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.
Temple University professor discusses new book on technical lands at Weitzman School of Design
The book talk started out with a lecture from Nesbit before opening up to a roundtable discussion.
David Browne discusses latest book at Kelly Writers House, details Greenwich Village music scene
Browne read excerpts from his book and detailed sources of inspiration for the story in a discussion moderated by Anthony DeCurtis, a distinguished lecturer in the creative writing program.
Second Penn Faculty Senate colloquium panel discusses economic value of higher education
The Feb. 26 panel – titled “The Price of Knowledge: Is a College Degree Worth the Cost?” – was the second iteration of the Faculty Senate’s three-part colloquium series “The Future of American Universities.”
Penn students win $10,000 in 2025 Y-Prize competition with adjustable bile duct technology project
Penn undergraduates won $10,000 in the 2025 Y-Prize competition with their proposal for an adjustable bile duct technology that maintains bile flow without the need for additional surgeries.
Penn Global announces 2025-26 global seminars, adds eight new destinations
The new courses will take students across four continents and span a variety of disciplines, from reproductive health to engineering.
Stuart Weitzman School of Design students visit Senegal as part of studio class curriculum
Stuart Weitzman School of Design students traveled to Senegal for eight days as part of their studio class curriculum.
Penn Medicine graduate programs instructed to cut Ph.D. admissions by 35% due to funding uncertainty
The email noted that the school has admitted an average of 307 students in recent years, but this year plans to admit 201 — a 35% reduction.
Penn to reduce graduate admissions, rescind acceptances amid federal research funding cuts
Penn notified department chairs that it will cut admissions across graduate programs — a decision faculty members say will force them to rescind offers from newly-accepted students.
Penn students, faculty conduct preservation project of Stuart Weitzman Hall ahead of renovations
During the spring 2024 semester, students participated in a preservation project of Stuart Weitzman Hall through a course titled "Documentation, Research, Recording II."
Amy Wax speaks at Harvard conservative clubs’ conference weeks after suing Penn
The conference was co-hosted by various conservative and Republican student clubs at Harvard University and The Harvard Salient, a conservative campus publication.
Penn Kislak Center opens colonial coffeehouse recreation for United States' 250th birthday
The Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts opened a recreation of a colonial coffeehouse last week in recognition of the Semiquincentennial: the 250th anniversary of America’s birth.
Penn partners with Santander Bank for professional immersion experience in Philadelphia
The course is a collaboration with Penn English Language Programs, an intensive English-language curriculum for international students and professionals.
Penn students, faculty discuss submatriculation programs, planning
The submatriculation process, which allows students to obtain an undergraduate and master's degree simultaneously from one of Penn's 12 graduate schools, is available to all students at Penn regardless of their school.
SCUE officially launches 2025 white paper at event encouraging dialogue, student-led change
The event, which took place at Houston Hall, celebrated the work of SCUE members and acknowledged the contributions of various advisors and partner organizations in the creation of the white paper.
Path@Penn launches new course planning feature
Students can access the Path Plans tool by selecting the “Primary Plan” button on the Path@Penn webpage.
Former Ukrainian first lady speaks at Perry World House on Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty
Former Ukrainian first lady Kateryna Yushchenko spoke at Perry World House on Thursday, addressing Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
A look inside Penn’s student course review process and how it's used by faculty, departments
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn faculty members about student course evaluations, with many noting significant room for improvement to the process.
From biology to math, here’s how Penn STEM departments have changed their curriculum
Changes include the removal of biology major concentrations, new policies surrounding retroactive credit in the Department of Mathematics, and the sunsetting of the systems science and engineering major.
SCUE 2025 white paper calls for academic flexibility, DEI initiatives, free speech reform
The Student Committee on Education released its 2025 white paper offering Penn recommendations in six areas: Academics; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; One University; Wellness; West Philadelphia; and Open Expression.