Concerns regarding AP Credit and Evaluation should be directed to the Office of the Registrar, 150 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; registrar@upenn.edu.

Note that students with AP credit who take the equivalent course at Penn forfeit the AP credit. This applies to EAS 0091 (CHEM 091), PHYS 093/094, PHYS 0050/0051, PHYS 0150/0151, and CIS 1100.

Note: For additional AP information, please visit the Office of Admissions website (https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-applicants/pre-college-credits)

Chemistry

Some Penn Engineering curricula require CHEM 1012, 1022 plus the labs. Generally, AP credit is given only for the lecture parts of the courses (students must still enroll in CHEM 1101,1102). However, the chemistry department may grant "waivers" if students present evidence of equivalent lab experience in high school. Penn Engineering accepts these waivers in lieu of the requirement for the chemistry labs. The waivers do not carry academic credit, and students typically have to make up the science credits by taking other courses.

Students with AP credit for EAS 0091* (CHEM 091) are encouraged to take the placement exam(s) for CHEM 1012 and 1022 offered by the Chemistry Department. Students with EAS 0091* (CHEM 091) AP credit, who have not taken (or have not passed) the placement exam for CHEM 1012, may take CHEM 1022. Students with EAS 0091* (CHEM 091) credit may enroll in CHEM 1101 as a stand alone course. Students should be aware that there are situations where specific credit for CHEM 1012 and 1022 is required as for premed students.

Students with a Chemistry score of 6 or 7 on the Higher Level IB exam can be counted toward EAS 091. Please note the Standard Level exam is insufficient.

Please note: *EAS 0091 is for engineering students only.

Physics

Most Penn Engineering curricula require PHYS 0150 and/or 0151, which consist of lecture and lab, or PHYS 0140 and/or 0141, which are the lectures only. AP credit for physics is given by the Physics Department. Detailed information can be found at: https://www.physics.upenn.edu/undergraduate/credit-certification

MEAM 1100/1470 offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department is the equivalent of PHYS 0150. Students with AP credit in PHYS 0150 should not enroll in MEAM 1100/1470.

EE and CMPE students entering Fall 2023 or earlier:

• If you have taken ESE 1120, it satisfies the prereq for ESE 2150 and ESE 2180 and counts towards your degree.
• If you have taken (or have Penn approved credit for) other previously assumed equivalent physics courses (e.g. PHYS 151 or 171) and review the ESE1120 module and pass the module exam, the course will count towards your degree as a natural science requirement. It also will satisfy the prereq for ESE 2150 and ESE 2180.

EE and CMPE students entering Fall 2024 or later:

• ESE 1120 is mandatory for EE and CMPE students entering Fall 2024 and later.
• Students transferring into EE or CMPE after their first year can use PHYS 151 or PHYS 171 in place of ESE 1120 once the module is completed and the diagnostics exam is passed. The module and diagnostic exam is only for transfer students. No AP credit will count towards the ESE 1120 requirement.
• ESE 1120 is a natural science course in place of Phys 151 (or Phys 171)

Mathematics

Penn Engineering students should refer to the guidance provided by the Math Department regarding Math AP scores.

For additional AP information, please visit the Office of Admissions website (https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-applicants/pre-college-credits)

Taking Courses Elsewhere

PENN ENGINEERING STUDENTS MAY TAKE UP TO 4 COURSE UNITS (CUs)* FOR CREDIT AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS (i.e. “credit away”).

Students wishing to apply for "credit away" must obtain approval from the appropriate department at Penn before enrolling in the course. To request credit away through a Penn department, log in to XCAT (External Course Approval Tool) and submit a course syllabus and other supporting materials from the external institution.

After completion of the course, the student must request from the external institution that an official transcript be sent preferably electronically to registrar@seas.upenn.edu, or to the SEAS Office of Academic Services, 109 Towne, 220 S. 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104.

• A minimum grade of "C" is required for a course to be eligible for "credit away". The grade itself, however, will not appear on the Penn transcript.
• No credit will be granted for courses taken at two-year institutions (e.g. junior or community college).
• Penn summer courses and/or credit away may not exceed 4cu's per summer.
• Online courses are permissible but must meet the rigorous standards of Penn Engineering.
• No credit will be granted for The Green Program (TGP) study abroad
• No credit will be awarded for college-level coursework undertaken at other institutions while a student is enrolled in high school or in the summer after high school.
• Students on Leave of Absence may not take courses elsewhere for transfer into Penn.
• Failed courses may not be cleared by taking a course at another institution. 
• Students who have been Dropped by Penn may not take courses elsewhere for transfer back to Penn.
• Students who have transferred to Penn Engineering from another institution must complete at least one-half of the total courses required for graduation at Penn. Thus, transfer students are not eligible to take courses at another institution if five or more courses have been transferred into Penn.
• *Note: Students who entered before Fall 2020 may take up to 5 course units at other institutions- please see your program coordinator for more details.

Quaker Consortium

Penn Engineering students should note that a special program is available to them so that they may take courses at Quaker Consortium schools: Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore.

Curricular practical training (CPT) may be pursued by Penn Engineering international undergraduates before their graduation. CPT is intended to provide work experience in the U.S. in situations where the work serves as an integral part of a student's academic program and an established curriculum. If you have any questions regarding the CPT immigration status requirements, please email your ISSS advisor (listed on the iPenn page when you log in). Questions on the academic side for Engineering can be directed to registrar@seas.upenn.edu.

Usually completed in the summer term, CPT requires registration for-credit basis as part of the student's degree requirements. Students will be registered for EAS 0099  (0.25 CU, P/F Grade Type). Note that EAS 0099 may be used as Free Elective only, in fulfillment of the student's degree requirements. If the student fails to fulfill the terms of the course/proposal, the student will be issued an "F" for the course.  It is imperative that the student completes the work as proposed/outlined for the course during the CPT authorization period.

Procedures (to be completed in order):

1. Obtain an offer letter from an employer on company letterhead that is signed by your employer (digital signature is okay) that will verify the work you will do. The number of hours you will be working, the start and end date of the employment, and the internship location (onsite physical address or stating remote) must also be listed in the letter. The start date must start on or after the term begins, and the end date must end prior to the start of the next term. (Example: Summer internships must start after the last day of the Spring term and must end before the first day of the Fall term.)
   A sample offer letter can be found here. Please review the CPT checklist and use this as a guide to help you.
2. Identify an Engineering faculty member who will serve as your CPT advisor. Your advisor's area of work and specialization should substantially overlap with your proposed CPT work.
3. Complete and send the Engineering application CPT Form, employer’s offer letter, and your proposal* to your CPT advisor, all as one .pdf file (application form first) for their signature.
   • The project proposal (2 pages maximum) must include the following: an introduction, objective of the internship, results expected, manner of presentation of results (could be a final written report, presentation, demonstration, etc.), method of evaluation for project for grade (decided upon with your CPT advisor), and references (where appropriate).
4. Please submit the final signed documents to the OAS CPT upload page. Please allow a minimum of 7 business days for Engineering’s review of all documents.
   Upon final approval from Engineering, you will be registered for the course credit EAS 0099 (0.25 CU, P/F Grade Type).
5. Once step #4 is complete, you will receive an email to verify Engineering’s approval with the next steps you will need for requesting CPT online through International Student and Scholar Services using the online F-1 Curricular Practical Training Form. Do NOT complete this step until OAS gives you approval via email. Upon receiving Engineerings’s approval email, you must submit your iPenn form within 24 hours. Processing time by ISSS can be up to 7 business days. Students cannot begin work until they receive the CPT authorization from ISSS.

Additional Information

Processing delays: The CPT process can take up to two weeks for processing during the busiest times. Multiple offices and staff are reviewing your CPT at different stages. If all documents are in order sometimes it can take as little as five business days for processing. Please plan accordingly and give yourself at least a two week window prior to your start date to get all documents in and reviewed/approved on time.

Evaluation and grading: Your CPT Advisor will need to evaluate your work done either based on periodic reports submitted by you while undergoing the CPT, or based on such reports immediately after your return from the training. Note that your advisor may require some additional work beyond what was done during training, but the evaluation must be substantially based upon the training experience. CPT courses will be issued either an “P” grade or a “F” grade.

Requirement to Complete: All academic requirements for CPT must be completed within the term for which the student has registered for CPT. Failure to complete the CPT academic requirements would render the student’s employment/CPT “unauthorized” and be a violation of immigration status. For any student who receives a “F” grade, such sanctions may include forfeiture of the post-graduation OPT allotment and the possibility of working in the United States on any other visa.

Registration information: SEAS undergraduates may apply for CPT EAS 0099 more than once. But if a student exceeds 12 months of full-time CPT, their OPT will be forfeited. Please check with ISSS for more details.

Registering for a part-time CPT in Fall or Spring

Students may do a part-time CPT in either the Fall or Spring semesters. (Full-time CPT’s are only allowed during the Summer term. No exceptions.) A part-time CPT is defined as hours ranging from 5-20 hours. During this period, students must register for a full on-campus course load and have room for the 0.25 CU EAS 0099. Students must adhere to the course selection deadline for registration. The start date must be on or after the first day of that specific term and must end no later than the last day of that term. Term deadlines are always listed on the Academic Calendar. Students must follow all steps as outlined above.

Please note: Students are not allowed to participate in CPT in the semester in which they are graduating.

Many 5000-level courses are available for undergraduates. Some require approval of the advisor and the course instructor. To take a 6000 or higher level course, the student must submit a Permission to take a Course form with the required signatures. To take a 7000 level course, the student must also obtain the signatures of the Graduate Group Chair and the Associate Dean for Education. Taking such a course is a special privilege reserved for particularly capable students.

Note: 50% Rule - Undergraduate students should make sure 50% or more of their enrolled course units (CUs) in any single term satisfy requirements for their undergraduate degree. At no time should a student be taking more than half of their CUs at the graduate-level (5000+ level) in a single term. If more than 50% of enrolled CUs in a term are graduate-level course units, the student is not eligible for undergraduate financial aid in that term. The student may also run into issues with VISA and international compliance. Students should plan carefully with their academic advisors to avoid this scenario.

Independent Study is designed to provide the student with a unique learning experience not achievable by ordinary course work. You must identify a member of the University's Standing Faculty who is willing to direct your independent study and take responsibility for issuing your final grade.

Occasionally, you may wish to (or need to) undertake Independent Study credit as part of an Internship experience, in which case you must still produce a tangible, academically-based product for your grade and credit at the end of the internship. If approved, you will be registered for a "0099" course within your academic department (e.g. MEAM 0099) for 1.0 CU of credit, for a grade (not PF).

You must submit an application for Independent Study by the end of the Add/Course Selection period. Please access the Application for Independent Study on the forms page here.

Students are limited to 2.0 CUs of Independent Study within an Undergraduate Degree.

Note: In order to be eligible for a Penn Engineering Independent Study, students must be actively enrolled in an Engineering degree and/or major. Penn Engineering Independent Studies are not available to non-Engineering students or those only pursuing an Engineering minor.

Students who wish to undertake a senior design project that incorporates team members from multiple SEAS departments may pursue an Inter-Departmental Senior Design (ISD) project.

Deadline: August 15th before your senior year

Faculty Coordinator: Sid Deliwala

To Apply for an ISD Project

1.  Seek out and discuss your intended project with your project advisor. An advisor is a subject matter expert who provides technical or high-level guidance for the project. Often, they are faculty or staff associated with the host department. Reach out to the design leaders from your intended host department if you need help securing a project advisor.
2. Discuss your project theme and team composition with the design leader(s) from the intended host department. See the design leaders contact information section below for email addresses. You are encouraged to start these conversations early in the project identification and team formation process.
3. Discuss your team composition and project thrusts with the design leaders from the home department(s) of the ISD member(s).
4. Complete this ISD Declaration.docx. The document identifies the teammates (typically 3-5 recommended), host department, problem statement, potential solutions, and relationship between ISD student major(s) and project thrusts. The form requires endorsement from the host department design leader(s), the design leader(s) from the home department(s) of ISD students, and the project advisor. Endorsement may be in the form of signature or approval email.
5. Submit your ISD Declaration with signatures and/or email approvals attached to the end of the document as a single pdf file to seas-senior-design-leaders@lists.seas.upenn.edu. The subject line of the email should read “ISD Declaration - <Project Name> - <Host Department>”. For example, “ISD Declaration – Dynamic Materials for Acoustic Walls – MSE.” The pdf should be named similarly.
6. Teams combining only ESE and CIS majors and the related majors of CMPE, NETS, and SSE do not require ISD approval. Please reach out to the ESE and CIS design leaders to determine the most appropriate host department.

Design Leaders Contact Information

The following are contacts for all SEAS design leaders. General inquiries can be sent to seas-senior-design-leaders@lists.seas.upenn.edu

Course Enrollment, Grading, and Special Considerations

The entire team will register for the senior design course series (fall and spring) of the host department. The ISD team will follow the deliverables, presentations, and grading scheme of the host department’s senior design course series.

Teams combining only ESE and CIS majors and the related majors of CMPE, NETS, and SSE do not require ISD approval. Please reach out to the ESE and CIS design leaders to determine the most appropriate host department.

The CBE department will be unable to host ISD projects. If you are a CBE major participating in ISD, you must still take CBE 4000 in the fall semester of your senior year. You must also register for the host department’s senior design course in the fall semester. You may use this credit toward any engineering elective requirement in the CBE program. In the spring, you will enroll in the second senior design course in the host department, which will replace CBE 4590.

Engineering undergraduate students are permitted to take courses in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS). SEAS students are advised to discuss their course registration options with their advisor prior to registering. Note that some spaces may be reserved for LPS students until the first week of classes, and some classes have restricted enrollment for LPS students only.

Permits to register, if required, are usually available through LPS (Academic Advising 215-898-7326 ) rather than the academic department offering the course. SEAS students may direct questions about LPS enrollment policies for specific courses to the LPS office.

Penn Engineering students may enroll in courses at Bryn Mawr, Haverford or Swarthmore College during the fall and spring terms of the academic year. These three schools along with Penn constitute the Quaker Consortium and have a reciprocal agreement for course credit and tuition, i.e., grades will appear on the student's Penn transcript, and no additional tuition will be charged.

The TriCollege Course Guide lists course offerings at the three schools.

Students from Bryn Mawr, Haverford or Swarthmore College wishing to enroll in Penn Engineering courses should do so through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. Registration instructions are available online.