Brown in Barbados - Academics
Students enroll in the Brown in Barbados program for a semester or full academic year. Students are admitted to the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (UWI-CHC) within a particular faculty, (a group of departments concerned with a major division of knowledge).
Curriculum
Participants officially enroll in one of the following faculties: Humanities and Education, Law, Pure and Applied Sciences, or Social Sciences. After arriving at UWI-CHC, students will be able to take classes from a variety of faculties by obtaining permission from department advisors. Courses typically emphasize Caribbean related themes.
The university has especially strong programs in History, Economics, and Marine Sciences. A Women's Studies program is also available to interested students.
UWI-CHC's curriculum design and teaching style is heavily influenced by the British higher education system. Although the university recently switched to a semester schedule and modular course system - a change that somewhat altered the academic culture of the campus - the original influence of the British model is still reflected in the university's exam system and approach to instruction.
Course Requirements and Structure
Course organization and instruction closely resembles what you might encounter at a traditional British institution. Each course is typically comprised of two lectures and one seminar (tutorial) session per week. Science courses require labs in addition to lecture attendance. Lectures are rarely interrupted by questions or comments from students. Instead, seminar sessions are reserved for student questions and presentations.
Grades are largely based on the results of final exams. In fact, papers written during the semester may account for only 20-40% of a final grade. Professors do not usually assign specific weekly reading but instead provide students with a reading list. It is the responsibility of the student to design an approach to the subject matter. As a result, students applying to attend Brown in Barbados are expected to be highly independent and self-motivated learners.
Academic Calendar
NOTE: The academic calendar below is an approximation based on previous schedules and observances. Specific dates may vary.
Semester 1: Late August to mid-December
Semester 2: Early January to early June
Credit
Students receive a Brown transcript listing S (satisfactory) for courses successfully completed abroad with an equivalent grade of C- or better. The normal course load is five courses per semester which will grant four Brown credits. A copy of the University of the West Indies transcript is kept on file at the OIP, and students can request copies for graduate or professional school applications.
Updated: November 24, 2008