Biology
Source: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/biology-ab-scb Parent: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
The Biology concentration invites students to study, in depth and in breadth, the science of life and living matter.
Degree Type
A.B., Sc.B.
department
Biology Undergraduate Education
CIP Code
26.0101ℹ
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
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Biology
The Biology concentration invites students to study, in depth and in breadth, the science of life and living matter.
Whether pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or Science (Sc.B.) in biology, students can expect to learn broadly in the discipline through a selection of courses in three areas: cell and molecular biology, structure and function, and organismal biology. In addition, students pursuing the Sc.B. complete a thematic track through which they gain an in-depth understanding of a particular subfield such as Immunopathology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Physiology/Biotechnology, Cell and Molecular Biology or Physical Sciences. The concentration also emphasizes practical skills and experimental design. Concentrators are required to take at least 3 courses with a laboratory or fieldwork component. Within all of these requirements, students have a high degree of flexibility and choice. Broad research opportunities are also available across several departments within the basic sciences as well.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Acquire foundational knowledge of the breadth of biology related to cellular and molecular biology, organismal structure and function, and organismal diversity.
- Develop skills in the integration of biology, mathematics, and chemistry that are essential to understanding fundamental life processes. For Sc.B. students, this also includes physics.
- Attain in-depth knowledge in sub-disciplines of interest within Biology through upper-level courses. For Sc.B. students, this includes attaining in-depth knowledge of one biological subfield by specifying and completing a track.
- Demonstrate knowledge and gain experience in the basic methods and instrumentation used to answer biological questions.
- Develop skills to investigate and answer biological questions using the scientific method, including analyzing and interpreting scientific data, and effectively communicating results.
- Engage in a culminating senior experience through a capstone project, independent study project, and/or thesis.
- Develop a sense of identity as a valued member of the STEM community.
Tracks
- Biomedical Informatics
- Cell and Molecular Biology - Sc.B. only
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - Sc.B. only
- Immunobiology - Sc.B. only
- Neurobiology - Sc.B. only
- Physical Sciences - Sc.B. only
- Physiology/Biotechnology - Sc.B. only
Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)
Student Leaders: Abieyuwa Otote, Isaac Jin, Ella Olea, Dakota Clay, Julien Song
Graduating Class
| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 116 | 35 |
| 2022 | 111 | 47 |
| 2023 | 110 | 45 |
| 2024 | 111 | 36 |
| 2025 | 122 | 41 |
Biology alumni often enter health careers including medicine, psychology, and public health, as well as careers in academia and in industry.
What are Biology 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.