Academic planning covers a wide range of topics, including choosing a major, registering for classes, and defining career goals. While the ultimate decision rests with you, the student, the Penn Engineering undergraduate advising system is designed to support and guide you while making these important choices.

Penn Engineering undergraduates have many advising resources available to them. The following list outlines the primary resources and how they are differentiated.

You can also review our Quick Access Flow Chart on Who Should I Go To?

Orientation Peer Advisors (OPAs): 

All incoming first-year students are assigned an OPA in the summer prior to their first semester at Penn. OPAs are Engineering upperclassmen who are trained to mentor incoming students and assist with course selection and general questions.

Faculty Advisor:

Every student with a declared major has an assigned faculty advisor. Assignments are distributed around the first day of classes. The faculty advisor is the best source for information about “big picture topics,” such as electives within the major, research opportunities, and options for graduate study. Your faculty advisor’s name and email address can be found in Path@Penn.

Students must meet with their faculty advisor every semester during advance registration to discuss their academic plan for the upcoming semester.

Undergraduate Coordinator:

The Undergraduate Coordinator, usually located in the department office, is familiar with the specific requirements for the major, and has a detailed understanding of how the system at Penn works. They can also advise students on second major and minor options offered by the department. The Undergraduate Coordinators also perform the graduation audits. Undergraduate Coordinators for each department are listed on the Penn Engineering undergraduate website.

Undergraduate Curriculum Chair:

The faculty Undergraduate Chair oversees the curriculum and is an excellent source of information about choosing a major. Undergraduate Curriculum Chairs for each department are listed on the Penn Engineering undergraduate website.

Office of Academic Services (OAS) Advisors:

The advisors in 109 Towne are the ones to take questions about dual degrees, transferring, deviations from degree requirements, and other school-level issues. They also advise curriculum-deferred students. This office oversees school-level policy & procedures, academic performance & student progress. Drop-in advising and more information can be found on the Penn Engineering undergraduate website.

For questions and information regarding study abroad, please reach out to Dr. Sonya Gwak – sgwak@seas.upenn.edu

Career Services:

Penn’s Career Services advisors can help with matters related to professional development such as internship searches, resume best practices and interviewing tips. They have advisors who specialize in Engineering as well as Pre-Professional and Pre-Graduate advisors.

Accelerated Masters:

Students with questions about the Accelerated Master's programs are encouraged to connect with graduate advisors.

Changing or declaring your engineering major (aka Field of Study) is a simple process. You will need to complete the Declare/Update Field of Study form. You should complete the form following the prompted instructions. You will need to meet with your current academic advisor as well as the Undergraduate Chair of the program into which you are moving.

Note:

The entering year determines the specific requirements to satisfy the BAS or BSE degree.  The entering year is determined from the catalog year that you entered Penn.  Students who entered Penn prior to Fall 2020 will not be allowed to switch to the “Entered Fall 2020 or later” Curriculum.  There will be no exceptions.

Students may not declare Digital Media Design (DMD) or Networked and Social Systems Engineering (NETS).  Students must complete the application process for these limited enrollment majors.

Faculty Advisors are reassigned as necessary to assure a close relation between the areas of interest of the student and advisor. A student may request a change of advisor at any time by seeing their academic department's Undergraduate Coordinator.

Choosing your major does not need to be a daunting task.  Many of our  First Year students enter as Curriculum Deferred (undecided major).  Curriculum Deferred (CD) students must declare by the end of the first year.

It is recommended that undecided students define a list of all possible majors of interest. Based on the requirements for each of these programs, students should select courses that will keep their options open for as long as possible. This is easy to do for the first year, but gets increasingly difficult over time. You should also be sure to meet with the Undergraduate Chair for each of your interested majors.

Each year at pre-registration time, the school offers informational seminars on choosing your major. Watch for announcements concerning these programs. Also, Career Services occasionally offers seminars to help students select a major.

• If you are Curriculum Deferred and you are ready to declare a major/curriculum, click here.
• If you have already declared a major/curriculum but would like to CHANGE to something different, please complete the PATH form - Declare/ Update Field of Study.

Check Out Intro to Engineering 

If you know you want to be an engineer, but need help determining which field of study to pursue, Intro to Engineering (ENGR 1010) is for you. ENGR 1010 is a hands-on introduction to all branches of engineering at Penn. The course centers on a series of laboratory experiences in each department from Bioengineering to Systems Science and Engineering. Use ENGR 1010 to discover what field of engineering interests you most.

Undergraduate Programs By Department

To access a list of Penn Engineering departments and links to their programs, click here.