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 will conduct fall 2020 on campus with hybrid of online and in-person instruction
Penn will invite students back to campus on Sept. 1 for a hybrid fall 2020 semester with a mixture of in-person and virtual instruction. The remainder of the semester will be conducted online after Thanksgiving break.
Perry World House selects 31 student fellows for global affairs research program
Selected from a pool of more than 150 applicants, the newly assembled cohort is a diverse set of rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from four undergraduate schools and many different countries.
Students frustrated with cost of Penn summer courses take classes at other institutions
Because summer classes are taught remotely and not in person this year, students said they chose to take summer courses at other institutions which charged less for transferable course credits, in comparison to courses that Penn is offering.
Communication major consolidates 12 concentrations to five new options in curriculum update
The new concentrations — Advocacy & Activism, Audiences & Persuasion, Culture & Society, Data & Network Science, and Politics & Policy — represent a "less is more approach."
Black Pre-Law Association compiles courses and resources for allies, Black students
BPLA shared a compilation of resources for students, including recommended Penn faculty and staff, courses focusing on Black issues, Black LGBTQ courses, and Black movies for white allies.
Master in Law program doubles enrollment for summer 2020
The summer cohort includes over 90 students from a variety of degree-seeking programs, such as Wharton MBA, Penn Dental, and Penn Veterinary Medicine students, who are pursuing joint degrees.
Students and faculty pleased with virtual Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring program
While PURM participants said they are disappointed that they are unable to conduct research in person, they remain optimistic about their projects, and appreciate how faculty mentors have worked to provide meaningful research opportunities.
Penn launches free virtual summer academy for rising Philadelphia high school seniors
The goal of the program is to increase students' access to high-quality learning and help prepare them for success after high school.
After first full week of virtual summer courses, students have mixed reactions
Students found little differences in remote summer learning in comparison to what they experienced during the latter half of the spring semester.
Professors use online workshops, resources to prepare for remote summer learning
After the University announced that summer courses would be online, instructors began to consult with University-provided resources in preparation for the start of summer courses.
Paideia Program announces 20 inaugural fellows who will take civic discourse seminars
The group of 20 inaugural fellows were selected for their commitment to “developing the knowledge, skills, and values needed for effective, ethical, and civil dialogue in a diverse world.”
PWH Borders and Boundaries code-a-thon raises money for COVID-19 relief
From June 1 to June 5, participants will help finalize the research group's dataset on border crossings by using Google Earth Pro to record infrastructure at border crossings.
Error 404 exhibit showcases Fine Arts senior thesis projects — in virtual reality
The virtual art exhibition was created by 2020 College graduate Stara Diamond and 2020 College of Liberal and Professional Studies graduate Natalia Cabalceta.
Penn in Washington to conduct classes and internship program virtually for fall semester
Penn in Washington typically features a cohort of 25 Penn undergraduate students, who take four credits in specified courses alongside an internship of the student's choice in Washington, D.C.
Two College students create Penn's first undergraduate journal on the Middle East
Inspired by their Middle Eastern backgrounds, rising College sophomore Laila Shadid and rising College junior Zeynep Karadeniz decided to create the journal, called Fenjan.
With fall semester format undecided, students worry about online classes, on-campus health
The University's four outlined scenarios have drawn mixed reactions from students, as some believe any form of on-campus instruction is too great a risk, while others wish Penn would have provided more specifics.
‘A bittersweet victory’: 2020-2021 Fulbright awardees face later starts, cancellations
Nine members of the Class of 2020 were awarded Fulbright grants for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Zoom tutoring and outdoor classes: Netter Center and profs. prepare for fall ABCS courses
Even in a possibly remote semester, professors are trying to retain the community service aspect of ABCS courses.
Mapping U.S. colleges' fall 2020 plans
In real time, these interactive maps are tracking the fall reopening policies of over 320 colleges across each of the 50 states. Double click to zoom into the maps.