Policies Governing Courses

Some professors and departments are very strict about class attendance; others do not consider it part of the grading system. If the instructor determines a student has an excessive number of absences, the student’s final grade may be lowered. Some departments, the foreign languages in particular, have very precise rules for attendance.  Read more >>

In addition to the courses approved for the various sectors, one freshman seminar may be used as a substitute for a course on the relevant sector list.

• No instructor may hold a final examination nor require the submission of a take-home final exam except during the period in which final examinations are scheduled; when necessary, exceptions to this policy may be granted for postponed examinations.
• No final examinations may be scheduled during the last week of classes or on reading days.
• No student may be required to take more than two final examinations on any calendar day during the period in which final examinations are scheduled. If more than two are scheduled, the student may postpone the middle exam. If a take-home final exam is due on a day when two final examinations are scheduled, the take-home exam shall be postponed by one day.
• Examinations that are postponed because of conflicts with other examinations, or because more than two examinations are scheduled in the same day, may be taken at another time during the final examinations period if the faculty member and student can agree on that time. Otherwise, they must be taken during the official period for postponed examinations.
• Examinations that are postponed because of illness, a death in the family, for religious observance or some other unusual event, may be taken only during the official periods: the first week of the spring and fall semesters. Students who have such an issue should call the College Office at 215.898.6341 immediately.
• No classes or required class activities may be held during the reading period.
• Final exams for College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) courses must be given on the regular class meeting night during the week of final examinations. No change in scheduling is permitted without unanimous consent of all students in the class and the director of LPS. An LPS final exam may not be administered during the last week of class or on a reading day.

For the full policy on final exams, refer to the PennBook.

Courses numbered 500-599 are designed as mixed courses primarily for graduate students. Permission of the instructor is required for registration by undergraduates in these courses; however, registration for courses numbered 600 and above requires permission of the instructor, a letter from the chair of the department in which the course is offered, and the endorsement of the Dean of the College.

A College course is any course offered by a department or program in the School of Arts and Sciences or the Communications Department.

The following are considered college courses:

• A.P. credits (except those designated CIS or STAT)
• Transfer credits given by College departments
• LPS courses Students who are unclear as to whether a given course is in the College should consult with an assistant dean for advising.

Courses from departments and programs in the following schools are non-College:

In addition, transfer credits given by non-College departments are considered non-College courses.

The College does not give any credit for ROTC or Preceptorial courses.

Under certain circumstances special permission may be required to register for a course. Department/Program coordinators may enter such permits into the system, enabling the student to register for that course through Penn InTouch. As soon as the Course Selection period begins, an unclaimed permit is dropped in the nightly update of the system.

College students may not register for courses as auditors. However, with the approval of the instructor they may sit in unregistered on courses offered in the University. These courses will not appear on students' records. Some departments do not allow this type of informal audit.

Students who receive an F in a course may retake the course for credit. Both the new grade and the original F will be tabulated into the final g.p.a. and a credit unit will be awarded if the student receives a passing grade. Read more >>

Students may drop a class before the end of the first five weeks of the semester by using Penn InTouch. Failure to attend a course does not automatically result in being dropped from the course. Courses that are dropped will no longer appear on a student’s transcript.

Students may withdraw from a course with the instructor’s permission between the 5th and the 10th week of the semester. Read more >>

Students considering either a drop or a withdrawal should speak with an advisor before taking any action and should be aware of the risks of being enrolled in fewer than 4 c.u. Read more >>

Students should understand that failure to enroll in at least 4 c.u., or dropping or withdrawing below that number of credits, may have adverse effects in a variety of circumstances. The most common concerns are for

College of Arts and Sciences students may enroll in courses at Penn during the summer. Such courses appear in the body of the transcript, and the grades earned count toward the student's g.p.a.

There are two 6-week summer sessions as well as a 12-week evening session. Each session has its own deadlines related to adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a course, as well as to possible tuition refunds. 

It is important to note that the tuition charged for a summer course depends on the school at Penn in which the course is housed. Tuition for courses taken in schools other than the School of Arts and Sciences may be charged at a higher rate.