Curricular Resource Center

Curricular Options

Curricular Options

The Open Curriculum supports and encourages Brown students to explore new areas for them and develop their academic interests and passions. With 2,500+ classes, 90 concentrations, and six certificate programs, students can pursue various pathways or design an interdisciplinary class or independent concentration beyond those offered.

If you are looking to pursue an Independent Concentration or an Independent Study option, the Curricular Resource Center (CRC) and our team of coordinators can assist in aligning your unique passions and goals to your academic journey at Brown.

Independent Concentrations

An Independent Concentration (IC) is a concentration a student designs that covers an interdisciplinary area of study not currently offered as a standard concentration at Brown, but that existing course offerings and faculty advising can support. See the bottom of this page for the Proposal form; the link to submit a completed proposal is below.

Independent Studies

An Independent Study (IS) is a credit-bearing course designed by a student or a group of students on any academic topic. The IS program enables students to turn their passions into student-led academic courses.