Welcome!
Congratulations! Welcome to the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
We at Penn Engineering look forward to greeting you in the fall and would like to take this opportunity to offer you the very best wishes for success at Penn. Please feel free to take a look at all of the information provided throughout our websites.
We’re here to help answer your questions and concerns. Please contact Ms. Ellen Eckert, Director for Undergraduate Admissions and Advising, at eckertel@seas.upenn.edu or 215-898-4813 if we can be of assistance.
You’re Accepted! Now What?
Learn more about Penn and Penn Engineering
First Year FAQs: Learn about Admissions and academics at Penn Engineering or visit the Student Handbook FAQ on Classes and Curricula.
Engineering Undergraduate Student Handbook: This Handbook has the definitive answers to your questions about academic requirements for engineering students. Bookmark this site for future reference.
Familiarize yourself with Life at Penn: This section of the Penn website has extensive information on the University, the University City area and Philadelphia.
Essentials for individuals new to Penn
Your PennKey:Your PennKey name and password gives you access a Penn email account, and many other essential online services. See the PennKey website for details on obtaining a PennKey and password. New students receive the instructions for setting up their PennKey before arriving.
Your PennCard: The PennCard is the official University of Pennsylvania identification card for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Penn community. The PennCard is also used for many activities including building access, recreation and library services, and PennCash purchases. Your first PennCard is free. Lost, stolen, or damaged cards can be replaced for a fee.
Before arriving on campus, new students can have their cards pre-made by sending in a digital photo via Campus Express. Campus Express is where students can order textbooks, buy a new computer, purchase a discounted semester-based transit pass, learn about banking options, register property and many other services.
U@Penn: This is a one-stop-shop for all links to people, place and things at Penn. Fun fact: U@Penn started here at Penn Engineering as a project of the Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board (EDAB), and was adopted by the University due to its popularity.
Attend New Student Orientation (NSO)
Orientation Peer Advisor (OPA): You are assigned an OPA (an engineering upperclassman) to help guide you through your first summer before starting at Penn and NSO.
NSO Schedule: A schedule of Engineering-specific NSO events will be provided. You can also visit the University NSO website.
Meet your Faculty Advisor: You will find out who your faculty advisor is at New Student Orientation. There will be office hours held during NSO so you will be able to meet your faculty advisor.
Life after NSO
Major advising: In addition to faculty advising, most questions that you may have can be answered by contacting the Undergraduate Coordinator for your appropriate major. Access the undergraduate program websites of Penn Engineering’s six departments.
Drop-in advising: Professional Advisors in the Office of Academic Services (OAS) are available to assist you during normal business hours in whatever way they can.
Location:
Office of Academic Services
109 Towne Building (you can find the building here)
Instructions For Changing Your Major: Learn how to change your major by visiting the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
Curriculum Deferred Information
First-year who do not initially choose a specific major when applying to Penn are designated “Curriculum Deferred” (CD). Many first-year students are CD, so you shouldn’t feel as though you are the exception.
Since you are not required to declare your Engineering major until the end of your first year, you have time to learn about each department. During New Student Orientation and throughout the fall semester, the Office of Academic Services (OAS) Office and the academic departments organize events to give you opportunities to explore degree options.
All Curriculum Deferred students are required to take a 1000-level engineering course during their freshman year in either the Fall or the Spring semester. Students who declare their major by the end of the Fall 2009 semester will not be required to take a 1000-level engineering course.
Are you ready to declare a Major?
Below are the basic instructions. The PATH form you need to use is “Declare/ Update Field of Study.”
Basic Instructions
- Meet with your assigned CD Academic Advisor.
- Meet with the Undergraduate Curriculum Chair of the curriculum in which you wish to declare. Identify courses you plan to take in preparation for your meeting and bring a list along with you to the meeting.
- Complete the PATH form – Declare/ Update Field of Study
Curriculum Deferred Advising
Faculty Advisor for CD Students: Robert Ghrist
OAS Office, 109 Towne Building
Phone: 215-898-7246
Email: ugadvising@seas.upenn.edu
First Semester Courses for CD Students
Recommended courses for the First Semester
- Any 1000-level Engineering Course (See below for complete list of 1000 -level Engineering Courses)
- MATH 1400
- PHYS 0150 (with lab) or PHYS 0140 (no lab)
- CHEM 1012 (Take only section 4 or 5 for engineering students)
- CHEM 1101 Lab
- Writing Requirement course or Social Science and Humanities elective
All Curriculum Deferred students are required to take one of the 1000-level engineering courses listed below. If you are leaning towards a particular major, you are recommended to take the 1000-level course of that major and follow the recommended courses for the first semester for that major. See Recommended Courses for the First Semester for All Majors for more information.
| Major of Interest | Course | Course Title |
| Bioengineering | BE 1010 | Introduction to Bioengineering (fall only) |
| Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | CBE 1600 | Introduction to Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (fall semester only) |
| Computer Engineering | ESE 1500 | Digital Audio Basics (spring semester only) |
| Computer Science | CIS 1100 or CIS 1200 | Introduction to Programming or Programming Languages and Techniques I (if you have AP CIS 1100 credit) |
| Electrical Engineering | ESE 1110 | Circuits, Signals, Networks, and Systems (fall only) |
| Materials Science and Engineering | MSE 1010 | Introduction to Materials Science &Engineering (fall only) |
| Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics | Circuits, Signals, Networks, and Systems (fall only) | Introduction to Scientific Computing or Introduction to Mechanical Design(Students who are considering this major should also take MEAM 1100/MEAM 1470 instead of PHYS 0150.) |
| Systems Engineering | ESE 1110 | Introduction to Scientific Computing or Introduction to Mechanical Design (Students considering this major should also take MEAM 1100/MEAM 1470 instead of PHYS 0150.) |
Learn to Speak “Penngineering”
If someone tells you to take your MEAM CPG to OAS for advising, you might think you are in a place where acronyms and abbreviations abound. And you might be right – Penn Engineering certainly has quite a few. Read on for helpful translations of the acronyms you are bound to see and hear.
Decoding Penn Engineering
Departments and Programs:
- BE = Bioengineering
- CBE = Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- CIS = Computer and Information Science
- DMD = Digital Media Design
- ESE = Electrical and Systems Engineering
- MSE = Materials Science Engineering
- MEAM = Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
- NETS = Networked & Social Systems Engineering
Centers + Institutes:
- LRSM = Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter
- GRASP Lab = General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception Lab
- SIG Center = SIG Center for Computer Graphics
- PRECISE = Penn Research in Embedded Computing and Integrated Systems Engineering
- IME = Institute for Medicine and Engineering
- PCMD = Penn Center for Molecular Discovery
Resources, Offices and Groups:
- OAS = Office of Academic Services
- CETS = Computing and Educational Technology Services, pronounced “sets”
- EOS = Engineering Operations Services
- IKON = The Copy Center in Levine Hall (inside next to the Walnut Street entrance)
- EDAB = Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board
- ESAC = Engineering Student Activities Council
- SWE = Society of Women Engineers
- ENIAC = Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer, the first all-purpose computer that was invented here
- Campus and Philadelphia Abbreviations:
- VPUL = Vice Provost of University Life
- CTL = Center for Teaching and Learning
- DP = Daily Pennsylvanian, as in the Penn student newspaper
- SEPTA = Southeastern Pennsylvanian Transportation Authority
- LUCY = Loop through University City
Other Helpful Abbreviations
- HHMI = Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- NSF = National Science Foundation
- NIH = National Institutes of Health
- DOD = Department of Defense
- DOE = Department of Energy
Quick Pronunciation Tips
When saying the names of the Levine and Towne Buildings, the “e” on the end doesn’t affect pronunciation.
Towne: pronounced “town,” as in your hometown.
Levine: pronounced “leVIN,” as in a vehicle’s VIN number.