Need an extra credit or two this fall? Here are a few options

If you're having trouble getting up to the number of credits you need and are looking for a 1-2-credit course to add, here are some options and tips. While it is too late to add many of these, several of the short courses at the School of International and Public Affairs or in Computer Science may not have started yet.

**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.

2. Take a dance class

Barnard dance technique classes are now TWO CREDITS. They may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request 2 points of Dance Credit.

 

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

Frontiers of Astrophysics 

Science and Scientists 

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.

How to search Vergil for classes with open seats and other relevant criteria

 

Columbia has launched an updated Course Search in Vergil, which Barnard students can also use. 

The tool has similar search criteria as Student Planning, including the ability to look for classes that satisfy Barnard General Education (Foundations) requirements, classes with a particular number of credits, etc. 

NOTE ON FOUNDATIONS REQS: for Barnard requirements, be sure to cross reference anything found here with the Slate listing of courses approved for Foundations requirements.

It also has the option to “Only show classes with open seats” in the search results. 

You can also filter by term, number of credits, Foundations designation (again confirm this with the Barnard page!), course number, and more!