A concentration chosen in the Open Curriculum
Brown says undergraduates sample courses before choosing one of 80-plus concentrations, and there is no required core. The pages read describe no separate application to Earth and Planetary Science.
Undergraduate · Brown University
Brown Earth and Planetary Science: twelve courses for the A.B., nineteen for the Sc.B.
Brown does not admit applicants to a concentration. They apply to the university and choose within the Open Curriculum. The Bulletin lists Earth and Planetary Science, and its note on the prior Concentration in Geological Sciences A.B. shows where students looking for Geological Sciences should now look. It offers an A.B. of twelve courses and an Sc.B. of nineteen, built on supporting chemistry, mathematics and computing.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Brown says about Brown Earth and Planetary Science
Taken from the Brown Bulletin entry for the Earth and Planetary Science concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Brown's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Two degrees
The A.B. requires twelve courses and the Sc.B. nineteen.
Successor to Geological Sciences
The Bulletin refers students enrolled in the prior Geological Sciences A.B. to its archive.
Supporting sciences first
The A.B. needs three basic supporting science courses.
The SAT or ACT is required
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score; international applicants should plan to sit A levels or the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Official sources
- Brown University: Open Curriculumbrown.edu
- Brown Bulletin: Earth and Planetary Science concentrationbulletin.brown.edu
- Brown Undergraduate Admission: Standardized Testsadmission.brown.edu
Read on 2 November 2026 on the Brown Bulletin entry for the Earth and Planetary Science concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Brown's department website, the course descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The concentration
What the Bulletin says the Earth and Planetary Science concentration is
The Bulletin describes a highly interdisciplinary concentration using physics, chemistry and biology to understand Earth and planetary processes, from interiors and tectonics to surface processes. The standard A.B. provides a broad introduction to the geosciences and suits students combining interests, for example with economics or English. It needs chemistry, two quantitative-skills courses and a computing, engineering or physics supporting course, then nine concentration courses starting with two of four fundamentals.
Is it the right concentration?
Earth and Planetary Science beside related Brown concentrations
Brown lists these concentrations separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Earth and Planetary Science fits if
you want a broad grounding in how Earth and other planets work.
Earth, Climate and Biology fits if
you want the biological and climate side, which the Bulletin lists as related.
Geophysics and Climate Physics fits if
you want a physics-led route, which the Bulletin lists as related.
Admission and testing
A Brown application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Brown has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants and says there are no minimum scores. International applicants should plan to sit national and international examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores, with actual scores expected before matriculation. The concentration is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Brown's.
A.B. or Sc.B.?
The Bulletin gives twelve and nineteen courses respectively.
Do you want a double concentration?
The Bulletin calls the A.B. attractive for double concentrations.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Brown's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Brown's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Brown has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Brown for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Earth and Planetary Science entry in the Brown Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Brown University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Brown University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Brown Earth and Planetary Science?
The pages read describe admission to Brown. Students develop a personalised course of study and choose a concentration in the Open Curriculum.
Is Geological Sciences still a Brown concentration?
The Bulletin refers students still enrolled in the prior Concentration in Geological Sciences A.B. to its archive and lists Earth and Planetary Science as the current concentration.
How many courses does it need?
The Bulletin says the A.B. requires twelve courses and the Sc.B. nineteen.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Brown says it has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants, with no minimum score.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Brown tells international applicants to plan to sit examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Brown's wording with no entry-year label. Check Brown's pages again when Brown publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Brown Earth and Planetary Science
Tell us about the student's curriculum, whether they want the A.B. or the Sc.B., what supporting science they have and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.