brown University course catalogue , or University Bulletin, is a comprehensive guide to the academic offerings, policies, and resources available to students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Known for its open curriculum, Brown provides students with flexibility in shaping their education and a wide range of options for concentrated study across various disciplines. This article delves into the catalog’s structure, key academic areas, and how students can leverage it to navigate their educational experience.
Overview of the Brown University Bulletin
The brown university course catalogue Bulletin is divided into sections that cover undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Each section provides detailed descriptions of departments, courses, concentrations (majors), interdisciplinary programs, and certificate programs, along with general university policies, financial information, and academic resources. This centralized catalog also includes the academic calendar, which outlines important dates for the semester system used at brown university course catalogue.
The Open Curriculum
A hallmark of Brown’s educational philosophy is the open curriculum, which encourages students to take ownership of their education by allowing them to choose courses that genuinely interest them. Unlike most universities, Brown does not require students to follow a core curriculum, which promotes exploration and academic independence. This approach enables students to work closely with advisors to build individualized study paths aligned with their intellectual and career goals【8†source】.
Undergraduate Programs and Concentrations [brown university course catalogue]
Brown offers over 80 concentrations for undergraduate students, including popular fields like Biology, Computer Science, Economics, and Public Health, as well as unique programs like Egyptology and Modern Culture and Media. Each concentration page in the catalog outlines required courses, electives, and research opportunities, providing students with a clear map of what to expect. Some concentrations also offer interdisciplinary options, allowing students to blend disciplines to suit their interests, like combining environmental studies with international relations.
The catalog’s section on undergraduate programs also includes information about capstone projects, honors programs, and pathways for students interested in pursuing independent research. Students can view program-specific courses, prerequisites, and potential career applications brown university course catalogue.
Graduate and Professional Programs
The Graduate School at Brown offers numerous master’s and Ph.D. programs across a wide spectrum of disciplines, including engineering, life sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Brown’s Division of Biology and Medicine, for example, provides graduate students with hands-on research opportunities and access to state-of-the-art labs. The university’s School of Public Health is known for its interdisciplinary approach to addressing global health issues, blending social, environmental, and medical sciences.brown university course catalogue.
Professional studies programs, including the Warren Alpert Medical School, emphasize experiential learning, offering practical training in medical and healthcare fields. Many programs encourage collaboration across disciplines, enhancing Brown’s reputation for fostering a multidisciplinary learning environment.brown university course catalogue.
The Division of Biology and Medicine
This division is a prominent component of Brown’s offerings, particularly for students pursuing careers in the medical and life sciences. It encompasses the Warren Alpert Medical School, several graduate programs, and undergraduate biology tracks. Courses within this division cover a variety of specialties, from neuroscience to biochemistry, providing both foundational knowledge and advanced study options. The medical school also offers unique programs, including the Primary Care-Population Medicine (PC-PM) track, which combines a medical degree with a Master of Science in Population Medicine brown university course catalogue.
School of Engineering
Brown’s School of Engineering emphasizes cross-disciplinary education, allowing students to engage in fields like biomedical, chemical, electrical, and computer engineering. The engineering curriculum is designed to be flexible, enabling students to tailor their studies according to their interests. Programs here focus on practical problem-solving skills and hands-on projects that prepare students for careers in technology, research, and entrepreneurship brown university course catalogue .
The School of Public Health [brown university course catalogue]
With a commitment to addressing global health challenges, the School of Public Health offers a range of courses and research opportunities that span epidemiology, behavioral science, health policy, and more. Graduate students in public health can collaborate with experts in fields like data science and health economics, working on projects that aim to tackle pressing public health issues both locally and globallybrown university course catalogue.
Independent Study and Research Opportunities [brown university course catalogue]
Brown encourages students to engage in independent study projects, an option that allows them to earn academic credit through self-directed research under faculty supervision. Many students use this opportunity to explore topics outside their declared concentrations or to delve deeper into specific areas of interest. Independent study courses may include literature reviews, empirical research, or creative projects, all contributing to the development of critical thinking and research skills.
Students also have access to Brown’s extensive library system and research institutes, such as the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and the Carney Institute for Brain Science, which support interdisciplinary study and innovation.
Course Registration and Academic Support
The catalog provides detailed instructions on how to register for courses, with timelines aligned to the academic calendar. Brown employs a system called “Courses@Brown” for course selection and scheduling, allowing students to view current course offerings, prerequisites, and class times. Academic advising is a central support feature, especially given the open curriculum, and students work closely with advisors to ensure they meet all graduation requirements while pursuing their academic passions
Summer [brown university course catalogue]
| March 25, 2024 | Mon. | Registration opens for Summer 2024 for Online – MPH students at 9:00 a.m. EDT. |
| April 1 – April 11, 2024 | Mon. – Thurs. | Registration for Summer courses for continuing Brown undergraduates opens at 9:00 a.m.EDT on Monday April 1 and continues through Thursday April 11 at 5:00 p.m. EDT |
| April 16 – April 23, 2024 | Tues. – Tues. | Registration period for fall courses for Brown undergraduates. Summer registration closed during this period. |
| April 24 – June 20, 2024 | Wed. – Thurs. | Registration period for Summer courses for Brown undergraduates re-opens at 9:00 a.m.EDT and remains open until Thursday June 20 at 5:00 p.m. EDT |
| June 16, 2024 | Sun. | Residence halls open. |
| June 17, 2024 | Mon. | Summer Session classes begin. |
| June 19, 2024 | Wed. | Juneteenth Holiday. No University exercises. |
| June 20, 2024 | Thurs. | Last day to change courses (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). (All students MUST be in their registered courses by Thursday, June 20.) |
| June 24, 2024 | Mon. | Last day to change grade options (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline) |
| July 4, 2024 | Thurs. | Independence Day holiday. No University exercises. |
| July 26, 2024 | Fri. | Classes end. |
| July 27 – Jul 30, 2024 | Sat. – Tues. | Reading period. |
| July 30, 2024 | Tues. | Last day to drop a course (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). Last day to initiate a Course Performance Report via ASK. |
| Jul 31 – Aug 2, 2024 | Wed. – Fri. | Final examination period. |
| August 2, 2024 | Fri. | Summer Session ends. |
| August 3, 2024 | Sat. | Residence halls close. |
| Fall 2024 [brown university course catalogue] | ||
|---|---|---|
| July 10, 2024 | Wed. | Registration opens for Semester I 2024-25 for Online – MPH students at 9:00 a.m. EDT. |
| Aug. 1, 2024 | Thurs. | Last day for payment of charges. |
| Aug. 27, 2024 | Tues | Beginning of Graduate School All-Student Orientation. |
| Aug. 29, 2024 | Thurs. | Beginning of College Orientation. |
| Aug. 30 – Sept 2, 2024 | Fri. – Mon. | Registration of new undergraduate and all graduate students students (except Online – MPH) for the fall semester begins at 4:00 pm EDT Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT Monday Sept 2. (Maximum of 4 credit hours allowed for undergraduates). |
| Sept. 3, 2024 | Tues. | Registration re-opens at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Sept 3 for all students for the fall semester. (Up to a maximum of 5 credit hours allowed). |
| Sept. 3, 2024 | Tues. | Opening Convocation at 4:00 p.m. EDT |
| Sept. 4, 2024 | Wed. | Classes of the first semester begin. |
| Sept. 4, 2024 | Wed. | First day of RISD Fall Session. |
| Sept. 6, 2024 | Fri. | Theses/Dissertations of candidates for Masters and Ph.D. degrees in October due. |
| Sept. 11, 2024 | Wed. | Last day to register for a Fall RISD course without a fee or change a grade option for a Fall RISD course – (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). |
| Sept. 17, 2024 | Tues. | Last day to add a course without a fee. (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline) Banner Web will be taken down for approximately one hour. Once relaunched, all course adds require Instructor override and will be charged a late fee of $15 per course. |
| Oct. 1, 2024 | Tues. | Deadline for undergraduates on personal leave (including employment and military leave) or on Full-time Study Away status to request return to studies at Brown for Spring. |
| Oct. 1, 2024 | Tues. | Last day to add a course (includes late fee), change from audit to credit, or change a grade option declaration (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). |
| Oct. 8, 2024 | Tues. | Last day to receive any partial tuition refund. |
| Oct. 14, 2024 | Mon. | Indigenous Peoples’ Day. No University exercises. |
| Oct. 18, 2024 | Fri. | Last day to change from credit to audit in a course (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). |
| Oct. 19, 2024 | Sat. | Mid-semester |
| Oct. 22, 2024 | Tues. | Date by which sophomores entering their 5th semester must file their concentration declaration forms via ASK to avoid having a No Concentration hold placed against their Banner registration (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). |
| Oct. 28, 2024 | Mon. | Advising period for spring pre-registration begins. Students in their first through third semesters will need to procure their advising PIN from their advisor in order to register. |
| Nov. 5, 2024 | Tues. | United States Election Day. No University exercises. |
| Nov. 12, 2024 | Tues. | Registration opens for Spring 2025 for UG students semester level 07 and above and continuing graduate students (residential programs, Cybersecurity, and PRIME) at noon EST. Registration remains open until Tues Nov 19, 5:00 pm EST (Max 4 credits for UG) |
| Nov. 13, 2024 | Wed. | Registration opens for Spring 2025 for undergraduate students semester levels 05-06 at noon EST. (Students are unable to register for 5th semester unless approved concentration is filed). Registration remains open until Tuesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. EST. (Maximum of 4 credit hours allowed for undergraduates). |
| Nov. 14 , 2024 | Thurs. | Students on serious warning who wish to drop a course after this date must meet with an academic dean for advising and to obtain a drop code. |
| Nov. 14, 2024 | Thurs. | Registration opens for Spring 2025 for undergraduate students semester levels 03-04 at noon EST. Registration remains open until Tuesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. EST. (Maximum of 4 credit hours allowed for undergraduates). |
| Nov.15, 2024 | Fri. | Deadline for submission of proposals for College Curriculum Council-approved undergraduate group study projects (GISPs), independent study projects, and internships for credit) for Semester II. |
| Nov.15, 2024 | Fri. | Registration opens for Spring 2025 for undergraduate students semester levels 01-02 at noon EST. Registration remains open until Tuesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. EST. (Maximum of 4 credit hours allowed for undergraduates). |
| Nov. 16 – 19, 2024 | Sat. – Tues. | Registration for Spring 2025 continues until Tuesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. EST. |
| Nov. 27 – Dec. 01, 2024 | Wed. – Sun. | Thanksgiving recess beginning Wednesday at noon EST. |
| Nov. 27, 2024 | Wed. | Registration opens for Spring 2025 for Online and Professional Master’s programs (except Cybersecurity and PRIME) students at 9:00 a.m. EST. |
| Dec. 1, 2024 | Sun. | Deadline for undergraduates to request a personal leave (including employment and military leave) or to request Full-time Study Away status for Spring. Any Full-time Study Away approved by the Study Away Review Committee for which the Registrar does not receive enrollment verification will not be honored. |
| Dec. 2, 2024 | Mon. | Classes resume. |
| Dec. 2 , 2024 | Mon | Last day of Fall RISD classes. |
| Dec. 7 , 2024 | Sat. | Midyear Completion Celebration at 4:00 p.m. in Salomon De Ciccio Family Auditorium. Reception to follow in Sayles Hall. |
| Dec. 8 , 2024 | Sun. | Beginning of Reading Period (optional and at the discretion of the instructor.) |
| Dec. 12 , 2024 | Thurs. | Classes end for courses not observing the Reading Period. Last day to drop a course (5:00 p.m. EST deadline) or to request an incomplete from an instructor. |
| Dec. 12 , 2024 | Thurs. | Last day to initiate a Course Performance Report via ASK. |
| Dec. 12 , 2024 | Thurs. | UG CONCENTRATIONS:Last day for students to declare second or third concentrations in ASK for students in their penultimate semester (typically the 7th semester) who are declaring a second/third concentration (5:00 p.m. EST deadline). |
| Dec. 12 , 2024 | Thurs. | UG CERTIFICATES: Last day for students in their ante-penultimate (typically 6th) semester to declare an undergraduate certificate in ASK. |
| Dec. 13 , 2024 | Fri. | Last day for approved 7th (or penultimate) semester undergraduates in eligible concentrations to submit writing completed in the concentration in ASK to complete part II of the writing requirement. Concentration advisors must approve submitted writing in ASK by the last day of the semester. |
| Dec. 13 – 21, 2024 | Fri. – Sat. | Final Examination Period (inclusive of Sunday December 15) |
| Winter 2025 [brown university course catalogue] | ||
| Nov. 20 – Dec. 18, 2024 | Weds. – Weds. | Registration for Wintersession courses (begins at 9:00 a.m. EST). |
| Dec. 18, 2024 | Wed. | Last day to register for a Wintersession course (5:00 p.m. EST deadline). |
| Dec. 18, 2024 | Wed. | Wintersession tuition due. |
| Dec. 23, 2024 | Mon. | Wintersession courses begin. |
| Jan. 7, 2025 | Tues. | Last day to change a grade option declaration. |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | Tues. | Last day to drop a course or request an incomplete from an instructor. Last day to initiate a Course Performance Report via ASK. |
| Jan. 20, 2025 | Mon. | Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. No University exercises. |
| Jan. 21, 2025 | Tues. | Final examinations. Wintersession ends. |
| Spring 2025 [brown university course catalogue] | ||
| Jan. 1, 2025 | Wed. | Last day for payment of charges. |
| Jan. 3, 2025 | Fri. | First day of RISD Winter Session. |
| Jan. 10, 2025 | Fri. | Theses/Dissertations of candidates for Masters and Ph.D. degrees in February due. |
| Jan. 10, 2025 | Fri. | Last day to register for a Winter RISD course without a fee or change a grade option for a Winter RISD course (5:00 p.m. EST deadline). |
| Jan. 17 – Jan 20, 2025 | Fri. – Mon. | Registration of new undergraduate and all graduate students students (except Online – MPH) for the spring semester begins at 1:00 pm EST Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST Monday Jan 20. (Maximum of 4 credit hours allowed for undergraduates). |
| Jan. 20, 2025 | Mon. | Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. No University exercises. |
| Jan. 21, 2025 | Tues. | Registration re-opens at 9:00 a.m. EST on Jan 21 for all students for the spring semester. (Up to a maximum of 5 credit hours allowed). |
| Jan. 22, 2025 | Wed. | Classes of the second semester begin. |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | Tues. | Last day to add a course without a fee. (5:00 p.m. EST deadline) Banner web will be taken down for approximately one hour. Once relaunched, all course adds require Instructor override and will be charged a late fee of $15 per course. |
| Feb. 6, 2025 | Thurs. | Last day of Winter RISD classes. |
| Feb. 13, 2025 | Thurs. | First day of RISD Spring Session. |
| Feb. 15 – 18, 2025 | Sat. – Tues. | Long weekend. No University exercises. |
| Feb. 19, 2025 | Wed. | Classes resume. Last day to add a course (includes late fee), change from audit to credit, or change a grade option declaration (5:00 p.m. EST deadline). |
| Feb. 20, 2025 | Thurs. | Last day to register for a Spring RISD course without a fee or change a grade option for a Spring RISD course (5:00 p.m. EST deadline). |
| March 7, 2025 | Fri. | Last day to change from credit to audit in a course (5:00 EST p.m. deadline). |
| March 8, 2025 | Sat. | Mid-semester. |
| March 17, 2025 | Mon. | Date by which sophomores entering their 5th semester must file their concentration declaration forms via ASK to avoid having a No Concentration hold placed against their Banner registration. (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). |
| Mar. 22 – 30, 2025 | Sat. – Sun. | Spring Recess. |
| March 31, 2025 | Mon. | Advising period for fall pre-registration begins. Students in their first through third semesters will need to procure their advising PIN from their advisor in order to register. |
| March 31, 2025 | Mon. | Classes resume. |
| April 1, 2025 | Tues. | Deadline for undergraduates on personal leave (including employment and military leave) or on Full-time Study Away status to request return to studies at Brown for Fall. |
| Apr. 8, 2025 | Tues. | Students on serious warning who wish to drop a course after this date must meet with an academic dean for advising and to obtain a drop code. |
| April 11, 2025 | Fri. | Deadline for submission of proposals for College Curriculum Council-approved undergraduate group study projects (GISPs), independent study projects, and internships for credit) for Semester I. |
| April 15, 2025 | Tues. | Registration opens for Fall 2025 for undergraduates semester level 07 and above and all continuing graduate students (except Online – MPH) at noon EDT and remains open until Tue April 22, 5:00 p.m. EDT. (Max of 4 credits allowed for undergraduates) |
| April 16, 2025 | Wed. | Registration opens for Fall 2025 for undergraduates semester levels 05-06 at noon EDT (approved concentration must be filed to register for 5th semester) and remains open until Tuesday April 22, 5:00 pm EDT (Max of 4 credits allowed for undergraduates). |
| April 17, 2025 | Thurs. | Registration opens for Fall 2025 for continuing undergraduate students semester levels 04 and below at noon EDT. Registration remains open until Tuesday, April 22, 5:00 p.m. EDT. (Maximum of 4 credit hours allowed for undergraduates). |
| Apr. 18 – Apr. 22 2025 | Fri. – Tues. | Registration for Fall 2025 continues until Tuesday, April 22 5:00 p.m. EDT. |
| April 25, 2025 | Fri. | Reading Period begins and will end on May 6 (optional and at the discretion of the instructor). |
| May 1, 2025 | Thurs. | Theses of candidates for Masters and Ph.D. degrees in May due. |
| May 1, 2025 | Thurs. | Deadline for undergraduates to request a personal leave (including employment and military leave) or to request Full-time Study Away status for Fall. Any Full-time Study Away approved by the Study Away Review Committee for which the Registrar does not receive enrollment verification will not be honored. |
| May 6, 2025 | Tues. | Last day to initiate a Course Performance Report via ASK. |
| May 6, 2025 | Tues. | Classes end for courses not observing the Reading Period. Last day to drop a course (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline) or to request an incomplete from an instructor. |
| May 6, 2025 | Tues. | Reading Period ends. |
| May 6, 2025 | Tues. | UG CONCENTRATIONS: Last day for students to declare second or third concentrations in ASK for students in their penultimate semester (typically the 7th semester) who are declaring a second/third concentration (5:00 p.m. EDT deadline). |
| May 6, 2025 | Tues. | UG CERTIFICATES: Last day for students in their ante-penultimate (typically 6th) semester to declare an undergraduate certificate in ASK. |
| May 7 – May 16, 2025 | Wed. – Fri. | Final Examination Period. (No exams on Sunday May 11). |
| May 7, 2025 | Wed. | Last day for approved 7th (or penultimate) semester undergraduates in eligible concentrations to submit writing completed in the concentration in ASK to complete part II of the writing requirement. Concentration advisors must approve submitted writing in ASK by the last day of the semester. |
| May 14, 2025 | Wed. | Last day of Spring RISD classes. |
| May 25, 2025 | Sun. | Commencement. |
Conclusion
Brown University’s 2024-2025 course catalog reflects its commitment to academic freedom, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation. By navigating the catalog’s comprehensive offerings, students can design an education that aligns with their intellectual curiosity and professional aspirations. With options for independent study, diverse concentrations, and graduate programs, Brown empowers students to explore and excel across academic fields.
For a closer look at specific programs or to browse courses, visit the Brown University Bulletin[brown university course catalogue]
