Brown University Degrees Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island, offers a wide array of degree programs designed to challenge and inspire undergraduates. Founded in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Brown has a long history of academic excellence and innovation. This article delves into the various degree options available at Brown, including traditional concentrations, dual degrees, and specialized programs.

Traditional Bachelor's Degrees

Brown University undergraduates have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science (Sc.B.) degree. These degrees cover a multitude of concentrations across various disciplines.

Concentrations

Brown offers a diverse range of concentrations, allowing students to delve deeply into specific areas of study. These concentrations span the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Here are some examples of available concentrations:

Africana Studies: Critically examines the artistic, historical, literary, and theoretical expressions of the peoples and cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora.
American Studies: Seeks to understand American society and cultures as emerging from historical and contemporary processes at work in local, national, and global contexts.
Anthropology: The holistic study of human beings from all times and places.
Astronomy: One of the oldest subjects taught at Brown, focusing on the study of celestial objects and phenomena.
Biology: An in-depth study of the science of life and living matter.
Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations (BEO): A multidisciplinary program grounded in economics, sociology, and engineering.
Chemical Engineering: Emphasizes a molecular engineering approach to problem-solving.
Classics: Focuses on the languages, literature, history, culture, and legacy of Greco-Roman antiquity.
Cognitive Science: A multidisciplinary concentration spanning computer science, neuroscience, and data science.
Computer Engineering: Focuses on the design of computer hardware, software, and network systems.
Contemplative Studies: Investigates the philosophical, psychological, and scientific bases of human contemplative experience.
Critical Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS): An interdisciplinary concentration focused on the social, cultural, artistic, and political aspects of Native American and Indigenous peoples.
Development Studies: An interdisciplinary concentration focused on issues of economic and social development, especially in the Global South.
Early Modern World: Promotes interdisciplinary approaches to historical cultures between the 1300s and the end of the 1800s.
Economics: Helps students understand markets, firms, financial organizations, and public debate about economic policy.
Egyptology and Assyriology: Offers students a choice of two tracks: Assyriology or Egyptology.
Electrical Engineering: Equips students with a solid foundation for careers in electrical engineering and related fields.
Engineering: Provides a foundation for careers in engineering, advancing knowledge and solving human needs.
Engineering and Physics: A joint program sponsored by the School of Engineering and the Department of Physics.
English: Fosters the study of British, American, and Anglophone literature.
Environmental Engineering: Provides students with the tools to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
Environmental Sciences & Studies (ENVS): Prepares students to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Ethnic Studies: Examines the construction of race and ethnicity in social, cultural, historical, political, and economic contexts.
French and Francophone Studies: Focuses on an interdisciplinary understanding of French and Francophone literatures and cultures.
Geophysics and Climate Physics: Applies physics and mathematics to study processes within the Earth and other planets.
German Studies: Exposes students to the language, literature, and culture of German-speaking areas of Central Europe.
Hispanic Studies: Explores the language, literature, and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
History: The study of how societies and cultures change over time.
History of Art and Architecture: Introduces students to the history of art, architecture, and visual culture.
International Relations: Fosters creative thinking about global problems and equips students with analytic tools and cross-cultural understanding.
Italian Studies: Allows students to strengthen their language skills and deepen their knowledge of Italian literature, history, art, and culture.
Judaic Studies: Concentrators study Jews in various social contexts, getting to know their social structures, and what they have created.
Linguistics: The study of language as a uniquely human capacity.
Literary Arts: Provides a home for innovative writers of fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, literary translation, and mixed media.
Materials Engineering: Focuses on the design, creation, and manufacture of materials.
Mathematics: The study of quantity, structure, space, and change.
Math-Computer Science: An interdisciplinary program administered by the mathematics and computer science departments.
Mechanical Engineering (ME): Explores a wide range of systems spanning fluids and solids.
Medieval Studies: Offers a concentration in Medieval Cultures with tracks in Medieval Cultures and Late Antique Cultures.
Middle East Studies (MES): Seeks to build an interdisciplinary understanding of historical and contemporary issues within the Middle East.
Modern Culture and Media (MCM): Explores the ties between media and broader cultural and social formations.
Music: Integrates theory, history, ethnomusicology, technology, composition, and performance.
Physics: The scientific study of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter and energy.
Political Science: Explores questions about the systems and societies that make up our world.
Public Policy: Focuses on the interdisciplinary study of human societies and the rules by which we govern ourselves.
Science, Technology, and Society (STS): Examines the processes of scientific discovery and the establishment of scientific policies.
Slavic Studies: Concerned with the languages, literatures, and civilizations of the Slavic world.
Sociology: Provides a foundation in sociological theory and methods.
South Asian Studies: Explores the diversity and shared histories of South Asia's cultures, religions, languages, and nations.
Statistics: Provides foundations in basic statistical concepts and methodologies.
Urban Studies: Teaches students to analyze the city, urban life, and urbanization through various disciplinary lenses.
Visual Art: Engages in artistic practice across a wide range of media.

Multiple Concentrations

Approximately 20 percent of Brown students complete their baccalaureate degrees with more than one concentration within the standard eight semesters of full-time study. They receive one degree (either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science), and both concentrations are noted on the official transcript. For example, a student's transcript might list "Bachelor of Science: ScB-Environmental Science and AB: Math" or "Bachelor of Arts: AB-Africana Studies and AB: English." If one or both of the concentrations is a bachelor of science program, the degree earned will be a bachelor of science.

Combined Bachelor's Degrees

Brown University also offers an option for students pursuing a concentration in a humanities or social science field and a second concentration in a life or physical science field to graduate with a single, combined Bachelor of Arts-Bachelor of Science (A.B.-Sc.B) degree. This unique program requires at least 38 course credits and 10 semesters of enrollment. It excludes Engineering (physical science), Biological Sciences (life sciences), and Public Health (life sciences).

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Five-Year Program

Students who follow this path organize a five-year program of study in which the work for the single, combined degree proceeds concurrently. Students interested in pursuing this five-year option must declare their intentions before the end of their fifth semester. In rare instances, students who miss the fifth-semester deadline due to qualifying extenuating circumstances may seek approval from the Committee on Academic Standing to join the program late. All cases where exceptions are sought must be resolved before the end of the petitioning studentâs sixth semester. Petitions from seniors will not be approved nor considered by the Committee on Academic Standing.

Approval Process

Students planning to join the combined degree program must seek initial and final approvals from the Combined Degree Dean. Initial approvals are given to students who are very close (within 2-3 courses) to finishing at least one of their combined set of program requirements before the end of their fifth semester. These students can then seek final approval providing they are in their 7th semester and are on track to completing their second concentration. Upon successful review of the academic record, these students will receive a final approval to be combined degree candidates. This student's transcript would list, for example, "Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science: SCB - Computational Biology, AB-History."

Enrollment Reduction

Candidates for the combined degree program may petition the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) for a one-semester reduction of enrollment to be allowed to complete the combined degree program in nine semesters, rather than ten semesters (without a semester of advanced standing). Such exceptions will be rare and considered on a case-by-case basis by CAS only on an irrevocable basis, and when the student is in their 8th or 9th semester of enrollment and has planned accordingly, If approved by CAS, students must meet all combined degree graduation requirements with a one semester reduction in their enrollment. Students granted permission by CAS to graduate in 9 semesters (or the equivalent) of enrollment cannot reverse this request to regain ten semesters of enrollment to complete the program.

Additional Semester

Undergraduates may seek an additional semester, for up to 4 course credits, to supplement required features of their degree programs. Students approved for an optional 9th semester remain in active degree-seeking status, but they are not eligible for university housingâunless vacancies are available, and they are not eligible for Brown institutional financial aid, even if they received financial aid from Brown before their optional 9th semester. Students receiving University financial aid would be regularly enrolled, however, and may be eligible for other kinds of financial aid. Students must be enrolled "at least half-time" to be eligible to apply for federal aid.

Fifth-Year Master's Program

Brownâs 5th-year Masterâs Program allows degree-seeking Brown undergraduates to pursue a masterâs degree in select departments in the year immediately following completion of the undergraduate degree. Eligible students must apply for admission to this program before they complete the baccalaureate degree. Admission must be approved by the department in which the masterâs degree is sought as well as by the Graduate School. Academic departments that participate in this program are listed in this PDF document.

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Specialized Programs

In addition to traditional and combined degrees, Brown offers several specialized programs to cater to specific student interests and needs.

Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program

This program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design, allowing students to pursue studies in both liberal arts and design.

Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME)

The Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is an eight-year continuum that enables students to combine their undergraduate and medical school education at Brown. The PLME is the only combined bachelorâs / M.D.

Resumed Undergraduate Education (RUE)

The Resumed Undergraduate Education (RUE) program is a small, highly competitive program for students who wish to complete their degree after interrupting or delaying their formal education due to family commitments, military service, financial or personal concerns.

Historical Context

Brown University's history is rich and intertwined with the development of the United States. Founded in 1764, it was initially known as Rhode Island College. The establishment of the college was driven by the desire to create a higher education institution within the Baptist colony of Rhode Island. Key figures like James Manning and members of the Brown family played instrumental roles in the college's founding and early development.

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Early Influences

The Philadelphia Baptist Association was interested in establishing a college in Rhode Island, which was founded as a Baptist colony in America, including the mother-church of all American Baptists: the First Baptist Church in America. At the time, the Baptists were unrepresented among the colonial colleges; the Congregationalists had Harvard University and Yale University, the Presbyterians had the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University, and the Episcopalians had the College of William & Mary and King's College, which later became Columbia University. The Philadelphia Association obtained such an acquaintance with our affairs, as to bring them to an apprehension that it was practicable and expedient to erect a college in the Colony of Rhode-Island, under the chief direction of the Baptists; … Mr. James Manning, who took his first degree in New-Jersey college in September, 1762, was esteemed a suitable leader in this important work.

James Manning arrived at Newport in July 1763 and was introduced to Stiles, who agreed to write the charter for the college. Stiles' first draft was read to the General Assembly in August 1763, and rejected by Baptist members who worried that their denomination would be underrepresented in the College Board of Fellows. In September 1764, the inaugural meeting of the corporationâthe college's governing bodyâwas held in Newport's Old Colony House. Governor Stephen Hopkins was chosen chancellor, former and future governor Samuel Ward vice chancellor, John Tillinghast treasurer, and Thomas Eyres secretary. The charter stipulated that the board of trustees should be composed of 22 Baptists, 5 Quakers, 5 Episcopalians, and 4 Congregationalists.

Relocation and Renaming

In 1770, the college moved from Warren to Providence. To establish a campus, John and Moses Brown purchased a four-acre lot on the crest of College Hill on behalf of the school. Following the gift of Nicholas Brown Jr. (Class of 1786), the university was renamed in his honor. The Brown family was involved in various business ventures in Rhode Island, and accrued wealth both directly and indirectly from the transatlantic slave trade. The family was divided on the issue of slavery. John Brown had defended slavery, while Moses and Nicholas Brown Jr.

Revolutionary War Era

During the American Revolutionary War, Brown's University Hall was used to house French and other revolutionary troops led by General George Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau. A number of Brown's founders and alumni played roles in the American Revolution and subsequent founding of the United States.

Campus and Facilities

Brown's main campus is located in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence. The university is surrounded by a federally listed architectural district with a concentration of Colonial-era buildings. The campus comprises 235 buildings and 143 acres (0.58 km2).

Key Locations

University Hall: The college's first purpose-built edifice, possibly modeled on Nassau Hall at the College of New Jersey.
The Front or Quiet Green, the Middle or College Green, and the Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle: The core, historic campus is defined by these three greens.
Van Wickle Gates: Wrought iron gates that stand at the western edge of Brown's campus.
John Hay Library: Home to rare books, special collections, and the university archives.
John Carter Brown Library: Generally regarded as the world's leading collection of primary historical sources relating to the exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology: Brown's teaching museum, located in Manning Hall.
Annmary Brown Memorial: Constructed as a mausoleum and includes works of art from General Rush Hawkins's private collection.
Pembroke Campus: The former campus of the Women's College in Brown University, now integrated into the larger Brown campus.
East Campus: Originally the campus of Bryant University, purchased by Brown in 1969.
Thayer Street: A commercial corridor frequented by students.
Brown Stadium: The home of the school's football team.
Marston Boathouse: The home of Brown's crew teams.
Warren Alpert Medical School: Located in Providence's historic Jewelry District.

Curriculum Innovation

Brown University has a history of curricular innovation. In 1966, the first Group Independent Study Project (GISP) at Brown was formed, leading to proposals for a new curriculum, including interdisciplinary freshman-year courses and an end to letter grades. In 1968, the New Curriculum was voted into existence, which remains in place today.

Ties to Slavery

In 2003, Brown launched a steering committee to research the university's eighteenth-century ties to slavery. The resulting document, "Slavery and Justice," detailed the ways in which the university benefited both directly and indirectly from the transatlantic slave trade and the labor of enslaved people.

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