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.
Meet five of Penn’s 20 Fulbright scholars for the 2021-2022 academic year
The Fulbright Program, paid for by the United States government, funds up to 12 months of international experience for the award recipients.
2021 graduate paints campus food truck with Chinese paintings to counter anti-Asian hate
Rosa Sun completed the project for FNAR 489: Senior Seminar Project (Spring), a required course for fine arts and design students.
COVID-19 has limited impact on Penn Course Review ratings, DP analysis finds
Professors and students attributed the largely stable ratings to the resilience of the Penn community and creative measures faculty members took to move their coursework online.
The Graduation Issue 2021: 2019-2020 Year in Review
The Class of 2021's junior year started off like any other, but was upended as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, forcing students to cut their spring semester on campus short and transition to online learning.
The Graduation Issue 2021: 2017-2018 Year in Review
From the Eagles' first-ever Super Bowl victory, to a contentious Amy Wax op-ed, the Class of 2021's first year at Penn was defined by celebration and controversy.
Philosophy professor Karen Detlefsen to serve as vice provost for education
The vice provost for education oversees undergraduate and graduate education at Penn, designing and implementing policies that promote academic excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary knowledge.
Staying at Penn this summer? Here’s what will be open on campus.
Though all summer 2021 courses are set to be held online, a number of on-campus services — including libraries, recreational facilities, and the Penn Museum — will be open to students staying in Philadelphia.
Academically Based Community Service courses adapt to year of virtual learning
ABCS courses, which are run by the Netter Center, typically interact with local public schools in West Philadelphia, communities of faith, and community organizations.
Penn InTouch replacement delayed to March 2022
The new system, originally set to debut in late 2020, is set to consist of a number of improvements to the outdated Penn InTouch software, including making the interface more modern and seamless and fixing glitches.
Penn’s Biomedical Library will be renamed, renovated to become interdisciplinary hub
The building will soon be known as the Biotech Commons and is set to feature new collaboration spaces, expanded study rooms, and a digital fabrication lab with 3D- and poster-printing capabilities.
Faculty advocacy group outlines recommendations to govern course end times with new block schedule
Penn's chapter of the American Association of University Professors urged the administration to refrain from encouraging professors to teach through the 10-minute passing time at the end of class meetings.
Suspension of this year’s dean’s list leaves some students disappointed
Some students said that the timing of the announcement, which was made less than two weeks before the end of spring classes, blindsided them, given how hard they worked to receive the award.
Penn suspends dean's list for 2020-2021 academic year
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University suspended dean's list awards to keep academic policies consistent with the previous year, in which Penn also adopted an extended pass/fail grading system.
Penn senior Tathagat Bhatia receives Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Bhatia will pursue a master’s degree in history and philosophy of science at Cambridge, after majoring in science, technology, and society with a concentration in energy and the environment at Penn.
Penn clarifies instructors won’t have to teach for 10 extra minutes under new block schedule
Several faculty members reported unclear communication from administrators about whether they would be required to teach for extra time, and if so, whether they would be compensated.
Penn junior named one of 16 Beinecke Scholars to receive funding for graduate study
The scholarship program is open to college juniors at approximately 135 different colleges and universities, and each university nominates a single student for a potential scholarship.
Here are the College courses that double count for fall 2021
Advance course registration for fall 2021 opens Tuesday and ends April 23.
Penn instructs students to ignore ‘online’ course designations during advance registration
The University is planning to hold all courses in person, regardless of their current location listing on Penn InTouch — some of which are currently listed as "online," and others as "in-person."
From mathematicians to aspiring journalists, meet five members of the Class of 2025
Penn released decisions for regular decision applicants on Tuesday, offering admission to 3,202 students and recording its lowest ever acceptance rate of 5.68%.
