2026-2027 Faculty
Chair
Lisa Northrop (Senior Associate)
Associate
Melanie Rodriguez
Term Associate
Eliana Laessig
Adjunct Associates
India Choquette
Talese Hunt
Stephen Shulman
Degree Requirement
All Physical Education courses are one point of credit and are one semester long. As part of the college’s Foundations curriculum, one course that fulfills the Physical Education requirement must be completed by the end of the first year. This requirement can be fulfilled in multiple ways as described below. One additional point of elective Physical Education may be counted towards the 122 credits required for graduation, if space is available. Transfer students must consult their transfer credit evaluation to see if a PE class is needed. If so, they must complete one semester of Physical Education by the end of the Junior Year. They are not eligible for the second point of credit. All PE courses are graded Pass/Fail based on attendance and participation.
Registration: Registration takes place on Vergil during the student’s assigned Registration window. Waitlists are not available as students are expected to sign up for an open class and attend on the first day. Drops and adds may occur through Vergil during the student’s assigned registration window.
Dance Department: Dance technique courses also fulfill the Physical Education requirement. All Dance Technique courses receive a letter grade as opposed to an automatic Pass/Fail grade. Consult the Dance Department for more information.
Columbia University Athletics: The Physical Education requirement may be fulfilled through satisfactory participation on an intercollegiate athletic team (including the cheerleading and dance teams) at Columbia University. A student participating on an intercollegiate team must add the team course number on their program and must have their coach's signed verification of participation. A limited number of Columbia extracurricular sports clubs may be approved for PE credit if the student is already participating. Students must contact Columbia Physical ducation directly for information about these clubs. First-Year students wishing to fulfill their PE requirement through these options must submit a Columbia University Course Exception form on Slate requesting an exception to the First Year at Barnard requirement.
Students with Disabilities: Students with permanent or temporary disabilities will be individually advised and placed in a suitable activity, based upon the recommendations of the Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources and Disability Services (CARDS). There are no exemptions from the PE requirement.
Prior to registering for a Physical Education course (or even before entering Barnard), students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss their needs with the Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources and Disability Services (CARDS) and Chair of the Physical Education Department. With advance notice, priority registration may be offered on a case-by-case basis to students who need to enroll in a particular class for disability-related reasons. Students may also want to consult with a private clinician and/or a clinician from the Student Health Service. Students who have registered with CARDS are encouraged to self-identify to their Physical Education instructors.
Extracurricular Opportunities: Recreational use of the LeFrak Center for Well-being Fitness Center and Fitbear group fitness program is encouraged separately from the Physical Education requirement. All Barnard students, faculty, and staff are eligible to use these programs. No academic credit is offered for these programs.
PHED BC1004 Physical Education Courses
Students may choose from a variety of topics that focus on mind/body, muscular strength/endurance, outdoor fitness, and setting health behavior change goals. See topic descriptions for details.
Please consult Vergil for information about current course offerings.
MIND/BODY
Beginning Yoga: An introduction to Hatha Yoga focusing on the development of the physical body to increase flexibility and strength. Breathing practices and meditation techniques that relax and revitalize the mind and body are included.
Pilates Mat: A combination of Pilates-based mat exercises class to strengthen core and sculpting techniques for the entire body using various equipment. Emphasis on proper breathing and alignment.
Tai Chi: This series of classes will provide the practice of T'ai Chi Chuan as a moving meditation and health maintenance exercise. This process involves both physical and nonphysical work and introduces T'ai Chi as an exercise of consciousness. There will also be recommended reading selections in the history and philosophical underpinnings of T'ai Chi. No pre-requisite for this course. Each class will consist of physical practice of the T'ai Chi sequence of movements / postures, also discussion including history of and principles of T'ai Chi.
Yoga and Ayurveda: Ayurveda derives from ancient India and means the "science of life." Ayurveda consists of diet and lifestyle practices to support harmony. Yoga and Ayurveda is a course that combines the traditional yoga practices (i.e. postures, breathing, and meditation) with basic teachings from the Ayurvedic tradition.
Yoga/Meditation: This course includes an introduction to Hatha Yoga, which focuses on the development of the physical body through asanas, or poses, and classic meditation and relaxation techniques. Regular meditation practice at home is required.
MUSCULAR STRENGTH/ENDURANCE
Body Sculpting: This course focuses on strength and endurance exercises using hand weights, resistance bands, body bars, gliding discs and balls. Muscle toning exercises are discussed and practiced in detail to develop muscle definition for the upper and lower body. Emphasis is placed on correct body placement. Informative coloring sessions enhance physical learning. Instruction in stretching technique included.
Cardio Circuits: A studio-based course designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and overall health. Through a variety of high-energy workouts, participants will utilize dumbbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises to enhance their cardiovascular training. This course features dynamic routines, including aerobic workouts, interval and circuit training, and strength-infused cardio sessions, all tailored to accommodate varying fitness levels.
Strength Training: Introduction to the principles of strength training and conditioning. Instruction on the use of free weights, resistance machines and cardiovascular equipment for the development of muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility. Program tailored to individual needs with an emphasis on lifetime fitness.
Total Body Fitness: A fitness course to increase total body fitness through cardio and strength training. Course includes proper form and usage on all types of cardio equipment including treadmills, ellipticals, arc trainers, stationary bicycles, and rowers plus a variety of muscular strength exercises. This course is designed for all fitness levels with variations and progressions so that all students can safely move through classes which will have both a cardio and strength component.
SPECIAL TOPICS
Fitness Outside: A fitness course based on outdoor workouts. Includes walking, jogging and basic body weight training for cardiovascular, core, and muscular endurance. Students will visit locations both on and off campus for a variety of fitness activities. This course is designed for all fitness levels. Must be willing to workout in public spaces.
Health Coaching: This course is designed to teach students the process of identifying, setting, and achieving a specific health behavior change goal within the Wheel of Health. The course will consist of short lectures, discussions, and individual health coaching sessions. Action steps towards the health goal will be expected each week outside of class meeting times.
Independent Study: Enrollment in a college level course of instruction not offered by the Barnard or Columbia Physical Education Departments. Department approval required prior to the first day of the Physical Education registration period.
Cross-Listed Courses: