Dual Degree Curriculum

The LSM curriculum weaves three elements--the business education of Wharton, life science and liberal arts classes from the College, as well as distinctive LSM courses--into an interdisciplary course of study, leading to the completion of two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in a science major and a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

Members of the LSM Class of 2010, 2011, and 2012 may still view the former, single degree LSM curriculum (Life Sciences Track or Management Track). All others should continue reading this page for a full description of the dual degree. All LSM students starting with the Class of 2013 must follow the dual degree curriculum.


LSM COURSES

The LSM curriculum features two unique courses that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the program.  All LSM students participate in an Introductory Proseminar (LSMP 121) in their first semester, which examines issues in the management of life science enterprises in the United States and other market-based economies.  Students also engage in a Capstone Project (LSMP 421) during their senior year.  The capstone entails developing a business plan and marketing strategy for a novel scientific research project. In addition to these academic courses, LSM students also have the opportunity to enjoy special guest lectures, which are organized by the program throughout every academic year.


WHARTON COURSES

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics (B.S.), LSM students must complete the Wharton Undergraduate Curriculum, as outlined below.

Econ/Math Requirements

The B.S. curriculum begins with three general education courses that serve as the foundation for business courses:

  • ECON 010 (Micro/Macroeconomics)
  • BPUB 250 (Managerial Economics)
  • MATH 104 (Calculus I)

    Business Fundamentals

    The core of the business curriculum consists of nine "Business Fundamentals" that provide students with critical tools for analyzing business documents and making business decisions:

  • ACCT 101 (Principles of Accounting I)
  • ACCT 102 (Principles of Accounting II)
  • FNCE 100 (Corporate Finance)
  • FNCE 101 (Monetary Economics & the Global Economy)
  • STAT 101 (Introductory Business Statistics I)
  • STAT 102 (Introductory Business Statistics II)
  • MGMT 101 (Introduction to Management)
  • MKTG 101 (Introduction to Marketing)
  • OPIM 101 (Introduction to the Computer as an Analysis Tool)

Leadership

An additional course, MGMT 100 (Leadership and Communication in Groups), helps students develop teamwork and public speaking skills. It typically is taken in the fall semester of the freshman year.

Environment of Business

Students must take 1 of the following 3 courses that address the “Societal Environment” in which business organizations function:

  • LGST 101 (Introduction to Law and Legal Process)
  • LGST 210 (Corporate Responsibility and Ethics)
  • BPUB 203 (Business in the Global Political Environment)

    Business Depth & Breadth

    The introductory business courses set the stage for the business concentration, for which students take 4 courses in the area of business study that interests them most.  These are upper-level courses that deepen the knowledge students have gained from their “Business Fundamentals.”

    Students also expand their business education by completing 3 “Business Breadth” courses: three classes from three different business departments.  No courses from the same department as a student’s business concentration may count toward the Business Breadth requirement. LSMP 121 counts as one of these Business Breadth courses; students must complete two others to finish the requirement.

    Non-Business, Non-Science Electives

    For the B.S. degree, students must take 4 electives that are neither science nor business courses: 2 Global Electives and 2 General Education Electives. In completing these 4 electives, at least 2 must be taken at Penn, and up to 2 AP credits (1 Global, 1 General Education) may be used. Students may double-count these electives with the "College Sector" requirements for the B.A. degree, as described below.


    COLLEGE COURSES

    The Major

    The major is the centerpiece of the B.A. degree; LSM students must complete a major in the life sciences.  Within the Department of Biology, students may follow a general Biology major, or they can pursue a more specialized area of interest, including Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Computational/Mathematical Biology.  More information about all of these fields can be found in the Biology Major Manual.  LSM participants may also consider a major in Biochemistry or the Biological Basis of Behavior.  Students wishing to major in a scientific discipline outside of these options may do so only with the permission of the LSM program directors.

    General Education Curriculum

    Students gain a broader education beyond their major by completing the College’s General Education Curriculum (GEC).  The GEC is composed of three elements.

1) Sector Requirements.  The College has identified five sectors (fields of study) that are essential to gaining a liberal arts education:

  • Sector I: Society
  • Sector II: History & Tradition
  • Sector III: Arts & Letters
  • Sector IV: Living World
  • Sector V: Physical World

All students must take one course in each of these sectors.  Science major courses can fulfill the Living World and Physical World sectors.  ECON 010, which is required of all LSM students, will satisfy the Society sector.  But students will need to integrate courses from Sector II and Sector III into their schedules.

2) Interdisciplinary Explorations.  The GEC recognizes that people today must be able to think across disciplines.  Therefore, students are required to take two interdisciplinary courses: one that covers the Humanities & Social Sciences, and one that deals with the Natural Sciences & Mathematics.

3) Approaches to Learning.  The GEC seeks to help students develop six critical skills for life-long learning.  These are:

  • Writing Skills
  • Cross Cultural Analysis
  • Cultural Diversity in the U.S. (only for Class of 2012 and after)
  • Foreign Language Competency
  • Quantitative Data Analysis
  • Formal Reasoning & Analysis

Students fulfill the Writing requirement by taking one Critical Writing Seminar.  They also must take one Cross Cultural Analysis course, from among the options listed in the College Handbook.  Keep in mind that many Sector II (History & Tradition) and Sector III (Arts & Letters) courses can be double-counted to satisfy the Cross Cultural Analysis requirement. Starting with the Class of 2012, students also will have to take a course that explores Cultural Diversity in the U.S. As with the Cross Cultural Anaysis course, the Cultural Diversity course may be double-counted with a sector requirement.

For the Foreign Language requirement, students must demonstrate language proficiency either by passing a language department examination, excelling in an AP, SAT II, or IB test, or taking appropriate language courses (typically up to the intermediate level of study).  The proficiency requirements for a particular foreign language can be found by clicking here.

LSM students can complete the Quantitative Data Analysis and Formal Reasoning & Analysis requirements (one course each) either by science major courses or business courses that are part of the LSM program.

NOTE: As part of the requirements for the B.A. degree, students must complete at least 14 c.u. of "College Electives." College Electives are any College courses taken outside a student's major. Non-major courses taken as part of the GEC, as well as any AP credit not applied toward the major, all count as College Electives. Students are encouraged to speak with their advisor to ensure the fulfilment of this requirement.


STUDY ABROAD

Study abroad definitely is possible for LSM students. Students who attend a Wharton-approved study abroad program may take courses that count toward the Business Breadth requirement as well as non-science/non-business electives. The Department of Biology website identifies several recommended programs through which students can take upper-level science courses. Students also can use the program search feature on the Office of International Programs site to find schools abroad that offer classes relevant to bioscience majors. LSM students who do not wish to spend an entire semester or year abroad, but who want to gain some international experience, might consider doing one of the Wharton International Programs during the summer.

All together, LSM students take a mix of science, general education, and business courses throughout their four years, and graduate from Penn not only with both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, but with a strong liberal arts background too.