Exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) at Brown
As a national science research university with an international reputation, Brown provides a unique curricular structure that encourages our undergraduate scholars to explore an ever dynamic world. Our unusually integrated campus environment furthers interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities that provide students with the skills and knowledge to succeed and to drive change in the future.
As a leader in research and innovation, Brown provides invaluable resources that enable faculty and students to leap forward in their fields. Our Science Center is a state-of-the-art facility that supports learning through curricular innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Research is also a vital part of the undergraduate experience: in the last four years, nearly 2,000 students have taken part in the Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award (UTRA) program. In addition, Brown consistently ranks in the top five Fulbright Fellowship-producing research institutions nationally.
Brown students are life-long learners and leaders; we invite you to join us on the exciting educational journey you will take as a member of the Brown community, and we encourage you to explore Brown's academic programs through the links provided at right. For the most part you will find our undergraduate STEM concentrations supported by departments, programs, centers loosely affiliated as Physical Sciences, or Life & Medical Sciences. But, do not be surprised if the science topic that catches your eye has multiple connections in Humanities or Social Sciences; interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary work has been fundamental to Brown academic culture for decades.
For more news on Brown discoveries, please visit this page.
To view the STEM E-newsletter archive, please click here.
Featured Concentration: Physics
Why Physics at Brown?
The Brown Physics Department offers an exciting undergraduate program where you will find stimulating courses, accessible faculty, enthusiastic peers and great support. The department has 27 faculty members, about 100 graduate students, 70-75 undergraduate concentrators, and a significant number of distinguished academic visitors each year. Among the many prizes won by our internationally renowned faculty is the Nobel Prize, awarded to Professor Leon Cooper for the discovery of the mechanism of superconductivity. For news on exciting developments and discoveries in physics involving our faculty, visit our news page.
Our faculty members are eager to work with undergraduates and there are many opportunities for independent study and research participation. Students are encouraged to become involved in research, working closely with faculty and their graduate students. This research can result in student presentations at conferences and co-authorship of published papers. Check out some recent undergraduate research projects and recent senior thesis projects on our website.
Degree Options
There are two baccalaureate degrees given in Physics: the Bachelor of Science (ScB) and the Bachelor of Arts (AB). Students may opt to specialize with Astrophysics, Biological Physics, or Mathematical Physics tracks. There are also several degree programs offered in conjunction with, or administered by, other departments: Chemical Physics, Engineering-Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Biophysics, Geology-Physics/Mathematics.
For more specific information on degrees and requirements, see Physics Concentrations and Interdepartmental Concentrations.
Did You Know?
- A degree in physics allows a student to develop very specific knowledge (an understanding of the key laws of physics and how to apply them in various settings; an appreciation for the complementary roles that experiment and theory play in the intellectual development of the field) while strengthening more general skills (a deep capacity for critical quantitative reasoning; the ability to formulate a scientific question or problem; the ability to communicate effectively).
- Physics provides an excellent basis for many areas of study, including applied mathematics, astronomy, biophysics, computer science, engineering, neuroscience and materials science.
- About two thirds of our seniors go on to graduate study in physics or related fields. Our recent graduates are pursuing studies at leading graduate schools such as Berkeley, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Princeton and Stanford.
- At the same time, a degree in physics will prepare you for work in a myriad of fields, such as business and finance, industrial research, law and medicine. These career opportunities are explored and celebrated at our annual alumni career event, Brown Degree Day.
We hope that you will explore our website to learn more about this community of thinkers and learners who are excited about physics. You might just find that this is the right place for you!
Please watch a video below or at the top right of the page on a program developed by Brown University computer scientists that can identify sketches almost as accurately as a human; finally, a computer program with which you can play Pictionary!