<p>Hello,</p>
<p>Does anyone here know how prestigious an undergraduate degree in physics is from Brown? Up to now, I’ve been considering top STEM schools, but Brown’s open curriculum really appeals to me. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>The physics department is quite strong at Brown, however, that is more relevant for graduate students. For your purposes, the undergraduate curriculum is pretty much standard and since the department is strong in research there should be a lot of good research opportunities. If your goal is a graduate program in physics, then Brown is a fine choice but you can do just as well at many other programs.</p>
<p>The key is if you can afford it and if the university is a good fit for you. The physics opportunities should not be the first consideration.</p>
<p>Do you think that taking something ridiculous like 20 physics classes and 15 math classes would give me a leg up against undergraduates who were bogged down by graduation requirements at other top universities? </p>
<p>I would say that any B.S. degree in physics that really prepares you for graduate school will have more or less the same number of physics courses or at least you can select your electives to do it. Plus advanced students often take a couple of graduate courses. That kind of program will definitely give you a solid physics background, I don’t know if it is much more than other rigorous programs.</p>
<p>I don’t think so, it is not necessary and not a good way to plan an undergraduate education. But you can be somewhat lopsided and put together a strong resume by taking challenging courses and a couple grad courses, and getting involved in the ample opportunities for research. All the profs teach undergrads ans well as grads and mixed research groups are common. My daughter did some work in that dept but switched out. She did work with a prof who also works at the Fermilab and got a trip there when they presented their research. The head of the Brain Science Institute is Nobel Laureate in physics. I don’t know what most students do/go but one friend of hers went to Berkeley on a fellowship for theoretical physics.</p>
<p>“Do you think that taking something ridiculous like 20 physics classes and 15 math classes would give me a leg up against undergraduates who were bogged down by graduation requirements at other top universities?”</p>
<p>If that’s your intention then choose a physics program in the U.K. - Oxbridge or Imperial College. You can get a BA in physics after 3 years or a (non - MA) masters in 4 years. Penn has a four-year BA-MS program in physics.</p>