Academics
There’s always something new going on at Penn’s four undergraduate schools and 12 graduate schools. Look here for information on upcoming academic initiatives, new classes and research conducted by professors and students.
SCUE officially launches 2025 white paper at event encouraging dialogue, student-led change
The event, which took place at Houston Hall, celebrated the work of SCUE members and acknowledged the contributions of various advisors and partner organizations in the creation of the white paper.
Path@Penn launches new course planning feature
Students can access the Path Plans tool by selecting the “Primary Plan” button on the Path@Penn webpage.
Former Ukrainian first lady speaks at Perry World House on Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty
Former Ukrainian first lady Kateryna Yushchenko spoke at Perry World House on Thursday, addressing Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
A look inside Penn’s student course review process and how it's used by faculty, departments
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn faculty members about student course evaluations, with many noting significant room for improvement to the process.
From biology to math, here’s how Penn STEM departments have changed their curriculum
Changes include the removal of biology major concentrations, new policies surrounding retroactive credit in the Department of Mathematics, and the sunsetting of the systems science and engineering major.
SCUE 2025 white paper calls for academic flexibility, DEI initiatives, free speech reform
The Student Committee on Education released its 2025 white paper offering Penn recommendations in six areas: Academics; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; One University; Wellness; West Philadelphia; and Open Expression.
Penn adds two new courses to undergraduate AI curriculum
Since the AI major was introduced in fall 2024 two courses, Introduction to AI and Linear Algebra with Machine Learning Applications, have been added to the curriculum.
Center for Africana Studies honors Harvard historian with MLK Jr. Social Justice Award
Patterson received the 24th Annual MLK Jr. Social Justice award, which highlights an individual with “influential scholarship and commitment to social justice,” for his extensive research into Jamaican slavery.
Here’s how Penn professors decide what they teach
The process starts with faculty submitting course proposals through a University-wide application called Curriculum Manager which is run by the Office of the University Registrar.
Penn Graduate School of Education set to pilot AI masters program in fall 2025
The curriculum is designed to explore a variety of topics from the power and potential of machine learning to the ethical implications of AI in education.
Search underway for speaker in Elon Musk endowed Penn lecture series
Discussions at the Center for Particle Cosmology are currently underway to select the next speaker for the Elon Musk Public Lecture series, which was last held in 2023.
Penn seniors receive Marshall Scholarship for graduate study in the United Kingdom
College and Wharton seniors Tej Patel and Sridatta Teerdhala are among the 36 Marshall Scholars selected this year from among 983 candidates.
Five Penn professors everyone should know
Here are five of the most well-known Penn professors whose influence spans well beyond their classrooms.
Penn professors discuss potential impact of second Trump term on environmental policy, research
Trump is set to assume office on Jan. 20, leading a Republican-dominated federal government. In interviews with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn professors discussed potential environmental policy changes anticipated during his second term.
Penn Carey Law professor Amy Wax threatens to sue University on basis of racial discrimination
Wax’s lawyers argued that the University’s speech policies are “inconsistent” and violate Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibit discrimination and employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Penn SP2 to end support program for formerly incarcerated individuals
According to an updated webpage describing the program, starting June 2025 GRI will no longer offer direct services and instead focus on the criminal legal system as part of SP2's Criminal Justice Hub.
‘A dire situation’: Penn faculty say shared governance broke down over past year
Penn’s faculty members claimed that the University’s shared governance structures have eroded over the past year amid administrative turmoil and controversies surrounding academic freedom and open expression.
Penn GSE to launch college, career readiness program with School District of Philadelphia
Programming will be free of cost to the District, schools, and students, according to the Penn GSE press release.
Students concerned for future of Indigenous studies program a year after coordinator retires
Students expressed frustration about the lack of communication from the University, the sparse Indigenous representation among NAIS faculty, and the limited number of courses.