Using semester credit hour equivalents (with each Brown course = 4 semester credit hours, since the 30 required to graduate = 120 semester credit hours):
| Course type | UT Dallas | Brown | Difference (B - UTD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math + statistics[a] | 24 | 20 | -4 |
| Natural science | 8 | 12[b] | +4 |
| Engineering + CS | 62 | 52 | -10 |
| Total technical | 94 | 84 | -10 |
| General education | 28[c] | 16 | -12 |
| Total required | 122 | 100 | -22 |
| Free electives | 4 | 20 | +16 |
| Total credits | 126 | 120 | -6 |
[a]Includes statistics, discrete math, linear algebra listed under engineering or CS headings.
[b]Includes ENGN 0040 and 0510 whose descriptions looks like typical physics courses.
[c]Includes ECS 3390 technical communication and CE 3161 social and ethical issues in engineering.
Note that both schools exceed the relevant ABET minimums for math + natural science (30 semester credit hours) and engineering (45 semester credit hours). Brown has to require some general education for ABET accredited engineering majors even though it does not for other majors.
While there is still a difference in volume of requirements, the difference when looked at by credits is less than when looked at by courses, since UT Dallas has mostly 3 credit courses (with a few 1, 2, and 4 credit courses), while Brown courses can reasonably be assumed to be “larger” 4 credit courses.