# Physics

**Source**: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/physics-ab-scb
**Parent**: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs

Physics is the scientific study of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter and the interaction of matter and energy.

Degree Type

A.B., Sc.B.

department

[Department of Physics](https://physics.brown.edu/)

[More Information](https://physics.brown.edu/academics/undergraduate)

[All Programs](https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs)

CIP Code

40.0801ℹ

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.

[Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/eligible-cip-codes-for-the-stem-opt-extension)

- [Biomed](https://biomedical.brown.edu/)
- [Brain and Neural Systems](https://www.brown.edu/research/projects/brain-and-neural-systems/)
- [Chemistry](https://chemistry.brown.edu/)
- [Engineering](https://engineering.brown.edu/)
- [Philosophy](https://philosophy.brown.edu)

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# Physics

Physics is the scientific study of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter and the interaction of matter and energy.

Mathematics is used to describe fundamental physical principles, the behavior of matter, and the interactions of matter and energy. As the most fundamental of sciences, physics provides a foundation for other scientific fields as well as the underpinnings of modern technology. The Physics department is unique because of the breadth of its faculty expertise and research, and the relatively intimate size of its classes above the introductory level. Physics concentrators may choose to pursue either the A.B. or the more intensive Sc.B. degree. Course work on either path covers a broad base of topics (for example, electricity and magnetism, classical and quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics). The Sc.B. degree requires additional advanced topics as well as a senior thesis project.

- [List of requirements](https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/phys)
- [Honors website](http://www.brown.edu/academics/physics/undergraduate/honors-senior-theses/honors-senior-theses)

## Student Goals

Students in this concentration will:

- Understand the key laws and applications of physics
- Develop their capacities in critical quantitative reasoning
- Grasp the role of experiment and theory in the intellectual development of physics
- Develop effective communication skills
- Learn to formulate a scientific question in a theoretical or laboratory research project

## Tracks

- Astrophysics - Sc.B. only
- Biological Physics - Sc.B. only
- Mathematical Physics

## Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)

Student Leaders: Aster Winkler, Hanyi Ying, Andrea Yiu, Nina Maor, Violet Dellinger

[Visit DUG website](https://blogs.brown.edu/physicsdug/)

## Graduating Class

| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | 24 | 18 |
| 2022 | 21 | 11 |
| 2023 | 26 | 16 |
| 2024 | 40 | 24 |
| 2025 | 24 | 15 |

Alumni who have completed the concentration in Physics have gone on to work in academia, private industry, and government. They have pursued careers as patent attorneys, engineers, research physicists, medical physicists, marine ecologists, and management consultants. Read their comments on the [Physics department's website](http://www.physics.brown.edu/alumni/comments.asp).

What are Physics concentrators doing…

The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.

- [Ian Dell'Antonio](mailto:Ian_Dell'antonio@brown.edu)

- [Ian Dell'Antonio](mailto:Ian_Dell'antonio@brown.edu)
- [Robert Pelcovits](mailto:Robert_Pelcovits@brown.edu)
- [Anastasia Volovich](mailto:Anastasia_Volovich@brown.edu)