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.
Penn falls two places to No. 8 in U.S. News & World Report university ranking
Penn was surpassed by Stanford University and the University of Chicago this year, both of which share the No. 6 spot.
First years burdened by workload but buoyed by social life during first weeks of school
Many students agreed that their social experience has been better than expected, citing opportunities to meet other first years through classes and virtual study groups.
Penn Ph.D. student wins literary prize for memoir about childhood in Philadelphia
Penn English Ph.D. student Joseph Earl Thomas won the 2020 Chautauqua Janus Prize for “Reality Marble,” a memoir based on his childhood in Philadelphia.
Virtual shopping period met with a mix of praise and privacy concerns
Students, overall, have found the access to Canvas pages useful in determining whether to enroll in classes, but not all classes' Canvas pages are available, as class material access is up to the discretion of the professor.
Penn professor organizes nationwide strike for academics against police violence
From Sept. 8 to Sept. 9, participants will refrain from teaching and administrative duties in efforts to focus on public teach-ins about police brutality and violence particularly against communities of color.
Penn will not create an ethnic studies, anti-racism requirement despite community support
Emory University, the University of Pittsburgh, and California State University — the largest public university system in the United States — have all recently required students to take a class on ethnic studies and anti-racism.
Nursing students publish open letter condemning Penn Nursing admin’s response to COVID-19
Nursing students used iHuman, an online nursing simulation, and listened to a free podcast called "Serial" in lieu of in-person clinical rotations this past spring and summer terms.
Penn instructor releases book analyzing successful outsider campaigns in Phila. elections
The book, titled Philadelphia Battlefields: Disruptive Campaigns and Upset Elections in a Changing City, hit shelves in August.
Penn launches virtual shopping period that allows access to all courses' Canvas pages
The Virtual Shopping Period, which is from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15, will give undergraduate students access to all courses' Canvas pages as an "observer" to view any published material.
Back to school, COVID-19 edition: Tips for first years to survive virtual college at Penn
To help Penn's new students navigate this uniquely challenging semester, The Daily Pennsylvanian asked upperclassmen and professors for advice about how to succeed in college amid the coronavirus pandemic.
From pig dissection to biodiversity scavenger hunt: Inside a remote summer lab course
Students said some labs were difficult to follow given the absence of immediate help and feedback from a teaching assistant who would typically oversee the labs in person.
Here’s what the Ivy League is deciding for fall 2020
In early August, four Ivy League institutions backtracked on their initial plans for a hybrid fall semester and on-campus living.
Students frustrated by inability to register for coinciding asynchronous classes
After attempting to register for two asynchronous classes scheduled to be held at coinciding times, students have said the College denied their requests to allow them to register for the classes and override the time conflict.
Penn's fall 2020 academic, testing, and health plans, explained
What exactly will the fall semester look like and how will Penn administer testing throughout the semester? The Daily Pennsylvanian has answers to all of those questions and more — here is everything you need to know about Penn's fall semester plan.
Wharton MBA program will shift from hybrid to remote model for fall 2020
Friday's announcement comes as a shift from The Wharton School's initial plan for a hybrid fall semester. Newly appointed dean Erika James announced the MBA program change to students in a town hall meeting Friday morning.
Penn will mail all domestic undergrads COVID-19 tests and hold nearly all classes online
While colleges across the nation are reversing their fall plans, the University continues to stand by its initial hybrid instruction model. The vast majority of undergraduate fall classes will be held online, the statement read, with very few in-person offerings.
Students opting to stay home this fall cite health concerns and campus restrictions
Some students are not satisfied with the University's preventative methods to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as contact tracing, testing, and restrictions on social gatherings over 25 people.
Penn summer courses enroll students in 30% more course units than 2019
Vice Dean for Liberal and Professional Education Nora Lewis said 2020 summer enrollment has increased by approximately 850-900 course units as compared to 2019.
Former criminology students call on department to discuss race in curriculum
The letter also called on the Criminology department to diversify its current faculty members and future Master’s cohorts.
