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 Museum to open new exhibit on fashion history called ‘The Stories We Wear’ in September
The exhibit called "The Stories We Wear" is set to open on Sept. 25 and will be available for nine months for visitors of the Penn Museum.
Penn astronomers discover largest comet in modern history that will be visible in 2031
Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein was named after Pedro Bernardinelli, who received his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Penn in 2021, and professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics Gary Bernstein, the astronomers who discovered it.
Nine fellows selected as 2021 Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity
The fellows — who will conduct research across five of Penn’s schools — come from a variety of backgrounds and possess a wide breadth of research interests.
Penn confirms plans to conduct fully in-person fall semester
Fully vaccinated students will not be required to submit to any form of regular COVID-19 testing, as they had been in the spring 2021 semester.
Students, professor deem spring 2021 course taught using virtual reality a success
Students attended INTR 391: Senior Seminar for Thesis Research using virtual reality headsets, which allowed them to customize their avatars, walk around, and have face-to-face conversations with their classmates.
New Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies will fund research, house postdoc program
The Latin American and Latinx Studies Program will become the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies on July 1.
Penn students to co-host second annual virtual pre-health conference in August
The conference will take place virtually from Aug. 4 to 6 and will feature guest speakers such as celebrity doctor Bill Dorfman and workshop events.
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.