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 Science, Technology, and Society.
Undergraduate · Brown University
Brown Science, Technology, and Society: a theme, a science track and twelve courses
Brown does not admit applicants to Science, Technology, and Society. They apply to the university and choose a concentration within the Open Curriculum. The Bulletin describes an interdisciplinary concentration of twelve courses with an unusual structure: two required courses, a thematic track such as Health and Medicine or Environment and Society, a science track in the physical sciences, life sciences or mathematics and computer science, and three theory courses.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Brown says about Brown Science, Technology, and Society
Taken from the Brown Bulletin entry for the Science, Technology, and Society 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.
Twelve courses
The Bulletin says the programme of study is developed with the concentration adviser.
A theme and a science track
Students pair a thematic track of three courses with four courses in a scientific area.
Two required courses
An introduction and a senior seminar are required.
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: Science, Technology, and Society concentrationbulletin.brown.edu
- Brown Undergraduate Admission: Standardized Testsadmission.brown.edu
Read on 2 November 2026 on the Brown Bulletin entry for the Science, Technology, and Society 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 STS concentration is
The Bulletin calls the concentration interdisciplinary, examining scientific discovery, policy and systems of belief from historical, philosophical, anthropological and sociological perspectives. Its twelve courses comprise two required courses, a thematic track of at least three courses, a science track of at least four, and three theory courses in the social sciences and humanities, with a minimum of seven at the intermediate to advanced level. Honours requires being in good standing and a majority of A grades.
Is it the right concentration?
STS beside Cognitive Science and Public Health
Brown lists these concentrations separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
STS fits if
you want to study science as a human activity while keeping real study of a scientific area.
Cognitive Science fits if
you want the mind studied across fields. Avandy's Brown Cognitive Science guide covers it.
Public Health fits if
you want health at population level. Avandy's Brown Public Health guide covers it.
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.
Which theme would you build around?
The Bulletin lists themes from History and Philosophy of Science to Environment and Society.
Which science area would you pair with it?
The science track is physical sciences, life sciences or mathematics and computer science.
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 Science, Technology, and Society 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 Science, Technology, and Society?
The pages read describe admission to Brown. Students develop a personalised course of study and choose a concentration in the Open Curriculum.
Is Science, Technology, and Society a science degree?
It is an interdisciplinary concentration that studies science from historical, philosophical, anthropological and sociological perspectives, but it includes a science track of at least four courses.
How many courses does it need?
The Bulletin says twelve courses, with a minimum of seven at the intermediate to advanced level.
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 Science, Technology, and Society
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which thematic track appeals, which science area they would pair with it 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.