This semester, we’re bringing back Science 101, Bwog’s semi-regular advice column geared towards science students! In this edition, Science Editor and Environmental Biology major Sydney Wells explains all the different biological science majors at Barnumbia.

Biology

• This is the classic, straight-up, purely biological Biology major. The CC and GS majors place emphasis on cellular and molecular biology, whereas at Barnard, there are five tracks to choose from, including both General Biology and Cellular and Molecular Biology (more on some of these later!). The Biology major is particularly popular amongst pre-med students, and there are many opportunities to gain laboratory experience within the various Biology labs.
• Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
• Cool classes: BIOL UN3019: Brain Evolution, BIOL UN3320: Regulation of Behaviors for Survival, BIOL BC3352: Development, BIOL BC3308: Microbial Genomics.
• Senior thesis requirements
  • CC: None
  • Barnard: Senior Capstone Experience—Senior Seminar in Biology (one semester) or Senior Thesis Research and Seminar (two semesters) required
  • GS: None
• Student testimonial: “One thing I enjoy about the Biology major is the extensive resources the department offers. There are always positions available in labs. I also like how there’s a tried-and-true structure to the first half of the major, and you can follow your own biological interests in the second half.”

Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species

• EBHS, also known as biological anthropology at other institutions, allows you to study the evolution of humans and our closest ancestors, the primates. This major is hugely interdisciplinary, and its requirements fall across the biology, psychology, and anthropology departments. Definitely check out this major if you’re interested in how biology and human culture can interact.
• Offered by: Columbia College, School of General Studies.
  • Note: Barnard does not have a formal EBHS or biological anthropology major, but the Anthropology bulletin states that anyone “interested in studying Biological Anthropology may pursue these interests through the Archaeology Track.”
• Cool classes: EEEB UN3208: Explorations in Primate Anatomy, EEEB UN3910: The Neandertals, ANTH UN3970: Biological Basis of Human Variation.
• Senior thesis requirements
  • CC: None
  • GS: None

Biophysics

• Yet another interdisciplinary major on the bulletin, Biophysics involves taking methods and ideas traditionally found in physics and applying them to the study of living things. Based off the course requirements, it’s a lot of biology and a lot of physics. So, if you can’t choose between those two majors, maybe give this one a go!
• Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
  • Note: Biophysics is not a formal major at Barnard, and students interested in studying it “should speak to a faculty member early on (i.e., by late fall of her sophomore year).”
• Cool classes: BIOC GU4323/4: Biophysical Chemistry I/II, BIOL GU4002: Macromolecular Structure and Interactions.
• Senior thesis requirements
  • CC: None
  • Barnard: Must speak to a faculty member about major courses
  • GS: None

Environmental Biology

• If you’re more into the biology of plants, animals, and ecosystems, the Environmental Biology major is definitely worth exploring. CC and GS both offer Environmental Biology degrees, whereas Barnard offers an Ecology & Evolution track within their Biology major. With less of a focus on cellular and molecular biology, these majors are great for students interested in conservation, environmental research, or sustainability!
• Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
• Cool classes: BIOL BC2240: Plant Evolution and Diversity, EEEB UN3087: Conservation Biology, EEEB GU4210: Herpetology.
• Senior thesis requirements
  • CC: Senior thesis required
  • Barnard: Senior Capstone Experience—Senior Seminar in Biology (one semester) or Senior Thesis Research and Seminar (two semesters) required
  • GS: Senior thesis required
• Student testimonial: “I’m an Environmental Biology major in CC and I love it! Everyone in the department is super nice and I’ve never had to be on a waitlist. The classes are so interesting (Ethnobotany! Forest Ecology! Wow!), I get FOMO every semester about ones I’m not taking.”

Biomedical Engineering

• Biomedical Engineering is one of those majors where nobody knows what it is unless they’re doing it (at least, I hope they do?). Basically, biomedical engineers apply principles of engineering and design to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes.
• Offered by: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Cool classes: BMEN E4510: Tissue Engineering, BMEN E3150: The Cell as a Machine, BMEN E4305: Cardiac Mechanics.
• Senior thesis requirements
  • SEAS: Biomedical Engineering Design (two semesters)
• Student testimonial: “I applied to Columbia with the intention of being a biomedical engineering student and my time here has only served to reaffirm my decision. Generally speaking, the classes require us to put a fair amount of work in, especially since we share so many with the premed track, but the general sense of community it fosters is unparalleled. And like I hinted to in the previous sentence, the major is basically pre-med, MechE, ChemE, and EE all wrapped up into one, so there’s a lot of choices in terms of electives and potential career paths. Not for the light-hearted but I wouldn’t trade the experience for any other.”

Biochemistry

• Although this major resides in the Chemistry Department of both Barnard and Columbia, biochemistry in general exists at the intersection of biology and chemistry. This major involves studying the chemical processes that take place inside of living things, so if you’re interested in nucleic acids, enzymes, and metabolism, check it out!
• Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
• Cool classes: CHEM BC3282: Biological Chemistry, CHEM GU4102: Chemistry for the Brain, CHEM GU4313: Peptide and Protein Chemistry.
• Senior thesis requirements
  • CC: None
  • Barnard: Senior Honors Thesis Seminar (two semesters) or Guided Research (one semester)
  • GS: None

Gel electrophoresis via Wikimedia Commons