|
receive credit for the course.
Upon receipt of the transcript and the proper transfer
credit forms, the home School will enter the course(s)
and grade(s) onto the body of the Penn transcript.
Grades are calculated into the Penn GPA.
Consortium agreements do not apply to summer
school (which is treated as credit away) or to
full-time study at Quaker Consortium schools (which
must be done on a leave of absence from Penn;
therefore, the courses would not be transferable and
tuition would be paid to the other institution).
PennAdvance
PennAdvance is an online learning
opportunity that allows qualified students to earn
credit for Penn courses through their home computer.
PennAdvance courses are completely
Internet-based, with communication, learning tools, and
academic resources available 24 hours a day through a
course website. Class sessions include live
lecture and discussion delivered with real-time video
and chat. Between classes, the learning
experience is extended through office hours, threaded
discussions, and pre-recorded videos. Recent
offerings have included courses in Anthropology, Art
History, Biology, Economics, English, Environmental
Studies, and Mathematics, and have been taught by some
of Penn’s most innovative instructors.
College students, adult students, and
academically talented high school students from the
United States and beyond take PennAdvance online.
Detailed course descriptions and schedules,
instructor biographies, and information about technical
requirements and technical support are provided online
at www.advance.upenn.edu.
HONORS AND RESEARCH
Undergraduate Research
As a major research institution,
Penn provides diverse opportunities for undergraduate
students to perform research. Students can enhance
their educational experiences and critical thinking
abilities by taking advantage of these resources.
Research skills can help prepare students for graduate
school and future employment. For these reasons, the
University encourages research in all fields of study.
The options described below provide some starting
points for undergraduates interested in exploring
research opportunities.
Center for Undergraduate Research
and Fellowships (CURF)
The Center for Undergraduate
Research and Fellowships (CURF) seeks to provide
information, advice, resources, and encouragement for
all undergraduates at Penn seeking a research
experience to supplement their classroom education.
Penn fosters students’ individual research
initiatives and encourages all undergraduates to seek
fellowships to continue their scholarship at the
graduate level. CURF includes within it the University
Scholars program, for students pursuing a high level of
independent research and course work; the Benjamin
|
Franklin Scholars program, for
academically creative students working at a high level of
excellence; and a fellowship center. It also sponsors a
research directory and several sources of funding for
undergraduate research. CURF hosts many research
presentations by student groups such as the University
Scholars, McNair Scholars and Fontaine Scholars. CURF
maintains an online searchable database of University faculty
members who wish to sponsor undergraduates in research and also administers several grants that
aid undergraduates in their research endeavors. CURF
provides a website with links to all pertinent information
at www.upenn.edu/curf.
The Benjamin Franklin Scholars
Program
The Benjamin Franklin Scholars
(BFS) program exists to encourage the highest level of
scholarship from its students. Benjamin Franklin
Scholars are expected to take charge of the whole of
their education and to take academic risks. The
BFS program offers three main avenues to support this
active learning: advising, research, and Benjamin
Franklin seminars. Benjamin Franklin Scholars are
strongly encouraged to continue their studies after
their undergraduate careers come to a close. After
graduation, many BFS students obtain grants for
independent research and scholarships for graduate
study. There is an informal network of nearly 4,000 BFS
alumni.
Some students are selected for
the BFS program based on their initial application for
admission to the University. This selection is based on
high school records, overall excellence of the Penn
application and other signs of serious academic
interests. Intellectually ambitious students
already on campus are also strongly encouraged to
apply. Applications are accepted after students have
been at Penn for one semester, up to the end of their
sophomore year. More information is available at www.upenn.edu/curf/bfs/admission.html. Students planning to apply to
the program are strongly advised to take one or more
BFS seminars in advance of this application.
Benjamin Franklin Seminars
Approximately 50-60 Benjamin
Franklin seminars are offered each year. These small
courses are challenging seminars with a focus on
research and readings from primary sources.
Students who are members of the Benjamin Franklin
Scholars program (see above) have automatic access to
the seminars, but some spots in each course are open to
all undergraduates. A current list is available online
at www.upenn.edu/curf/bfs/courses.html. The Benjamin Franklin Scholars
program is part of CURF (The Center for Undergraduate
Research and Fellowships), 3601 Locust Walk, 2nd floor.
|
