Academic Policies

Learn more about Brown’s academic policies, including the Academic Code, class attendance, writing requirement and more.

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Academic Policies

Learn more about Brown’s academic policies, including the Academic Code, class attendance, writing requirement and more.

Academic Code

Norms regarding the quality and originality of academic work are often much more stringent and demanding in college than they are in high school. All Brown students are responsible for understanding and following Brown’s academic code.

Academic Standing

"Academic standing" refers to the number of courses you are expected to complete each semester as you progress toward your degree starting with your first semester of enrollment at Brown. All undergraduates start their studies at Brown in “good” academic standing.

Advanced Standing

To earn a Brown undergraduate degree, students who did not transfer to Brown are expected to complete eight full-time semesters of enrollment at Brown.

Auditing and Vagabonding/Attendance Policy

Auditing a course allows you the opportunity to take a course without receiving course credit. "Vagabonding" is the process of sitting in a course without officially registering either for credit or as an auditor.

Class Attendance

Course instructors have the authority to establish attendance policies for their courses. Such policies are usually published in course syllabi.

Class Field Trips

Dean's Notes

Faculty have jurisdiction over academic practices within their courses. However, Deans of the College and Student Support Services may at times provide dean's support notes on behalf of students who are experiencing personal or health circumstances that impact their ability to complete academic work.

Double Concentrating

Choosing a double concentration allows you to focus your studies in two specific areas, though all Brown students are encouraged to take courses across a variety of disciplines.

Exam Excuses

The dates of final exams are fixed by the Registrar so that students will not be scheduled to take multiple exams in the same time block. Students are required to take their exams at the designated time.

Enrolling in Courses with Overlapping Meeting Times

By Brown University Faculty Rules, Brown undergraduates may not enroll in courses with overlapping meeting times. The Registration system prevents students from doing so to enforce this faculty rule. Students may petition for an exception only in narrow circumstances.

Grade Appeals Process

On the rare occasion when consulting with the instructor does not resolve the concern, students may appeal to the chair of the department.

Grade Changes

Brown University Faculty/Instructors may submit grade changes in Undergraduate or Graduate courses for a previously submitted final grade that is less than one year from the original submission date.

Graduating With Honors

Independent Credit for the First Half of a Year-long Course

Year-long courses require students to complete both semesters of the course in order to receive credit for each semester. Some departments will consider petitions from students to receive credit for the first semester of the course without completing the second semester. Departments have sole authority to consider such petitions and are under no obligation to do so.

Leavetaking

Each year, approximately 200 Brown students take a leave of absence to engage in meaningful activities that complement their academic studies.

No Repeating Courses for Credit Policy

Unless a course is explicitly approved by either the College Curriculum Council or Graduate Council as being able to be repeated for credit, once course credit has been earned with an initial passing grade A,B,C, or Satisfactory (S) or through Transfer Credit it cannot be officially registered for again for in an effort to improve one's initial grade.

Test Scores

At Brown, students may be able to use qualifying results of standardized examinations to place into higher level courses, to satisfy concentration requirements, or to qualify for advanced standing. To utilize qualifying results, please ensure you report your results to Brown.