Delete a Column in SQL Server 2000

I am trying to write SQL code to delete a column in MS SQL Server 2000 via the SQL Query Analyzer.  For example, the following code adds a column to a table:

ALTER TABLE dbo.t_Auto
ADD BIRTH_DATE datetime null

How would I write a query to delete this field.  I thought it should look like this:

ALTER TABLE dbo.t_Auto
DELETE BIRTH_DATE datetime null

But I am getting a syntax error.  Also tried:

ALTER TABLE dbo.t_Auto
DROP BIRTH_DATE datetime null

Same syntax error.  I know this is an easy question.  Help!