**Be sure to check course descriptions for special registration procedures or necessary permissions.
Know of something that's not on here? Email first-year@barnard.edu, and we'll add it!
1-2 credit course options:
1. Fulfill your PE requirement if you haven't yet.
Register online and be sure to attend the first class meeting. PE courses may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits and will then be transformed to 1 credit (if you are eligible) after the final registration deadline.
3. Depending on your background and interests, here are some popular ways to enrich your academic experience while also adding a credit or two.
Pro tips:
Some of these may be full, but you may be able to join a waiting list. Be sure to check course descriptions for prerequisites or special registration procedures!
For students who sing, play an instrument, or want to know more about music:
Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers -- see the Barnard Music Department website for info on auditions, voice lessons, and fees
Voice Lessons or Jazz or Classical Music Lessons -- see Music Department website for info about auditions and fees
These may be free for music majors and minors, and those participating in University Chorus or Orchestra -- there is additional cost for other students. Ear Training -- offered on a variety of levels, check Music Dept course listings for details
For students with some computer programming experience:
Programming Languages -- COMS-W3101.
Development Technology -- COMS-W3102
Check Computer Science Course Listings for current options. Sometimes these classes are added later than others, so if you don't see them now, you might find them during the fall semester.
If you're interested in science, math, statistics, or other quantitative fields:
Contact your department to see if you can earn credit for supervised research in a professor's lab
Or:
Chemical Engineering for Humanity
Undergraduate Seminar in Statistics
If you're interested in Theatre, Dance, or Backstage work:
Practicum or Rehearsal & Performance (Theatre or Dance) -- for actors, dancers, stage managers, prop or costume makers, and theatre tech people. Check the course description to see who to contact if you are interested.
g. If you have background in some languages and want to improve your fluency:
Check the course listings for 2-credit Intermediate or Advanced Conversation classes in French, Italian, or German,
Or supervised readings in languages -- varies each semester: past options have included Dutch, Sinhala, and Zulu.
h. If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics:
One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA) -- some meet the first half of the semester, some the second half, and some for just a few long and intensive sessions.
Search The SIPA Catalogue or Vergil for 1-2-credit SIPA classes for courses and *check the course dates to see when the course starts & ends*. You can't just register online for these. Here is the procedure:
Check to see if the class you want is on the list of SIPA courses approved for Barnard students (forthcoming -- link will be added when available; in the meantime, use your judgment to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development)
Double-check the course description to make sure your preferred class has not already met too much for you to be able to reasonably join it.
Contact the instructor to ask if there is space available and if it is appropriate for you given your background. Get any approvals in writing (email is fine).
Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum.
Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form (if the course has not yet started) or the petition to late-add (if the course has very recently started and you have instructor permission).
4. Search Vergil for courses between 0 and 2 credits.
You'll have to scroll through a lot of things that may not help you, like labs for courses you're not taking, courses limited to class years other than yours, but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.
Pro Tip:
Check the detailed course descriptions in the Directory of Classes for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.
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