<p>I am a New Yorker who would like to major in Biology and would eventually like to enter medical school. Majoring in a science at a Liberal Arts institution is, indeed, a unique academic experience, and one that I believe I would really enjoy.</p>
<p>My main issue is that Bard is not known for sciences. Recently, a new facility was built to establish a stronger science department for the college and open new opportunities for students. Before that, Bard had little to no focus on this field of study. </p>
<p>Bard is a very expensive school compared to public research universities in New York and costs around the same as private ones, such as University of Rochester; moreover, I am one who likes to get maximum utility for the money I spend. I would prefer to go to Bard for its general curriculum and atmosphere, but if the Bard science program is not strong and will significantly restrict laboratory experience, then I will have to look at another option. My grades and scores are very strong, but the Distinguished Scientist Scholars Program (DSS) is, most likely, out of reach, due to my lack of technical experience in the field.</p>
<p>What are the significant advantages of majoring in a science (specifically biology or premedical studies) at Bard? What opportunities are here that are lacked at research institutions? Is Bard’s science program considered to be strong now?</p>
<p>You can network with professors ahead of time and get a sense of how strong the program is. I would suggest this, rather than getting one or two random opinions from people who don’t really know but have “heard” something, and pass it off as “fact”.</p>
<p>Most of the stuff flying around out there regarding Bard is pure myth. The fact is it is a highly rigorous liberal arts college that embraces the arts, much more than most schools.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the sciences here, BUT I do know that it’s fairly easy to get into the departments because they’re currently not as in demand as the arts. Professors are excited when students want to major in any science or math here. Also, classes here will be significantly smaller than at most colleges for several reasons: 1) the largest possible class at Bard is 80 students for a lecture class, and this enormity is usually used for film. This is smaller than most Intro to [insert class here] at any school, 2) there’s a commitment here to small classes to provide a personal growth and a personal relationship between professor and student, 3) there are just fewer students in these classes.</p>
<p>From my friends who are in the sciences and math, biology/pre-med included, it seems to be incredibly enriching and there are tons of opportunities for you to do research with professors because of how small the department is. It’s also not even remotely as competitive as at other colleges.</p>
<p>We visited Bard two years ago in the spring and saw the science building. The labs are spacious and modern just like the architecture of the building. Next, we joined a tour in progress in the art building and overheard the biology major tour guide commenting that he had a 10 page paper due that week. Even the biology majors appear to do a lot of writing. Perhaps someone actually at Bard can verify this. If you are a science person and love to write, it may be a great school for you.</p>
<p>Take a look at Bard’s Citizen Science program and the president’s recent discussion of the role of sciene in liberal arts and sciences education, including on the The Colbert Report recently. One of Bard’s current admissions ads says Sciences and Liberal Arts, with the “are” crossed out and “and” written in to read “Sciences are Liberal Arts.”</p>
<p>Hi DudeCollege,
I am actually a third year biology major at Bard. To answer your first question, bard doesn’t have a specific pre-medical major. Pre-med just means taking physics, a year of bio, gen chem, and organic chemistry… all of these courses are offered at bard, and there are quite a few pre-med students. I’m clearly biased because I’m a bio major at bard, but their science department is very strong. Apparently 80% of premeds at bard get accepted to medical school (50% is the national average). The biggest advantage to me is that it’s small. You know everyone in the biology department pretty quickly. You should know that bard definitely attracts more ecology bio majors than molecular, which if you’re doing pre-med sounds like you’re probably interested in doing molecular. You can do research at bard for molecular, but you’ll probably do it through the chemistry department. Otherwise bard has a joint program with rockefellar university (which gives you connects to both cornell weil and columbia p&s) that takes place during the spring of your junior year and allows you to do research with doctors. Most students across the country have to apply to the program (it’s something like a %5 acceptance rate), whereas if you demonstrate interest and skill in molecular biology you have the option of going without applying. If you get into bard and decide to go, I highly recommend taking gen chem immediately, orgo in your second year, and physics in your first or second year. I’ve done all of the premed requirements, although I don’t see myself applying to medical school. I really recommend getting it out of the way in the beginning though, so you can focus more on what you want to do, rather than what you have to do to become a doc.</p>
<p>oh and yes, core requirements bio 201 eukaryotic genetics & 202 ecology and evolution are writing intensive, although 202 is more excel intensive. And you have to take 4 credits at the 400 level which are usually in 2 credit seminars, all of which are writing and reading intensive.</p>
<p>Thank you, momwonders, paranoidsenior, chemusic, lilygrades, and heyalb, for your information and insight. After looking into the research opportunities online and reading the replies, I still have an interest in Bard. </p>
<p>One more thing, though, if you current students don’t mind: Do you think that a science professor would be accessible enough to discuss the opportunities and advantages of the Bard science program with a potential Bard student if one were to contact him/her electronically?</p>
<p>Heck yes, I emailed Felicia (i forget her last name) asking about the biochemistry concentration and she responded within an hour or two and gave me a highly personalized, informal and informative email. I was totally shocked. definitely feel free to contact the faculty!</p>