have the opportunity to explore and broaden their understanding of business through a curriculum designed to challenge and enrich them at every level.  Penn also offers diverse dual-degree programs and leading joint-degree programs in global business, engineering, and nursing; minors in every undergraduate school; many scholarship and fellowship opportunities; independent study; undergraduate research; and study abroad programs.

Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF)

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships seeks to provide information, advice, resources, and encouragement for all undergraduates at Penn seeking more than just a superior classroom education. Penn fosters students’ individual research initiatives and encourages all undergraduates to seek prestigious fellowships to continue their scholarship at the graduate level.  For more information, please see the Across the University section or www.upenn.edu/curf.

Independent Study

Independent study can be a valuable enhancement to the Wharton curriculum, allowing the pursuit of a specific topic of interest not available in regularly offered courses. If interested in taking an independent study class, the first task is to formulate an idea for a project. Then, find a professor in a related field who thinks it is a worthwhile project and agrees to supervise it. The professor will provide guidance and take ultimate responsibility for the student’s grade.

Independent study usually is limited to juniors and seniors, as worthwhile research projects presuppose some formal academic background in the area of study; freshmen and sophomores may petition the Petitions Committee for approval to undertake an independent study. Independent study courses may not be taken pass/fail. Independent study projects are limited to a total of two within Wharton, two in non-Wharton departments and only one per semester. A 3.4 overall GPA and the completion of 24 cu’s is necessary to pursue an independent study.  A written description of the project must be submitted to the Petitions Committee in the Undergraduate Division for final approval if a student does not meet these requirements.

Individualized Concentrations

Some students find, after thoroughly examining options currently available, that the standard concentrations do not satisfy their interests or goals. These students should explore the possibility of designing an individualized concentration, consisting of at least four Wharton courses that are united by a common theme.

To pursue this option, a student should first consult with an academic advisor in

An established concentration can be tailored more to the student’s interests by substituting a required course with one not on the list of courses that traditionally defines the concentration. Approval from a relevant Wharton faculty advisor must be granted and then a petition submitted to the Petitions Committee in the Undergraduate Division for final approval.

Dual Concentrations

To complete a dual concentration, the requirements of two Wharton concentrations must be satisfied. In most cases, students use their Unrestricted Electives to pursue this option.  Because this reduces the total number of arts and sciences courses that one can take, students should consider carefully before deciding to take more than one concentration.  Students may not double-count between concentrations.

Departmental and University Minors

Wharton undergraduates are encouraged to pursue a minor in addition to their concentration. Departmental and University (interschool) minors are available in colleges and schools across the Penn campus, including Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering and Applied Science, Fine Arts, and Nursing. Departmental minors usually require six to eight courses in a particular field of study and are governed by individual academic programs and departments.

University minors combine six to eight courses from more than one college or school, offering a cross-disciplinary academic experience. The participating academic departments jointly govern these interschool programs. Wharton-related University minors include Actuarial Mathematics, American Public Policy, Biological Basis of Behavior and Health Services Management, Consumer Psychology, Legal Studies and History, Nursing and Health Services Management, Organizations and Environmental Management, and Urban Real Estate and Development.

Courses for a minor may overlap with any part of the Wharton undergraduate curriculum. A carefully planned program of study allows a Wharton student to complete a minor within the Wharton curriculum. Students should plan as early as they can to ensure that the minor can be completed in a timely manner.