<p>My Daughter is looking for strong physical science programs (theoretical physics) but is more inclined toward smaller colleges. Her research adviser strongly suggested she look at Columbia, but D isn’t excited (says its too big and doesn’t like the Core). So I came up with the idea that Barnard may be a way to have both the intimate college and the research opportunities. So my question for any current or graduated Barnard folks - How integrated is Barnard into Columbia University? Does it make sense that she could major in physics at Barnard and expect to do substantial portion of classes/research at Columbia? Or is this an inappropriate idea and should she be applying to Columbia if that is her desire? </p>
<p>The schools are very closely integrated. Here’s a link to the page for the Barnard physics major: <a href=“http://www.phys.barnard.edu/”>http://www.phys.barnard.edu/</a></p>
<p>Specific requirements for a physics major are set out here:
<a href=“http://www.phys.barnard.edu/index_8_Academics2.htm”>http://www.phys.barnard.edu/index_8_Academics2.htm</a></p>
<p>Courses which have the letters “BC” are given at Barnard, by Barnard faculty. (example PHY BC 2001 - Physics I)</p>
<p>The courses which you see on the page with the letter “C” are given at Columbia, by Columbia faculty – but fully open to Barnard students. (example: AST C 2001, Intro to Astrophysics)</p>
<p>If the course has a V or a W, then it could be given at either campus, from faculty based at either campus. (example: PHY W 3006, Quantum Physics) (It wouldn’t really matter in terms of signing up – students would more likely make choices according to their own scheduling needs or student reviews of specific faculty members)</p>
<p>There is one course listed on that page with a G - that signifies a graduate level course – which would be housed at Columbia.</p>
<p>A Barnard student majoring in physics would likely end up taking a lot of course work at Columbia, whatever the course designation.</p>
<p>It is unitary registration system – that is, students just select all the courses they want when they pre-register. </p>
<p>Here’s the page where you can find which courses are actually being offered next year:
<a href=“CU Directory of Classes”>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/</a>
I notice that although an introductory Physics course sequence is listed on the Barnard web site, when you you look at the actual schedule, it isn’t being offered in Fall, 2014 - so Barnard students would in 2014 would probably take the V-series (which as noted above, could be at either campus, but is more likely to be taught a Columbia). Looking at the courses listed on that page will also give you a sense of class size. So if your daughter wants a smaller college because she is hoping for smaller classes - that would be another factor to consider. </p>
<p>If your daughter doesn’t like the idea of the Core, you might want to check out the distribution requirements for Barnard’s 9 Ways of Knowing – the Barnard requirement are far more flexible than the core, but there are still a lot of requirements. My D. wouldn’t have wanted the Core, either – but your D. could have different reasons than mine. </p>
<p>My D graduated from Barnard in 2009 with a neuroscience major…so, not physical science but bio. She was chosen as an Amgen Scholar at Columbia for the Summer after her sophomore year, so was definitely able to take advantage of the larger University resources in that way. Her undergrad thesis work was done in the lab of one of the Barnard profs, though. And that experience was priceless in that she actually spent a summer helping this prof set up a brand new lab…One of her suite mates was pre-med and worked in the lab of a Columbia University prof during a good bit of her undergrad time as well. She may have even done her thesis there…</p>
<p>I suspect that opportunities for physics majors would be similar. </p>
<p>Thanks so much! we will definitely be making a visit this summer!</p>
<p>Whatever research advisor who came up with the idea of Columbia for physics undergrad was either grossly misinformed or mistook Columbia for Cornell.</p>
<p>Colleges to look at for physics are: Harvey Mudd, Reed and Wesleyan. Caltech, which has only 1000 undergrads, should also be considered.</p>
<p>Barnard? No way!</p>
<p>When my daughter graduated there were only 6 Physics majors. The students get a lot of individual attention.</p>
<p>Columbia is fine for a physics B.S. degree. Frankly, just about any university will have the same courses. What you need to decide is whether the type of school fits you and your ultimate goals. For someone who is set on going to a Ph.D. program, then research experience is critical and you have to make sure that your school provides you with those opportunities. Apart from that, if you challenge yourself and take a rigorous course load seriously, then you will have a fine physics degree.</p>
<p>^Barnard and Columbia award only a BA in physics. Barnard has different courses and requirements for the major from Columbia. The two are different institutions, although that obviously isn’t known by an IIT admission rep. </p>