Undergraduate Programs

At Brown University, education for the undergraduate has as its purpose the fostering of the intellectual and personal growth of the individual student. The student, ultimately responsible for his or her own development in both of these areas, must be an active participant in framing his or her education. A central aspect of this development is the relationship of the student with professors and fellow students and with the material they approach together. Structures, rules, and regulations of the University should facilitate these relationships and should provide the student with the maximum opportunity to formulate and achieve his or her educational objectives. Accordingly, the following curricular structure reflects these purposes.

Two baccalaureate degrees are awarded--the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. Which of the two degrees is awarded is determined by the nature of the concentration program.

Baccalaureate degrees may be awarded magna cum laude to the upper 20 percent (approximately) of the graduating class. The Registrar will provide an opportunity at the beginning of the senior year for students to indicate that they do not wish to be considered for a degree with distinction and will convey this information to the Committee on Academic Standing. The Committee on Academic Standing will draw up a list of those graduating seniors who are eligible to receive the bachelor's degree magna cum laude.

In 2005-2006 the completion or graduation rate for undergraduate students who entered Brown University in 2000 on a full-time basis was 93.9%.