Mission Statements
"The mission of Brown University is to serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry, and by educating and preparing students to discharge the offices of life with usefulness and reputation. We do this through a partnership of students and teachers in a unified community known as a university-college.”
In support of the University’s overall mission, the three-fold mission statement of the Division of Engineering is:
(i) to equip students with a solid foundation for productive careers;
(ii) to advance the knowledge base for future technologies;
(iii) to merge teaching, scholarship, and practice in the pursuit of solutions to human needs.
Undergraduate Programs Guide
Summary of Undergraduate Degree Programs
The Nuts and Bolts of the Brown Engineering Curriculum
Currently the Division of Engineering offers concentrations in biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, materials and mechanical engineering. All of these programs are described in detail in this book and lead to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Sc.B.). We also have other degree programs including a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Engineering, a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Engineering, and combined programs with Engineering and Physics. The Division also offers an innovative and unique program in Entrepreneurship and Technology Management as part of the new University concentration in Commerce, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship (COE).
During their first two years at Brown, each Engineering student is assigned an Engineering Advisor to help them design their academic program. For the last two years, each student has a Concentration Advisor who handles all the concentrators in a particular program. Any questions regarding these programs can be addressed to Professor Gregory Crawford, Dean of Engineering, Professor Iris Bahar, Director of Engineering Undergraduate Programs, or Professor J. D. Daniels, Chairman of the Engineering Concentration Committee.
Brown is a major research university with a fundamental commitment to quality undergraduate education. Brown’s educational philosophy emphasizes breadth in the Liberal Arts, as well as strong preparation within an area of concentration. The six major aspects of the Brown Engineering educational philosophy are consistent with this overall concept.
The Core Curriculum
Brown University engineers are exceptionally well prepared to practice engineering in an age of rapidly changing technology. Two-thirds of our four-year Sc.B. Engineering program consists of a core of basic mathematics, physical sciences and engineering sciences common to all branches of engineering, including a thorough grounding in programming and technical problem solving. This core provides our graduates with the basis of theory, design, and analysis that will enable them to adapt to whatever may come along during their careers. At the same time, the core courses assist students in making informed choices in determining their areas of specialization, at the end of their sophomore year. To this end, first-year students are given an introduction to engineering featuring case studies from different disciplines in engineering as well as guest speakers from industry. This aspect of the program is quite unique from that at many other schools where students are expected to select a specific branch of engineering much earlier in her or his academic program.
Focus on Fundamentals
Brown Engineering stresses the basic scientific principles that underlie present and future engineering practice. Emphasis is placed on mathematics, basic physical principles and engineering fundamentals. While the focus is on applied science rather than technical training, most Brown undergraduates also gain valuable technical experience through independent study and close relationships with research faculty.
Faculty Excellence
The Brown Engineering faculty is renowned worldwide for its expertise in research and the application of technology. All lecture courses are taught by professors who, in addition to being leading researchers in their respective fields, consider undergraduate teaching of utmost importance. Professors encourage free and open discussion in and out of the classroom.
Additional Help for Undergraduates
In recognition of the importance of personal attention at the peer level, undergraduate students play a role in advising new students and being role models. Mentoring for all core courses in engineering is available from graduate students and through a tutorial program staffed by undergraduates from the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi.
Engineering Independent Study Projects
Students in the upper level program are heavily involved with projects in engineering design and application, both computationally and in the laboratory. At first, each student is carefully guided in the application of what he or she has learned, but eventually each will do one or more projects that require independent judgment and provide a capstone experience. In the Independent Study Program, qualified seniors may undertake a significant research project that may result in an Honors thesis. These students perform substantive work and receive practical, hands-on engineering experience.
Liberal Arts Emphasis
As part of a pluralistic university, Engineering students take many classes outside of the Division of Engineering. One of the major strengths of this program is the accessibility of a wide variety of courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students can select interesting courses in all areas of human endeavor ranging from the Classics to Urban Studies, from Economics to Theater Arts, from Africana Studies to Philosophy. The freedom of Brown’s curriculum encourages experimentation and adventure in learning. Our students enjoy interaction with peers from all disciplines and backgrounds and participate in the activities of the large and diverse life of an Ivy League University.
