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 professor works to create new ways to use methane, a major contributor to global warming
The energy industry burns hundreds of millions of dollars worth of methane as fuel every year, simply because it’s currently the most efficient use of the gas. But Penn Chemistry professor Daniel Mindiola is researching cleaner and more productive uses.
Penn professor teams up with NASA to find earth-like planets
One Penn professor has set his sights far beyond University City: He has teamed up with NASA to discover planets like Earth that exist beyond our own galaxy.
Over one hundred faculty sign letter in favor of divestment
On April 8, Fossil Free Penn released a letter in support of divestment from fossil fuels that was signed by 100 faculty members across 10 out of the 12 schools at Penn.
A presidential achievement
This spring, Penn awarded three Penn seniors up to $100,000 each to implement projects that they hope will change the world. Here's a look at each of the winners:
High schoolers and professors alike discuss philosophy at Penn conference
The two-day conference included presentations from high school students, philosophy graduate students and professors of philosophy on a wide range of topics, such as science, ethics and social issues.
Nobel-prize winning economist and author Daniel Kahnemen speaks at Penn
On Thursday and Friday, the Wharton School held its third annual People Analytics Conference at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia.
Food and Fire course connects hands-on with ancient civilizations
One of the first assignments under anthropology course “Food and Fire” (ANTH148) is to make your own knife.
With the closing of the Institute of Research in Cognitive Science, CogSci majors express concern
Administrators say the cognitive science major will not be affected.
Students prefer to study alone for GRE
Despite efforts from the University to normalize seeking help, many Penn students don’t like to ask for it — even when they’re testing to apply to graduate school.
Non-traditional undergrads, non-traditional challenges
LPS students often have already faced a difficult journey just to get to Penn, but financial aid policies and curriculum constraints often present additional challenges upon arrival.
New government policy allows international students studying STEM to stay in the country longer
The rule was part of the STEM Optional Practical Training program (OPT), and extends the period of time foreign students can stay in the country seven months longer than what was outlined in the last policy, which was passed in 2008.
Clear goals are a key to submatriculating at Penn
For Penn students who aren’t satisfied with just one degree, submatriculation can offer the opportunity to earn two degrees in the span of only four or five years.
Penn's Graduate School of Education ventures into Kazakhstan
Penn professors are working towards building Kazakhstan's first world-class national research university.
Penn's honors classes take a deeper dive into popular subjects
Not many classes at Penn have honors alternatives; the ones that do include Chemistry 101 and 102, Finance 100 and 101, Math 114 and 240 and Physics 140 and 141.
RealArts@Penn program provides students with an alternative to OCR
Since 2007, RealArts@Penn through the Kelly Writer's House creates a means through which a student of any college can be connected with internships in the entertainment, journalism and publishing fields.
Penn professor conducts study on rise in opioid prescriptions
Mark Neuman, an assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care at the Perelman School of Medicine, recently led a study about this rise in opioid prescriptions.
Flint crisis has called attention to lead poisoning — but one Penn class has taught its dangers for years
In ENVS 404, Speaking About Lead in West Philadelphia, students learn about the history and dangers of lead poisoning and use their knowledge to perform educational outreach in West Philadelphia.
Penn professor named Woman Inspiring Change by Harvard Law
Penn Integrates Knowledge professor Dorothy Roberts was recently honored as one of Harvard’s Women Inspiring Change for 2016.
Penn professors weigh in on marriage and poverty
Certain Penn professors agree that policies the United States government has undertaken to promote marriage may not adequately target the problems of poverty in the United States.