Why Study Physics at Brown?

Brown undergraduate physics concentrators are drawn to uncovering the fundamental laws that govern matter, energy, space and time.  Our undergraduate program balances deep, rigorous science with flexibility, creativity and community. From subatomic particles to the structure of the cosmos, from quantum phenomena to the behavior of complex materials, the department’s scope is vast. This breadth is powered by a prominent and distinguished faculty (including past Nobel Laureates and leaders across condensed matter physics, cosmology, biophysics, and more). 

A Brown physics education is both broad and deep: you’ll learn fundamental principles (mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, quantum physics) while gaining exposure to and participating in cutting-edge research. 

The Brown Physics Advantage: Skills & Opportunities

As a physics concentrator at Brown, you’ll build not only technical knowledge but also core scientific thinking skills.

• Strong quantitative and analytical reasoning, the ability to formulate important scientific questions, and the discipline to explore them rigorously.
• Experience with both theory and experiment. Many of your classes will combine mathematical formalism and hands-on lab work.
• Access to meaningful research opportunities, often working directly with faculty or graduate-student groups. Because class sizes are small above the introductory level (roughly 15–20 new concentrators each year), interaction with professors is frequent and personal.
• Community: A supportive and dynamic physics community. Beyond coursework, undergraduates in physics can join active and engaged groups like the department’s undergraduate club (DUG), Women in Physics (WiP), the National Society of Black Physicists Brown Bears chapter (NSBP), Women in Science and Engineering (Physics WISE), attend seminars and colloquia, and build relationships with peers, faculty and researchers. 

Flexibility, Paths & What Comes Next

Brown’s Physics program is flexible, tailored to different ambitions. Choose between the Sc.B. (more intensive) or A.B. (broad liberal-arts style) path. The Sc.B. includes more advanced coursework and typically a senior thesis; the A.B. offers more room for electives and interdisciplinary exploration. 

You can combine physics with other interests, for example, interdisciplinary tracks like chemical-physics, geophysics or even physics + philosophy. For those drawn more to conceptual questions than to lab work, the physics-and-philosophy track provides a strong grounding in quantum mechanics, relativity and the philosophical implications of physical theory. 

After graduation, physics at Brown offers a wide range of possibilities. Many concentrators go on to graduate study in physics or related fields; others move into engineering, computer science, materials science, data science, medicine, law, finance, consulting, or tech. 

Who Thrives Here

You might love Brown Physics if you:

• Are intellectually curious about the fundamental workings of the universe, from particles to galaxies.
• Enjoy both mathematical rigor and experimental work.
• Want to be challenged, but also supported with small classes, access to top faculty, and real research exposure.
• Value flexibility and want to combine physics with other interests (humanities, engineering, other sciences, etc.).

• Are thinking long-term about grad school or a career that draws on strong problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and scientific literacy.