which to choose. Choosing Your Classes How to choose? Speak with your class dean or faculty advisor Explore what the different departments and programs at Barnard offer Check major and minor requirements, course listings, and detailed Foundations requirements in the course catalog Search the Columbia directory of classes for courses on both sides of Broadway Visit the Office of the Registrar website for detailed instructions on registering for classes Site Footer Footer About the College Visit Diversity & Inclusion Nondiscrimination & Title IX Privacy Policy Copyright © 2021 Barnard College | Columbia University | 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 | 212.854.5262 Barnard College’s website uses cookies and similar tools and technologies to understand the experience of our visitors. By continuing to use this website, you consent to Barnard College’s usage of cookies and similar technologies in accordance with the college’s Cookie Notice OK