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Graduate Study
Advanced Study in Humanities and Social Sciences
Students may explore an interest in humanities or social science research early in their careers by taking a Freshman Seminar or a Benjamin Franklin Seminar. As they explore their majors, students should consider fields they might want to do graduate study in, taking opportunities to enroll in research methods courses and seminars in those fields (even if they are not part of the student’s major). They should also take advantage of the Undergraduate Research Directory and the many other resources for undergraduate research available through the College website.
Advanced Study in Science
Penn offers much to the student who wishes to study science at the highest levels. Those who wish to major in one of the natural sciences, should take courses in that discipline in their first semester. Students should speak with the undergraduate chair of the department that interests them as they plan their first year.
Students who successfully completed advanced work in science and math in high school may wish to take two science courses as well as math in their first semester. These students may request permission to take 5.5 c.u. from their pre-major advisor, or from a College advisor in 120 Logan Hall. Students talented in science should consider preparing for a Ph.D. program. It is extremely important to get as much advanced coursework and research experience as possible. Since the common language of science is math, and the common unit of study for most sciences has become the molecule, it is important to begin the study of math, chemistry and physics early in an undergraduate career.