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

Doing that degree-audit arithmetic and need one or two more credits?

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. Pay special attention to the start dates of these courses.

**Be sure to check course descriptions for special registration procedures or necessary permissions.

Know of something that's not on here? Email SeniorClassDean@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 the first week of classes. PE courses may initially appear in your schedule as 0 credits and should then be transformed to 1 credit (if you are eligible) after the final registration deadline.

Pro Tip:
Unfortunately, there is little to no space in PE for students who want this as an elective. Only students who have not yet completed the PE requirement will be able to preregister for PE. If you have already satisfied this requirement, you can try attending the first meetings of some sections, but you should not count on this working.

Pro Tip 2:
Students May earn no more than 2 PE credits; transfer students may earn no more than 1 PE credit -- keep this in mind if exploring this option.


2. Take a dance class
Barnard dance technique classes are now TWO CREDITS. They may initially appear in your transcript as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request 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:

FRONTIERS OF ASTROPHYSICS
ASTR2900UN

Modern Library Resources for Scientific Research
CHEM3701BC

Chemical Engineering for Humanity
CHEN1000E

UNDERGRADUATE SEM/STATISTICS
STAT1202UN

If you're interested architecture, English, film, Sustainable Development, or...

MAKE LAB
ARCH1005UN

THE ENGLISH CONFERENCE
ENGL3098BC

ARTEMIS RISING SHORT COURSE IN FILMMAKING
FILM3090BC

ARTEMIS RISING SHORT COURSE IN FILM PRODUCTION
FILM3091BC

The New York City Watershed: From Community Displacement to Collaboration and Climate Adaptation
SDEV4550GU

WORKSHP ON WEALTH & INEQUALITY
SOCI4043GU

Workshop on Gender & Sexuality I
SOCI4048GU 

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 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:

1. Carefully read the course description to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development
2. 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. 
   
3. 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).
4. Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum. 
5. 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 1 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, fieldwork courses, etc., but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.

Pro Tip:
Check the detailed course descriptions for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.