Brown University

Source: https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/bds/ Parent: https://bulletin.brown.edu/azindex/

Leading to a Bachelor of Arts, the study of decision making at Brown covers descriptive questions like how people, institutions, and nations make judgments and decisions; normative questions about rationality, such as what constitutes the best judgments and decisions; and prescriptive questions, such as how the process of decision making can be improved to make actual decisions closer to optimal ones. By virtue of its broad interdisciplinary nature, the study of decision making covers work found in a variety of more traditional disciplines including psychology, cognitive science, economics, philosophy, computer science, and neuroscience. Professors Steven Sloman and David Levari are the concentration advisors. Upon declaring, concentrators are also encouraged to speak with the appropriate area specialist from among those listed here.

Standard Program for the AB Degree

These are the new requirements approved by CCC effective Fall 2024. For existing concentrators graduating in 2024-25, the prior requirements can be found by selecting the Bulletin archive https://bulletin.brown.edu/archive/2023-24/

Students will be expected to take no more than 6 courses below the 1000-level within the concentration.  Students with multiple concentrations may not apply more than 2 courses from a second concentration to the AB in Behavioral Decision Sciences.  Students are responsible for satisfying all prerequisites for courses they plan to take.

Honors

The Honors Program in BDS gives undergraduates a special opportunity to carry out a research project under the direction of a faculty member that they have developed a relationship with.  The program also provides the opportunity for senior concentrators to receive their undergraduate degree with Honors.  Participation in the program allows students to develop an understanding of research and acquire research skills and background.

Candidates for Honors in BDS must meet all of the requirements of the BDS concentration as described above.  Candidates submit their application for the program at the beginning of semester 7.  We encourage students to seek out a faculty mentor prior to semester 7 and to complete their methods courses and two of their three electives before semester 7. Please refer to the CPSY Honors Program page for detailed information about the specific requirements for the Honors Program in BDS.