Citizen Science will be offered during both the fall and spring semesters. One of the Five Pillars of a Bard undergraduate education, Citizen Science encourages first-year students to develop their personal science literacy through hands-on coursework and projects. Satisfactory completion of this non-credit-bearing program is a requirement for graduation from the college. First-year students will be placed in either a fall or spring section in addition to their regular coursework: the program will meet for 12 weeks each term.
Questions and Answers about Citizen Science 2025-26
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How will I know whether I’ll take Citizen Science in the fall or the spring?
How will I know whether I’ll take Citizen Science in the fall or the spring?
If you are a first-year student, you will be assigned to take Citizen Science in the fall or spring semester based on your section of L&T. -
What if I entered as a first-year student prior to fall 2024 but have yet to complete the requirement?
What if I entered as a first-year student prior to fall 2024 but have yet to complete the requirement?
Students that entered the college as a first year prior to fall 2024 and have yet to satisfactorily to complete Citizen Science will be assigned to take Citizen Science as their schedule permits. -
When and how will I register for Citizen Science?
When and how will I register for Citizen Science?
Students will register for their Citizen Science classes when regsitering for other classes. -
What is the weekly class time for the course?
What is the weekly class time for the course?
Citizen Science is a 12-week program, with each week having two sessions of 80-minutes each. -
Can I change my Citizen Science section?
Can I change my Citizen Science section?
No. There is no add/drop within Citizen Science. -
What is “Core”?
Similar to L&T and FYSEM, Citizen Science faculty will teach from a common curriculum. This curriculum was written by a committee of Bard full-time faculty and has been designed specifically for Bard students to integrate with their Bard experience in Annandale. We call this the Core. -
What is “Lab Strand”?
In addition to the Core, Citizen Science faculty will dedicate eight class sessions to focus on the arc of science through a particular lens that we call the lab strands. For 2025-26 there are two types of lab strands, (1) Environmental Water Lab Strand and (2) Science Communication for Public Action Lab Strand. Click on the following button and scroll down for more details on -
How will I be assigned into one of the two types of lab strands?
How will I be assigned into one of the two types of lab strands?
You will choose your lab strand when you register for the course. If that section fills up, every effort will be made to find a class that fits in your schedule from that lab strand. -
What books are required for Citizen Science?
What books are required for Citizen Science?
There are no books to buy. -
What is the attendance policy?
What is the attendance policy?
Attendance and active participation at all Citizen Science classes and speaker events are mandatory for successful completion of the program. Late arrivals or missed classes may result in a grade of unsatisfactory for the program, and/or academic probation, and the student will need to repeat the full program the following semester. Satisfactory completion of Citizen Science is a mandatory requirement for graduation. -
What are the dates for Citizen Science?
What are the dates for Citizen Science?
- Citizen Science is a 12-week program.
- For the Fall 2025 section, Citizen Science classes begin September 1 and end by December 5, 2025.
- For the Spring 2026 section, Citizen Science classes begin January 26 and end by May 1, 2026
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