Leading to a Bachelor of Arts, the study of decision making at Brown covers descriptive questions like how people, institutions, and nations make judgments and decisions; normative questions about rationality, such as what constitutes the best judgments and decisions; and prescriptive questions, such as how the process of decision making can be improved to make actual decisions closer to optimal ones. By virtue of its broad interdisciplinary nature, the study of decision making covers work found in a variety of more traditional disciplines including psychology, cognitive science, economics, philosophy, computer science, and neuroscience. Professor Steven Sloman is the concentration advisor. Upon declaring, concentrators are also encouraged to speak with the appropriate area specialist from among those listed here.
Standard Program for the AB Degree
| CLPS Classes: | ||
| CLPS 0220 | Making Decisions | 1 |
| Choose one of the following: | 1 | |
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Human Cognition | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 2 | |
| Special Topics in Cognition: Collective Cognition | ||
| Mechanisms of Motivated Decision Making | ||
| Affective Neuroscience | ||
| Psychology in Business and Economics | ||
| Blame and Punishment | ||
| The Moral Brain | ||
| The Psychology and Philosophy of Happiness | ||
| Distribution Requirements: | ||
| Select one Introductory Course from the following: | 1 | |
| Principles of Economics | ||
| Introduction to Scientific Computing and Problem Solving 1 | ||
or CSCI 0111 | Computing Foundations: Data | |
or CSCI 0150 | Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Science | |
or CSCI 0170 | Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction | |
or CSCI 0180 | Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction | |
or CSCI 0190 | Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science | |
| Select Two Advanced Courses From: | 2 | |
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Introduction to Game Theory | ||
| Intermediate Microeconomics | ||
or ECON 1130 | Intermediate Microeconomics (Mathematical) | |
| Big Data | ||
| Economics in the Laboratory | ||
| Theory of Behavioral Economics | ||
| Game Theory and Applications to Economics | ||
| Decision Theory: Foundations and Applications | ||
| Methods Classes: | ||
| Choose One From the Following: | 1 | |
| Essential Statistics | ||
| Statistical Inference I | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Data Fluency for All | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Probability for Computing and Data Science | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Plus One of the Following: | 1 | |
| Laboratory in Social Cognition | ||
| Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Science 1 | ||
| Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction 1 | ||
| Applied Research Methods for Economists | ||
| Mathematical Econometrics I | ||
| Logic | ||
| Electives: | 3 | |
| Students will choose three additional courses in consultation with a concentration advisor that will constitute an integrated specialization in some area of decision science. Any advanced course taught at Brown is eligible. Such courses might include, but are not limited to: | ||
| Psychology and Cognitive Science | ||
| Introduction to programming | ||
| Introduction to Programming for the Mind, Brain and Behavior | ||
| Pragmatics | ||
| Directed Reading in Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences | ||
| Economics: | ||
| Theory of Behavioral Economics | ||
| Game Theory and Applications to Economics | ||
| Applied Mathematics: | ||
| Computational Probability and Statistics | ||
| Theory of Probability II | ||
| Neural Dynamics: Theory and Modeling | ||
| Philosophy: | ||
| Moral Theories | ||
| Epistemology | ||
| Computer Science: | ||
| Computer Vision | ||
| Computational Linguistics | ||
| Data Science | ||
| Political Science: | ||
| Polarized Politics | ||
| Prosperity: The Ethics and Economics of Wealth Creation | ||
| International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Public Health: | ||
PHP 1740 | Principles of Health Behavior and Health Promotion Interventions | |
| Capstone: | 1 | |
| Fall seminar in which students write an integrative paper or do a project covering their areas of study in their senior year. | ||
| Total Credits | 13 | |
| 1 | Students may not use the same course to satisfy both the Introductory and Methods course requirements. |
Students will be expected to take no more than 6 courses below the 1000-level within the concentration. Students with multiple concentrations may not apply more than 2 courses from a second concentration to the AB in Behavioral Decision Sciences. Students are responsible for satisfying all prerequisites for courses they plan to take.
Honors
The Honors Program in BDS gives undergraduates a special opportunity to carry out a research project under the direction of a faculty member that they have developed a relationship with. The program also provides the opportunity for senior concentrators to receive their undergraduate degree with Honors. Participation in the program allows students to develop an understanding of research and acquire research skills and background.
Candidates for Honors in BDS must meet all of the requirements of the BDS concentration as described above. Candidates submit their application for the program at the beginning of semester 7. We encourage students to seek out a faculty mentor prior to semester 7 and to complete their methods courses and two of their three electives before semester 7. Please refer to the CLPS Honors Program page for detailed information about the specific requirements for the Honors Program in BDS.