Academics
From tenure decisions to contract renewals, here's why course evaluations matter
Poor course evaluations signal to the department that the instructor should be placed into another course, or the instructor’s standing in the tenure process should be reevaluated.
Columbia journalism prof. Stephen Fried will teach mental health writing next semester
Throughout the semester, students will hear from expert guest lecturers and will work on their own piece of nonfiction writing such as a memoir, investigative article, narrative long-form story, or medical science piece.
Pulitzer-prize winning author Jennifer Egan will teach at Penn next semester
Egan, a well-known contemporary writer, won the Pulitzer Prize for her 2011 novel, 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' and she most recently published the book, 'Manhattan Beach.'
New building will connect Stiteler Hall with GSE to meet demands of growing graduate program
A rough design for this new space is expected to be completed in mid-January, and a more specific timeline for the project will be determined once the design is finished.
Marijuana use among teens does not lead to behavioral problems, Annenberg study finds
The Annenberg researchers found that marijuana use does not increase conduct problems like school truancy or stealing in a recently published study.
Degrees in the humanities have plummeted in the past decade as Penn students flock to sciences
From 2003 to 2017, Penn saw a 37.18 percent decline in degrees awarded in the humanities and a 19.57 percent decrease in degrees awarded in the social sciences.
From 'wooder' to 'cawfee,' this Penn prof. breaks down the evolving Philadelphia dialect
Building on prior research that examined class stratification and other social factors, Meredith Tamminga is specifically looking at the reasons behind changes in the pronunciation of various words.
Penn genetics prof. Sarah Tishkoff leads study examining early African genomes
The research could reveal new information and challenge assumptions about early human history in Africa.
Penn's CIS Department faces 'painfully high' demand for courses, causing long waitlists
This high demand leaves some students stuck on waitlists, unable to satisfy computer science courses that are required for their majors and minors.
Penn senior Anea Moore sees her Rhodes Scholarship as a chance to provide access for others
Moore was named one of 32 American Rhodes Scholars out of 880 applicants who were endorsed by their colleges.
Grad. group's kickoff event promises first-gen. low-income students greater visibility
The Penn First Graduate Association formed earlier this semester to support first-generation, low-income graduate students.
Dorothy Cheney, Penn professor and renowned researcher of primates, died Nov. 9
Cheney, whose research exposed the complex thinking of primates, was praised as a 'spectacular scientist,' The New York Times reported.
Penn says it's investing in climate change research — its only climate scientist disagrees
Penn does not have any standing sustainability professors — only lecturers, adjunct, and visiting professors — and professor Irina Marinov is the only standing faculty member studying climate science.
Penn's board of trustees approves hundreds of millions for construction costs at meeting
The trustees also approved the creation of two new master's degrees in genetic counseling and biomedical informatics through the Perelman School of Medicine.
All students will now be required to enroll in two-step verification for Penn logins
The University required all faculty to enroll in the verification system by Oct. 31.
Penn students launch #ASiAM campaign to demonstrate value of Asian American studies
The campaign started last April when the ASAM UAB released an online video, which features several Penn students discussing what they have gained from their ASAM courses.
Penn named 16th best university in the world in 2019 by U.S. News and World Report
Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, and Yale universities all outranked Penn on the list.
Penn Medicine and Wharton Executive Education launch program in health care leadership
The first four-day course will take place in March 2019 and will cost participants $6,500.
Michael Gazzaniga speaks about his famed split-brain studies at Philomathean society event
Gazzaniga is an author of many standard Penn introductory psychology and neuroscience textbooks.