Undergraduate Concentrations

// Brown University

Brown University offers over 80 undergraduate concentrations. These areas of study complement your major and can help you develop an additional focus in your field of interest. They also may provide a pathway to earning a second degree at Brown, including an M.A., PhD, or Certificate program in another discipline. You must declare an undergraduate concentration before completing 56 credits; however, you can change it as often as necessary.

Brown University Undergraduate Concentrations

Concentrations are the primary academic focus of your education at Brown. They include majors and minors and are designed to help you gain expertise in a particular area of study.

You can choose from more than 80 concentrations across all disciplines, including business administration; computer science; environmental studies; French literature; neuroscience; political science; Russian literature & culture.

Concentrations in biology and environmental science

The Biology and Environmental Science concentration offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum to prepare students for careers in biology, environmental science, medicine, public health and related fields. The curriculum provides the flexibility to accommodate individual interests while ensuring all students meet core requirements.

Concentration Requirements

Biology Major (BIOL)
Environmental Studies (ESC): You must select one of the following courses: ESC 100 Environment & Society, ESC 104 Introduction To Environment And Development, ESC 106 The Global Environment: Past Present And Future, or ESC 108 Science & Society In The 21St Century.

Concentration in biomedical engineering

The concentration in biomedical engineering is designed for students who want to combine their interest in science with their desire to make a difference in the world. Students will learn how biological systems work and how humans can manipulate them and then apply this knowledge to solve problems in health care.

Biomedical engineers are trained to apply their engineering and biology knowledge to solve healthcare problems. They may work at universities or industries where they design new medical devices or develop new treatments for diseases such as cancer or diabetes.

Concentrations in the humanities and social sciences

The humanities and social sciences are broad fields that can be broken down into smaller concentrations. While you may have a specific area of interest, many other concentrations can be explored at Brown. Consider your interests in the history department or the creative writing program, for example, and what coursework will make sense for you, given your career goals.

Concentration in computer science

The concentration in computer science is designed for students who want to study the theory and practice of computing. Computer science is an interdisciplinary field, drawing on science, mathematics, engineering, and the liberal arts to solve problems in computer hardware, software, systems and theory. Students who choose this concentration will take courses from Brown Departments such as Computer Science; Mathematics; Cognitive Neuroscience; Physics; History & Literature; American Studies; Linguistics & Language Development (LADL). They will also have opportunities to work with faculty members from other departments across campus through independent studies or internships at companies such as Google or Microsoft Research Asia.

Students interested in pursuing a career path in computer science should consider applying for one of our two dual degree programs: Computer Science + Math/Economics or Computer Science + Biology/Neuroscience.

Concentration in economics and international relations

Economics and International Relations: This concentration is an interdisciplinary program that synthesizes the study of political science and economics. Students will gain a broad understanding of political processes, institutions, history, and their economic underpinnings. The curriculum emphasizes international relations issues such as conflict resolution; global economic integration; global business strategy; comparative government policies; international trade agreements; environmental sustainability; human rights protection abroad.

Other concentrations

Brown University offers a wide range of undergraduate concentrations designed to provide students with an opportunity to pursue their interests in depth. The following concentrations are available:

Anthropology and archaeology
Art history and art education (new for 2020)
Biomedical engineering (new for 2020)

The following concentrations are not offered at Brown University:

Chemical engineering, computer science, mathematics/statistics and economics (these programs can be pursued through the School of Engineering);
Economics and some majors within the political science departments, sociology and psychology (these programs can be pursued through the Department of Economics).