The AB and ScB Biology concentrations at Brown provide rigorous training, while permitting a high degree of flexibility that invites students to focus their interests in specific areas. Coursework is drawn from contributions of faculty in each of the five basic sciences departments at Brown, and thus comprise a unified cohort of offerings over a wide spectrum.
The programs are built around a basic tenet that students should establish breadth of exposure across the discipline. Thus we have an AREA requirement, which asks that students include at minimum, one course from each of three Area listings that reflect different levels of organization in biological systems (from molecular all the way to organismal levels).
We place a high value on practical skills and understanding of experimental design; therefore we require students take at least three courses with laboratory/fieldwork components. Also, depth and exposure to cutting edge science is key; so students must include several courses at the advanced (above 1000-) level. The foregoing features ensure a thoughtful and disciplined course of study.
The Directed Research/Independent Study courses (BIOL 1950/1960) offer opportunities for in-depth, collaborative research with faculty at the frontiers of their fields. This is a serious, time consuming undertaking, and presumes a foundation of experience with relevant coursework. The research is generally conducted for at least two semesters, and is the path that may lead to Honors upon graduation (with thesis, presentation and academic excellence required, too; more information http://bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres.html).
Students find that the flexibility and depth of either the AB or ScB Biology programs provide excellent preparation for graduate work in the life sciences, as well as for professional study in medicine and other health professions, science teaching, biotechnology, agriculture, wildlife management, business, and law.
Parts A and B are required:
Mathematics: MATH 0090 plus 0100 (or 0170); or equivalent placement.
Chemistry: CHEM 0330; 0350.
Ten courses, which may be chosen from BIOL and/or NEUR offerings for concentrators, must include:
-Area 1 (Cell/Molecular Biology) BIOL 0280, 0470, 0500, 0510, 0530, 1050, 1060, 1100, 1310; NEUR 1020.
-Area 2 (Structure/Function) BIOL 0310, 0320, 0400, 0440, 0800, 1100, 1800, 1880; NEUR 0010.
-Area 3 (Organismal Biology) BIOL 0380, 0390, 0400, 0410, 0420, 0430, 0450, 0460, 0480, 1410, 1430, 1490 (or ENVS 1490), 1800, 1880; ENVS 0490.
(No substitutions per above Area lists. If a course is listed in more than one area, it may be used to fulfill one of those; the other must be fulfilled by a different course.)
Options within the Core may include up to two related sciences which are approved courses for science concentrators, as follows:
Note: Related sciences must be above prerequisite level, and suitable for science concentrators.
BIOL 1950/1960, (Directed Research) may be included, but is not required.
Honors: Honors in biology requires a thesis and oral presentation based on a research project (conducted via BIOL 1950/1960), and quality grades in the concentration.. Guidelines, a manual, and information on faculty research are available in the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Office (Arnold, Room 124) or at the Research Projects Collection, found at bms.brown.edu/bug/ugres page of our website.
Parts A, B, and C are required:
Mathematics: MATH 0090; 0100; or 0170.
Chemistry: CHEM 0330; 0350; 0360.
Physics: PHYS 0030; 0040 (or PHYS 0050/0060); or (ENGN 0030; 0040).
Same as Part B core for the A.B. program with the exception that program must include research proficiency (via BIOL 1950/1960) among the core courses. Note: To fulfill program stipulations, BIOL 1950/1960 carries credit for just one lab course, and one advanced course. ( If substantial research is carried out away from Brown, it must be approved by an appropriate Brown BioMed faculty member and does not carry course credit toward the Core program, but serves only as fulfillment of this requirement.)
Honors: Same requirements as described under AB Biology.
1. For double concentrations, no more than two courses may overlap (i.e. be used to meet requirements of both) programs, prerequisites excepted.
2. No more than two semesters of directed research may be used towards this program.
3. Transfer or study abroad courses may be used within the program, subject to approval of advisor, and Dean Thompson.
Page last updated in February, 2009.